Westmount, Saskatoon

Last updated
Westmount
Westmount-map.png
Westmount location map
Coordinates: 52°07′57″N106°41′11″W / 52.13250°N 106.68639°W / 52.13250; -106.68639
CountryFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
ProvinceFlag of Saskatchewan.svg Saskatchewan
CitySaskatoon
Suburban Development Area Core Neighbourhoods
NeighbourhoodWestmount
Settled1884
Incorporated (as Saskatoon)1906
Construction1906–1960
Government
  TypeMunicipal (Ward 2)
  Administrative body Saskatoon City Council
  Councillor Senos Timon
Area
  Total
1.72 km2 (0.66 sq mi)
Population
 (2009)
  Total
2,232
  Density1,300/km2 (3,360/sq mi)
   Average Income
$44,729
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
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 2024, the area is home to 2,838 residents. [1] 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 64.4%. [2] According to MLS data, the average sale price of a home as of 2013 was $207,347. [3]

Contents

History

The area that now makes up Westmount was settled by homesteaders in 1884, as the east bank settlement of Saskatoon struggled for survival. [4] A settler named Archibald L. Brown was one such landowner, owning a section of land where Westmount School would later be built. [5] 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, [6] and most of the houses were built prior to 1960. [2]

The neighbourhood appeared on a surveyors' map in 1911. [7] The current boundaries of Westmount include some of an area called Ruskin Place, which appears on a 1913 map of registered subdivisions. [8]

Westmount Community School was opened on April 3, 1913, now renamed Westmount School. [7] 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. [9] 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. [9]

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. [7]

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. [10] [11]

Government and politics

Westmount exists within the federal electoral district of Saskatoon West. It is currently represented in the House of Commons by Brad Redekopp of the Conservative Party of Canada. [12] He assumed office in 2019.

Provincially, the area is within the constituency of Saskatoon Centre. It is currently represented by Betty Nippi-Albright of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party, elected in October 2024. [13]

Municipally, Westmount exists within Ward 2, and is represented by City Councillor Senos Timon. He was elected in Saskatoon's most recent mayoral election on 13 November 2024. [14]

Institutions

Westmount Community School 2024 08 19 IMG 5133.JPG
Westmount Community School

Education

Westmount is serviced by four schools, including two within the neighbourhood and two in nearby communities.

Outside of Westmount, in nearby communities, schools serve students who reside in Westmount:

Public Transportation

Westmount is serviced by Saskatoon Transit, which operates multiple routes in the neighbourhood. These buses operate on major roads only, and do not cross residential streets. These routes include:

Community and Culture

Westmount Park from the southwest entrance, featuring the paddling pool. 2024 08 19 IMG 5188.JPG
Westmount Park from the southwest entrance, featuring the paddling pool.

Recreation

Westmount is home to four parks:

Westmount Park offers a walking trail, playground, and paddling pool. [18] Leif Erickson Park has a community garden with fifteen plots. [19] This program is run by the Westmount Community Association.

Community Association

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. [20] The Association coordinates events within the community, and works alongside community organisations from neighbouring Caswell Hill, Mayfair, and Mount Royal. Coordination and events are mostly communicated through Facebook.

Commercial

Businesses in Westmount are almost exclusively located along 22nd Street. 35 home-based businesses are also based in the neighbourhood. [2]

Location

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

Demographics

As of 2024, there were 2,838 people residing in a total of 1047 dwellings in the neighbourhood. [1] Homeownership was at 64.4%, with an average household size of 2.6. 50% of dwellings had been built before 1960, and 33% between 1961 and 2000. 17% of dwellings had been built after 2000.

