Drs. Jen and Yip support Cameco Riverfront Campaign

Meewasin is pleased to announce that Dr. Ivan Jen and Dr. Suzanne Yip donated more than $28,000 to the Cameco Riverfront Campaign. Together these two professionals feel lucky to have had the opportunity to serve the medical community in Saskatoon for more than 80 years, Dr. Jen originally as a general practitioner and then a consultant in dermatology, and Dr. Yip in the field of radiology. Now that they have retired, they want to give back to the community that provided them and their family with their education and professional careers, and a serene life in Saskatoon.

Dr. Jen and Dr Yip had many offers to work in other centres in North America over the years, but choose to remain in Saskatoon. Jen emigrated to Saskatoon from Hong Kong in 1951 and Suzanne in 1950, both as medical students at the University of Saskatchewan. They married in 1959 and have two children: Stephen, a dentist here in Saskatoon, and Leslie who studied law and architecture, and is now the associate editor for Canadian Architect - a national publication of art and architecture. Dr. Jen and Dr. Yip intend to remain in Saskatoon to enjoy their retirement years here.

The doctors are very private people, but outspoken in their support of Meewasin and the work that it does. "We have followed with great interest the development of Meewasin from its early days," say Dr. Jen. "Both Suzanne and I are profoundly impressed and inspired by the work of the agency: the trails, the Weir and the new Riverfront at River Landing. We wanted to support Meewasin so it can continue its efforts to enrich the quality of life for the people of Saskatoon."

Drs. Jen and Yip are also art collectors and supporters of Saskatchewan and Canadian artists both financially and emotionally. They have more than 200 pieces of art in their home, and have donated several works to the Mendel Art Gallery and the University of Saskatchewan. "In Oriental culture, expressions of gratitude are very important. We would like to show our appreciation to Saskatoon and the wonderful citizens by giving back in a small way. We particularly love Meewasin and encourage our colleagues and others to support the Cameco Riverfront Campaign to complete the Riverfront development."

Saskatoon is fortunate to have these dedicated philanthropists in our community - and from Meewasin and all of Saskatoon, we say thank you!

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Announcement - Large Campaign Donation July 2007

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Campaign reaches $1 million after P.I.C. dontation, June 24, 2007

Cameco Riverfront Campaign surpasses $1 million mark with donation from P.I.C. Investment Group

Dr. Donald Somers, Chair of the Cameco Riverfront Campaign for Meewasin, today announced a donation of $100,000 to the Campaign from P.I.C. Investment Group, representing Adventure Destinations and ClearTech Industries. The funds will be used to continue the construction of the Riverfront at River Landing, one of the most exciting public river projects in our city's history.

The donation is one of the largest single donations to the Campaign to date, and Meewasin is delighted that prominent local businesses like P.I.C. Investment Group are making a commitment to this spectacular development. The $2 million public campaign was kicked off in August 2006, and the P.I.C. Investment Group donation pushes the Campaign over the $1 million mark with cash and in-kind contributions.

"P.I.C. Investment Group is proud to partner with Meewasin on the development of the Riverfront at River Landing," said P.I.C. Investment Group President, Greg Yuel. "Helping to change a site which was not people-friendly into a destination location for residents and visitors to the City was attractive," he added; "and Meewasin's development principles of education, conservation and the environment made the decision to support the Campaign an easy one for us."

Somers also announced a new promotion for individuals who support the Campaign, saying: "We encourage individual citizens to make their personal donations to the Cameco Riverfront Campaign between August 1 and November 30, 2007. The exciting thing is donors can enter a draw to win two Air Canada flights anywhere in North America."

Additional prizes will be added to the promotion, with all major prizes being drawn for on December 5, 2007. "We are delighted that Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz have stepped up to the table, and provided these tickets to support the Campaign" said Susan Lamb, CEO of Meewasin. "Various opportunities are available for individuals to support the Campaign, from the purchase of bricks that will form a plaza near the new Pavilion, to benches and trees for the riverfront site, to larger amenities such as viewpoints, the pedestrian bridge, the river garden and amphitheater."

Designed to bring people and our community together, the Riverfront at River Landing will integrate an urban plaza with an interpreted visitor experience unlike anywhere in the world. A combination of a public domain and business interest, the area will be tasteful, understated and timeles

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Centennial Time Capsule June 19, 2007

Citizens' Centennial Committee Installs Time Capsule at the Riverfront at River Landing to Await the City's 200^th Birthday

At a ceremony on June 19th, the Citizens' Centennial Committee installed a time capsule at River Landing as part of its legacy. The Saskatoon Centennial Time Capsule contained a variety of memorabilia from Saskatoon's 100th birthday in 2006, including programs, photographs, posters, flags, balloons, and the words and music to the Centennial song. The time capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2105, one year prior to Saskatoon's 200th birthday, in order to give those bicentennial organizers an idea of what was done 100 years ago.

Mayor Donald Atchison, Citizens' Centennial Committee Chair Darlene Bessey, and Meewasin Valley Authority CEO Susan Lamb were accompanied by Grade 6 students from St. George and Forest Grove Schools as they placed the items in the time capsule, which will be permanently installed in River Landing.

"The Centennial Committee rallied the people of Saskatoon to come together in 2006 for the anniversary celebrations," noted Mayor Donald Atchison. "I hope that the citizens 100 years from now still have that same sense of community, and that Saskatoon is even more exciting. We leave them a great legacy, similar to the foundation that was created for us 100 years ago."

"In 2006, the community celebrated how wonderful Saskatoon is. With this time capsule, we want to capture that magic and preserve it for the generations that will be celebrating Saskatoon's birthday 100 years from now," explained Citizens' Centennial Committee Chair Darlene Bessey. "Who knows what the future will look like, but these items will give those citizens an idea of what their past looked like."

The items have been preserved in an archival manner, with the intent that they survive 100 years. Each item was placed in individual archival packaging and sealed within one of five metal boxes, which were then installed in one of the concrete seating blocks at the Riverfront at River Landing.

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Meewasin Riverfront Recognition May 2006