Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan (SOTS) has been operating as a Shakespeare festival since 1985, and despite being a fixture of Saskatoon’s arts community, it has always operated on an impermanent site. The redevelopment provided a permanent and flexible space suited for the Shakespeare festival, and the site further celebrates local Saskatoon culture and arts by opening the river-side space for use by other community groups and festivals, strengthening the site as a year-round community resource.
The permanent Shakespeare festival site now sits nestled in the riverbank as a place that balances human connection and riparian protection. The site continues to activate the banks of the South Saskatchewan River through the celebration of culture and arts, protection and reclamation of riverbank plantings, and establishing the long-running festival as a permanent resident and steward within the river valley.
The Meewasin trail network and the Shakespeare festival site are now integrated as one, and adjacent parks and open spaces, the Nutrien Wonderhub (Children’s museum) and other river-side amenities now function congruently as a significant public node.
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