Of adults in Westmount, 200 hold a post-secondary certificate or diploma from a college or university, 240 hold a Non-Accredited Degrees, 455 hold a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest form of education, and 275 have not completed high school. 32 adults were actively enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan, and 50 at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. In 2022, 253 students were enrolled in Westmount Community School (K-12), and 480 in E.D. Feehan Catholic High School (9-12). E.D. Feehan Catholic High School enrols students until the age of 21, therefore, adults ages 18-21 who were enrolled for the 2022-2023 academic year were enlisted as "enrolled" and not "No certificate" in the most recent census. [21]

Economic Indicators Comparing Westmount With Saskatoon Overall [22] [23]
MeasurementWestmountSaskatoonYearChange From Previous MeasurementDifference (Westmount/Saskatoon)
Median Personal Income (CAD)$36,320$43,2002024Increase2.svg $3,160Westmount scores 16.93% lower than Saskatoon's average
Labour Force Participation (%)65.369.72021Decrease2.svg 0.5%Westmount scores 6.31% lower than Saskatoon's average.
Economic Dependency Ratio (%)34.5%19.5%2021Increase2.svg 13.5%Westmount scores 76.92% higher than Saskatoon's average.
Income Statistics Comparing Westmount With Saskatoon Overall [22] [23]
Income Bracket (CAD)WestmountSaskatoonChange From Previous MeasurementDifference (Westmount/Saskatoon)
<$14,999916.6%14.0%Increase2.svg 4.3%Westmount has 2.6% more of its population in this bracket compared to Saskatoon overall.
$15,000-$24,99917.8%13.5%Increase2.svg 0.7%Westmount has 4.3% more of its population in this bracket compared to Saskatoon overall.
$25,000-$34,99915.9%12.4%Decrease2.svg 0.7%Westmount has 3.5% more of its population in this bracket compared to Saskatoon overall.
$35,000-$49,99919.0%16.6%Decrease2.svg 5.6%Westmount has 2.4% more of its population in this bracket compared to Saskatoon overall.
$50,000-$74,99920.9%19.4%Increase2.svg 0.7%Westmount has 1.5% more of its population in this bracket compared to Saskatoon overall.
$75,000-$99,9996.7%11.5%Decrease2.svg 0.6%Westmount has 4.8% less of its population in this bracket compared to Saskatoon overall.
>$100,0003.1%12.6%NoneWestmount has 9.5% less of its population in this bracket compared to Saskatoon overall.

References

  1. 1 2 "Westmount" (PDF). Saskatoon.ca. 9 April 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Westmount" (PDF). Neighbourhood Profiles. City of Saskatoon. 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
  3. "Westmount". Saskatoon Realty. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  4. O'Brien, Jeff (July 2005). "A History of Saskatoon to 1914" (PDF). City of Saskatoon – Archives. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
  5. Morton, Arthur (June 8, 1927). Narratives of Saskatoon 1882–1912. University of Saskatchewan Bookstore. p. 31. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  6. Populace Spring 2006, vol. 8, City of Saskatoon – City Planning Branch, Spring 2006, p. 5
  7. 1 2 3 "Westmount Local Area Plan Final Report" (PDF). City of Saskatoon. April 20, 2011. p. 24. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  8. 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.
  9. 1 2 Peter, Wilson (March 23, 2006). "Abundant green space in Westmount". The StarPhoenix . CanWest . Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  10. "New Affordable Housing Projects Announced in Saskatoon". Government of Saskatchewan. November 17, 2006. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  11. "Saskatoon's Core Neighbourhoods". Quint Development Corporation. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  12. "Brad Redekopp - Member of Parliament". ourcommons.ca. 24 November 2024. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  13. "BETTY NIPPI-ALBRIGHT - OPPOSITION CAUCUS". Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. 10 January 2024. Archived from the original on 1 August 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  14. "Ward 2". Saskatoon.ca. 2 July 2024. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  15. "Westmount Community School". City of Saskatoon. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. "ED Feehan - High School Routes 2025" (PDF). Saskatoon Transit. 20 August 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  17. "Routes Effective June 29th, 2025" (PDF). Saskatoon Transit. 29 June 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  18. "Summer Play Programs (Paddling Pools and Splash Pads)". Saskatoon.ca. Archived from the original on 1 August 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  19. "Community Garden Contact List" (PDF). Saskatoon.ca. 23 April 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  20. "Westmount Community Association". City of Saskatoon – Leisure Services and Community Development. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  21. "Upgrading and Adult Students". Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2025.{{cite web}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. 1 2 "City of Saskatoon" (PDF). Saskatoon.ca. 2 May 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  23. 1 2 "Westmount" (PDF). Saskatoon.ca. 19 April 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2025.