Former long-time Saskatoon mayor Cliff Wright has died.
His family confirmed to CTV that the 87-year-old Wright died Tuesday at 12:15 a.m. at St. Paul’s Hospital. He was battling cancer.
Wright, who spent a total of 22 years on city council, was elected mayor in 1976 and remained in the position until his retirement from politics in 1988.
He was the first mayor born and raised in Saskatoon.
“It is a sad day in Saskatoon as one of the pioneers of our success as a modern city has died,” said Mayor Don Atchison in a media release.
“Mayor Wright led our city through some difficult times and some good times. But he never stopped believing that Saskatoon was a great city with enormous potential. He was a businessman, a politician but most of all he was a man of the people.”
Wright oversaw the creation of the Meewasin Valley Authority, the Circle Drive North Bridge, the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre and Saskatchewan Place, which is now the SaskTel Centre.
He also played a key role in the development of the Wanuskewin Heritage Park and the Field House.
Wright was succeeded in the mayor’s chair by Henry Dayday.
Mayor Donald Atchison is the only other Saskatoon mayor born and raised in the city.
