Westmount, Saskatoon

Westmount
Neighbourhood

Westmount School
Courtesy of the Westmount Community Association

Westmount location map
Coordinates: 52°07′57″N 106°41′11″W / 52.13250°N 106.68639°W / 52.13250; -106.68639Coordinates: 52°07′57″N 106°41′11″W / 52.13250°N 106.68639°W / 52.13250; -106.68639
Country  Canada
Province  Saskatchewan
City Saskatoon
Suburban Development Area Core Neighbourhoods
Neighbourhood Westmount
Settled 1884
Incorporated (as Saskatoon) 1906
Construction 1906–1960
Government
 • Type Municipal (Ward 4)
 • Administrative body Saskatoon City Council
 • Councillor Myles Heidt
Area
 • Total 1.72 km2 (0.66 sq mi)
Population (2009)
 • Total 2,232
 • Density 1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
 • Average Income $44,729
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
Website westmountcommunity.net

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]

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 MacMillan. 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 DemocraticParty of Canada, elected in 2015.

Provincially, the area overlaps two constituencies. The south part lies within the constituency of Saskatoon Centre. It is currently represented by David Forbes of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP), first elected in 2001 in a 2001 by-election and re-elected 2003, 2007 and 2011. The south part lies within the constituency of Saskatoon Massey Place. It is currently represented by Cam Broten of the NDP, elected in 2007.

In Saskatoon's non-partisan municipal politics, Westmount lies within ward 4. It is currently represented by Councillor Troy Davies. He was first elected to city council in 2012 taking the seat that was long held by councillor Myles Heidt, who retired in 2012 after first being elected in 1994, and re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006 & 2009.

Institutions

Education

Westmount Community School
Location
411 Avenue J North
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7L 2K4
Canada
Information
Type Elementary
Opened 1913 (1913)
School board Saskatoon Public Schools
Principal Angela Caron
Vice Principal Candace Ahmed
Grades Kindergarten to Grade 8
Enrollment 226[11] (2016)
Education system Public
Language English
Feeder to Bedford Road Collegiate
Website Westmount Community School

Other

Parks and recreation

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.[15]

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. The northern boundary starts at Avenue H and runs west down 31st Street to Pierre Radisson Park; it then runs along the park edge to 32nd Street, and across the park to McMillan Avenue. The western border starts at 32nd Street, down McMillan Avenue to 29th Street, down a block west and south on Avenue O to Rusholme Road; finally, it goes down Rusholme Road to Avenue P, and ends at 22nd Street. Roads are laid out in a grid fashion; streets run east-west, avenues run north-south.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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 (1), City of Saskatoon – City Planning Branch, Spring 2006, p. 5
  6. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 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. ↑ Active List of Saskatchewan Schools/Programs (PDF), retrieved 2016-11-28
  12. ↑ "Westmount – Saskatoon Public Schools". Saskatoon Public School Division. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  13. ↑ "E.D. Feehan High School". Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
  14. ↑ Jackle, Jordan (February 13, 2007). "Special care home to get $13-million upgrade". The StarPhoenix. Canwest. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  15. ↑ "Westmount Community Association". City of Saskatoon – Leisure Services and Community Development. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
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