Posted Nov 27, 2024, 7:29 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 4,540
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Saskatoon's New Central Library is now officially under construction and the updated design has been revealed. This is a scaled back version of the original after a cost cutting exercise to bring the project within budget (thanks inflation!).
Design & Construction Update
November 2024
Quote:
Saskatoon’s new central library is set to open at 321 2nd Avenue North in 2027. The central library will enhance the livability of Saskatoon by making possible a wide range of innovative learning and entertainment options for residents of all ages. We are excited to share a design that inspires community engagement and civic pride and creates a welcoming and essential social infrastructure that contributes to downtown revitalization and generates positive social and economic impact.
DESIGN
We are thrilled to present the library’s updated design to the community. The design honours Indigenous perspectives, meets the goals of a modern library and incorporates the feedback and insights gathered from our extensive community consultations.
The updated design is the result of a successful redesign process to reduce construction costs. Through the redesign process, we prioritized the preservation of public space. The final size of the library is 11,600 m² (124,860 sq ft) across four levels.
CONSTRUCTION
Construction is now officially underway. Installation of the foundation pilings began in October and is nearing completion. Concrete work has also begun. The tower crane is set to be erected next month.
SPL purchased a brownfield site for the new central library with the intention of transforming it into an essential public green space in the heart of downtown. The seller of the land primarily funded the remediation expenses. The remediation process is now complete.
Construction tendering is currently 60% complete. The tenders awarded have been on or below budget. This is positive news, indicating that the cost savings estimated during the redesign have been realized to date. The tendering process will be completed in the spring of 2025. The project team continues to work closely with the design, engineering, construction and trades teams to identify and implement additional cost savings.
TIMELINE
We have revised the original sale agreement at no cost to the library, allowing SPL to remain in its current central library location until spring 2027. By that time, the new library will be ready for occupancy.
PROJECT BUDGET
We take seriously our responsibility to taxpayers. We are committed to completing the project within our available funding sources.
The central library project is funded through multiple sources, including the library’s capital reserves, borrowing, donations and the sale of the existing central library property.
We have been diligently saving for a new central library as a community for over 15 years. Between 2009 and 2026, the library levy increased incrementally. The funding plan factored in the funds required to payback the loan, which has provided an affordable path to a new central library. There are two scheduled levy increases remaining, which translate to $1.60 per year for the average homeowner in 2025 and $1.60 in 2026. This means that when the library opens its doors in 2027, there will be no tax increases to fund the capital project or to pay back the loan.
In 2024, the average homeowner, with an assessed property value of $371,000, paid $243 for library services, including the costs associated with the new central library.
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https://saskatooncentrallibrary.ca/design-construction-update/
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