Westmount, Saskatoon

Westmount is an older inner city neighbourhood located near the centre of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It mostly consists of low-density, single detached dwellings. As of 2009, the area is home to 2,232 residents. The neighbourhood is considered a lower-income area, with an average family income of $44,729, an average dwelling value of $162,491 and a home ownership rate of 68.9%.[1] According to MLS data, the average sale price of a home as of 2013 was $207,347.[2]

Westmount
Neighbourhood
Westmount School
Courtesy of the Westmount Community Association
Westmount location map
Coordinates: 52°07′57″N 106°41′11″W
Country Canada
Province Saskatchewan
CitySaskatoon
Suburban Development AreaCore Neighbourhoods
NeighbourhoodWestmount
Settled1884
Incorporated (as Saskatoon)1906
Construction1906–1960
Government
 • TypeMunicipal (Ward 2)
 • Administrative bodySaskatoon City Council
 • CouncillorHilary Gough
Area
 • Total1.72 km2 (0.66 sq mi)
Population
 (2009)
 • Total2,232
 • Density1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
 • Average Income
$44,729
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
Websitewestmountcommunity.net

History

The area that now makes up Westmount was settled by homesteaders in 1884, as the east bank settlement of Saskatoon struggled for survival.[3] A settler named Archibald L. Brown was one such landowner, owning a section of land where Westmount School would later be built.[4] The neighbourhood was within the city limits when the City of Saskatoon incorporated in 1906. At that time it was the city's northwest corner, hence the name. The streets in Westmount are named for early settlers of the Saskatoon area,[5] and most of the houses were built prior to 1960.[1]

The neighbourhood appeared on a surveyors' map in 1911.[6] The current boundaries of Westmount include some of an area called Ruskin Place, which appears on a 1913 map of registered subdivisions.[7]

Westmount School was opened on April 3, 1913.[6] It was designed by architect David Webster, who designed six of Saskatoon's Collegiate Gothic style elementary schools between 1910 and 1914. E.D. Feehan High School was opened in 1967, and named in honour of Edward Daniel Feehan, a former superintendent of separate schools in Saskatoon.[8] It is designated a bilingual English and Ukrainian school, and also has classes in Cree and Spanish.

McMillan Avenue, which forms part of Westmount's western boundary, is named for Frank McMillan. He was a Toronto businessman who moved to Saskatoon, owned several successful businesses, and built several landmark buildings downtown. He would serve as Saskatoon's mayor and later a Member of Parliament.[8]

Development prior to 1927 was haphazard, which sometimes resulted in irregularity between neighbourhood streets between Westmount and Caswell Hill. In 1927, the first formal town planning board was established. Westmount was zoned Residence A District, which limited development to one and two-family houses of no more than two-and-a-half storeys.[6]

In its recent history, Westmount has become a lower-income inner city neighbourhood. It and other core neighbourhoods have been the recipients of affordable housing and community economic development initiatives to improve the lives of residents.[9][10]

Government and politics

Westmount exists within the federal electoral district of Saskatoon West. It is currently represented by Sheri Benson of the New Democratic Party, first elected in 2015.[11]

Provincially, the area is within the constituency of Saskatoon Centre. It is currently represented by David Forbes of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party, first elected in 2001.[12]

In Saskatoon's non-partisan municipal politics, Westmount lies within ward 2. It is currently represented by Hilary Gough, first elected in 2016.[13]

Institutions

Education
Westmount Community School
Location
411 Avenue J North

Saskatoon
,
Saskatchewan
,
S7L 2K4

Canada
Information
TypeElementary
Opened1913 (1913)
School boardSaskatoon Public Schools
PrincipalMatthew Bodnarchuk
GradesKindergarten to Grade 8
Enrollment226[14] (2017)
Education systemPublic
LanguageEnglish
Feeder toBedford Road Collegiate
WebsiteWestmount Community School

Other

Parks and recreation
  • Westmount Park – 2.9 acres (1.2 ha)
  • Pierre Radisson Park – 21.3 acres (8.6 ha)
  • Leif Erickson Park – 13.2 acres (5.3 ha)
  • Scott Park – 14.6 acres (5.9 ha)

The Westmount Community Association works to enhance the quality of life for its residents. It promotes and coordinates leisure programs and social activities, and provides a voice for the community on issues of local concern. A number of seasonal programs are offered at Westmount Community School, also the site of the outdoor rink.[18]

Commercial

Businesses in Westmount are almost exclusively located along 22nd Street. 35 home-based businesses are also based in the neighbourhood.[1]

Location

Westmount is located within the Core Neighbourhoods Suburban Development Area. It is bounded by 22nd Street to the south and Avenue H to the east, 31st Street to the north and Avenue P to the west. Roads are laid out in a grid fashion; streets run east-west, avenues run north-south.

References
  1. "Westmount" (PDF). Neighbourhood Profiles. City of Saskatoon. 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
  2. "Westmount". Saskatoon Realty. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  3. O'Brien, Jeff (July 2005). "A History of Saskatoon to 1914" (PDF). City of Saskatoon – Archives. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
  4. Morton, Arthur (June 8, 1927). Narratives of Saskatoon 1882–1912. University of Saskatchewan Bookstore. p. 31. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  5. Populace Spring 2006, 8, City of Saskatoon – City Planning Branch, Spring 2006, p. 5
  6. "Westmount Local Area Plan Final Report" (PDF). City of Saskatoon. April 20, 2011. p. 24. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  7. O'Brien, Jeff; Ruth W. Millar; William P. Delainey (2006). Roberta Coulter (ed.). Saskatoon: A History in Photographs. Coteau Books. p. 31. ISBN 1-55050-336-7.
  8. Peter, Wilson (March 23, 2006). "Abundant green space in Westmount". The StarPhoenix. CanWest. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  9. "New Affordable Housing Projects Announced in Saskatoon". Government of Saskatchewan. November 17, 2006. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  10. "Saskatoon's Core Neighbourhoods". Quint Development Corporation. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  11. Current Members of Parliament, retrieved 2017-04-16
  12. Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan - Members of the Legislative Assembly, retrieved 2017-04-16
  13. City Councillors - Saskatoon.ca, retrieved 2017-04-16
  14. Active List of Saskatchewan Schools/Programs (PDF), retrieved 2018-02-10
  15. "Westmount – Saskatoon Public Schools". Saskatoon Public School Division. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  16. "E.D. Feehan High School". Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
  17. Jackle, Jordan (February 13, 2007). "Special care home to get $13-million upgrade". The StarPhoenix. Canwest. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  18. "Westmount Community Association". City of Saskatoon – Leisure Services and Community Development. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
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