Anyone from Saskatoon?

[momof2gr8kids]

We will be travelling for my daughter's sporting event and staying a week in the summer.

Looking at the Gordon Howe Campground - seems close to everything. Anyone have any comments - good or bad about it? Any others seem to be further out.

Can anyone recommend a good suite style hotel or company that rents houses by the week?

Is there a college / university residence that has suites for families?

TIA.

 

[Gigi22]

DH is from Saskatoon, but we haven't been back for years. Not sure about the campgrounds. I'll ask DH later today.
The University of Saskatchewan rents single and double rooms to vacationers from May 10-Aug. 16 inclusive. Their info. is at: http://www.usask.ca/hospitality/summer_accommodations/index.php
There is a Country Inn & Suites Hotel in Saskatoon. Other than that, Travelocity is likely your best bet for finding suite hotels.
No idea about any company that might rent houses by the week. There's been a real estate boom in the area, so I am not sure there would be anything available on a weekly basis.

 

[SkRiderMom]

Being from the area makes it hard to recommend campgrounds or hotels because I never need to use them. Where is her event taking place? Several of the campgrounds just outside of the city may be just as close depending on where you need to go. Nothing is really all that far in Saskatoon. I have never heard any complaints about Gordie Howe campground, one family I know stays there every summer while their kids are in swimming lessons at one of the city pools.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Harry Baily Aquatic centre is where we will be (I think!)

Is Pike Lake Provincial Park close? I google mapped it, but not sure if that's an office or the actual campground. Seems super close.

I don't think the residences would work. With 5 of us it would end up being $200/nite. I think we'll just pull our trailer. Grandmas might come as well, which is why we thought a house would be good so they wouldn't have to get a hotel and we could all be together.

Thanks.

 

[SkRiderMom]

Pike Lake is about 20 minutes from Saskatoon. If you are going to be at Harry Bailey I think that staying at the 16 west RV park might be your best bet. It is just outside the city, probably a 10 minute drive to Harry Bailey on a really simple direct route.For the Grandma's there are several hotels directly on your route to the pool. In fact there is a Motel 6 very close to the campground. Gordie Howe is across the city and you'd have to deal with more traffic. Gordie Howe is probably a more attractive campground though.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Pike Lake is about 20 minutes from Saskatoon. If you are going to be at Harry Bailey I think that staying at the 16 west RV park might be your best bet. It is just outside the city, probably a 10 minute drive to Harry Bailey on a really simple direct route.For the Grandma's there are several hotels directly on your route to the pool. In fact there is a Motel 6 very close to the campground. Gordie Howe is across the city and you'd have to deal with more traffic. Gordie Howe is probably a more attractive campground though.

Thanks. Booked Gordie Howe for now, may change depending on what the rest of the group ends up deciding on. There's a golf course right beside GH and an outdoor pool within walking distance for some of the other siblings and dh's that are dragged along on this trip!

Any fun things that are must do's for kids 7-10? Or tweens? Nearby beaches? Outdoorsy stuff?

 

[Gigi22]

You might want to drive over to Watrous one day, it was known as "the Carlsbad Springs of the North" at one point. There's a cottage community there, and an inland salt water lake, Manitou Lake. There's a hotel and pool with water from the lake. (I think there's a community pool too). If anyone in your party suffers from arthritis, they may want to check out the heated pool.
You can also just swim in the lake. It is quite briny, swimmers bob like corks just standing upright. You need to shower thoroughly after getting out of the lake because you are covered in salt.

 

[SkRiderMom]

Watrous is over an hours drive from Saskatoon, not sure if you want to travel that far afield?

Pike Lake would be the closest beach although some people have been known to use the riverbank.

It's been awhile since I've been in that area but I do not recall Riversdale pool being within walking distance, nearby yes.

Holiday Park is a very nice golf course.

Places I'd recommend visiting-
Wanuskewin Heritage Park http://www.wanuskewin.com/ -a national historic site on the banks of the South Saskatchewan river just north if the city

Western Development Museum http://www.wdm.ca/stoon.html kids of all ages are usually impressed by their first view of 1910 Boomtown. If you'll be here July 14 & 15 consider taking in Pionera, it is a wonderful event.

Foresty Farm Park and Zoo http://www.saskatoonzoosociety.ca/ we make at least one visit a year

A walk along the Meewasin trails in downtown Saskatoon is always enjoyable if your family enjoys that kind of thing.

Beaver Creek conservation area is just south of the city as well

I'll ask my kids (13 & 10) what they think are the best things to do in Saskatoon and let you know