SASKATOON — Another neighbourhood in Saskatoon that encompasses history and character. Records date back to the early 1900’s when Saskatoon’s Sutherland community was once a town of its own. In fact, Sutherland was once a village of 103 incorporated near the Canadian Pacific Railway Yards east of Saskatoon. It was named after William Charles Sutherland, a Saskatoon town councillor. When the population reached 1,000, the community was incorporated as a town.
On Jan. 1, 1956, the community joined the city of Saskatoon, and all street names were changed, with numbered streets going in opposite direction.
The popular tourist attraction now known as Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo was once Sutherland Forestry Farm, and was officially transferred to the City of Saskatoon in 1966.
Residents enjoy the convenience of nearby supermarkets, eateries and coffee shops as well as easy access to primary schools and daycares on foot. However, there are no high schools in this part of the city.
Sutherland touts it’s tranquil and slower-paced environment with well distributed parks for outdoor experiences. Mature trees are another great accent to the community’s ambience.
The established Saskatoon neighborhood includes a mix of historic and modern dwellings. Active people love the suitability for biking and walking; Nearby highways are easy to reach from any location in the area.
Because Sutherland’s early beginnings were borne out of being a railway town, street signs include a locomotive engine to reflect that proud history.
The Sutherland Business Improvement District (BID) was created by Bylaw 9845 of the City of Saskatoon and runs from 107th Street to 115th Street on Central Avenue, as well as includes Gray Avenue.
Like many Saskatoon communities, Sutherland has a combined community association with the neighboring Forest Grove community. In 1984, the Sutherland-Forest Grove Community Association was founded with the goal of promoting and assisting in educational, recreational and social programs for families in these two neighborhoods https://sutherlandforestgrove.ca/
The Powe House once belonged to James Powe and family homesteaded in the area and their grand house stands on the present-day corner of Central Avenue and 115th Street. Built from local fieldstone, the basement walls are as thick as 24 inches.
Sutherland was initially built up as CPR yards and the station was constructed there, still standing today. The first settler was a CPR timekeeper, storekeeper and building inspector. In 1908, the City of Saskatoon forged an agreement to supply water to the yards.
The first rink was built in 1910, know as Sutherland Curling club, which is still an integral part of winter recreation and community identity today.
Access to Sutherland was further facilitated by completion of the north leg of Circle Drive in 1983, and the Attridge Drive link, which was a major arterial branch off Circle Drive that also linked with Preston.
Once surrounding neighbourhoods began developing east of Sutherland, it was no longer considered the city’s eastern edge.
Parks and recreation cover approximately 25 acres of Sutherland included in eight community parks.
Since the founding of Sutherland, almost all commercial activity has been located on its main street, Central Avenue.
Newer commercial development in the nearby University Heights Suburban Centre neighbourhood and Preston Crossing big-box complex caused a dramatic increase in Sutherland's commercial vacancy rate in the mid-2000s. In 2007, Saskatoon's city council held off further commercial development in the northeast, to halt a further decline in the business district.
Sutherland is located within the University Heights Suburban Development Area, bounded by Attridge Drive to the north, College Drive to the south, Central Avenue to the east and Circle Drive to the west.
A landmark structure includes the well-known, 72-year-old business, Dutch Growers. It originated in Sutherland’s neighborhood in 1953, founded by Dutch immigrants Arie and Adrie VanDuyvendyk. What began as a nursery has grown into a thriving, multi-generational lifestyle store and greenhouse.
Dutch Growers has been a significant part of Saskatoon history, while also serving as a focal point for the Sutherland neighborhood.
