Riversdale condo developer 'disappointed' with loss of neighbourhood's farmers market

The developer behind a large condo project in Saskatoon's Riversdale area says he's disappointed there's no longer a farmers' market right across the street.  

"One of the reasons I originally felt the heart and soul of Riversdale was because of that [market]," said Chris Lefevre, the CEO and president of Lefevre and Company. "The farmers' market in any city is something that brings communities and people together on a peaceful basis." 

The Saskatoon Farmers' Market Co-operative left 120 Sonnenschein Way last month when its lease with the City of Saskatoon expired. The exit followed an impasse with the city over how to further animate the site, which was occupied by the market three days a week. 

Lefevre said one of the reasons his company built 134 units at The Banks development was because of the market right next door. 

"I looked upon that news in a very negative light," Lefevre said of the co-op's departure to a new site near the Saskatoon airport.

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"[I] was disappointed for those residents that live in the area and also those citizens that have come down there on a Saturday and sat outside and enjoyed the market."

City searches for new tenants

On Nov. 8, the city issued a request for proposals (RFP) from potential operators of the site formerly occupied by the co-op. The RFP required groups to "fully utilize this community asset and animate the facility for six or more days a week, including a minimum of two days farmers' market component with a focus on local produce and content," according to the city's website. 

The window for proposals closed on Dec. 31. 

The city declined to say how many groups submitted a proposal.

"I'm a betting man and I'd say it's not very many, if any," Lefevre said. "That type of project takes money. It takes energy and it takes risk and the rewards aren't necessarily that big. So to me it's really sad that the thing has fallen apart."

Lefevre said economic circumstances have changed since the city first put out an RFP in 2018. The city had to eventually cancel that RFP because of problems with the market building roof, which is now being repaired.

"You've got a changed economy. It's not as vibrant and people aren't willing to take risks the way they did several years ago when the economy was on a much higher pitch."

Restaurateur Dale MacKay out

Saskatoon restaurateur Dale MacKay previously told CBC News that he and and his business partners had put in a proposal under the original 2018 RFP process.

But MacKay confirmed Monday that his group did not bid on the new RFP. 

"[It] just doesn't fit into our group's five-year plan any longer," MacKay said via text.

According to the city's website, "A report will be presented to city council for information once a lease has been agreed to. It is anticipated this will occur in March 2020."

Lefevre said he's put the word out that he's willing to free up some temporary, commercial, rent-free space in The Banks on a trial basis.

"As I sit here now, that isn't a fish that's on the line, for whatever reason," he said.