The Prairie Lily has navigated the South Saskatchewan River for 13 years now.
That’s been more than enough time for captains Mike and Joan Steckhan, who are now looking to retire, and it means 2025 could be the final send-off for a Saskatoon icon.
“We’ve actually had a series of emails and a lot of people have expressed sadness because they’ve really enjoyed it. … So it’s sort of sad, but some joy that’s there for us, too ”
Mike says the ship is as popular as ever, and service could even have extended past the summer — especially with the good weather Saskatoon has been having.
“We could have run later into the year, of course. But at some point you say, OK, that’s enough.”
The captains say they’ll remember the people the most.
“There was a lady who sent a note in this morning, talking about her two-year-old grandson, who was on a cruise a few weeks ago. And when they left, the little guy just said, ‘More boat, more boat.’ But it’s that kind of fun and the appreciation people have — those are the favourite things.”
They want the community to know how much their support over the years means.
“Without people coming in enjoying the ship, we don’t have anything either. So it’s just a tremendous thanks to the community and the support that we’ve received.”
While the Lily’s captains are set to retire, that doesn’t mean the riverboat has to, as well.
The Prairie Lily will be up for sale after the 2025 season.
The captains hope a new owner will come forward to keep the Lily on the river and keep bringing joy to Saskatoon.