Saskatoon Construction

[dsim249]

Mendel eyes move

City, Mendel board to propose new gallery at River Landing

By Lana Haight, The StarPhoenixApril 1, 2009 2:03 AM



The possible closure of the Mendel Art Gallery comes as a surprise to the grandson of the man who founded it.

"This is a complete shock to me," Chip Mitchell said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles.

"I think it's a big mistake."

On Friday, representatives from the City of Saskatoon and the Mendel Art Gallery board are expected to propose that a new art gallery be built in Saskatoon at River Landing, replacing the Mendel, which has sat farther north overlooking the South Saskatchewan River since 1964. They hope the proposal to build a new facility will trigger long-awaited federal funding for a public art gallery in the city.

The Mendel name would likely be removed from the building, possibly to be named the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan. One section of the gallery would be named after Mendel to honour the man credited with initiating the building of the first public art gallery in Saskatoon.

"That's definitely not the kind of pact that the city and the province entered into with my grandfather," said Mitchell.

In addition to paying one-third of the construction costs of the original gallery, Mendel also donated from his private collection 13 paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. The Mendel family has continued to support the art gallery through the years, says Mitchell, whose mother was a Mendel.

The family supports an earlier decision by the Mendel board that would see the present facility expand to 45,000 square feet from 25,000 square feet and include a courtyard, a cafe named in honour of singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell and a larger civic conservatory.

The price tag for the expansion, in the works for at least five years, has risen to more than $21 million. The provincial government has already committed $4.1 million while the city has agreed to contribute $4.5 million. At least $1.1 million has already been spent on architectural drawings. Despite repeated requests for federal funding, no money has been committed by Ottawa.

"We can talk about the Mendel on the riverbank (at its present location). We can talk about the Mendel in River Landing. We can talk about the Mendel anywhere, but until the federal government steps up, there will be no development," said a source with knowledge of the project.

"I think that the city and the Mendel art board think this will increase the chances of getting federal funding and this project can't happen without that money," the source said.

The proposed Art Gallery of Saskatchewan would be significantly larger than the proposed expansion of the present Mendel. A 120,000-square-foot building would be attached to Persephone Theatre's exterior blank wall that faces west. Between 75,000 to 80,000 square feet would be allocated for the art gallery, leaving room for a restaurant or other uses, says the source. The proposal, still in its infancy, does not include drawings.

"There are big dollars at stake here," said the source, who wasn't sure of the exact number.

"We'll need significant portions coming from the three levels of government."

In applying for Building Canada money announced in the latest federal budget, the city has identified the proposed new art gallery as its No. 1 priority. If the federal government would commit this spring to fund part of the construction, a new art gallery could be built within two years, says the source.

The idea of moving the Mendel Art Gallery to River Landing was floated in 2005, drawing strong reactions from several benefactors, including Eva Mendel Miller, a daughter of Fred Mendel, and volunteers who threatened to pull their support and finances.

Ray Martineau, chair of the Mendel Foundation, which raises money for the gallery to purchase pieces of art, supports expansion at the current site and is angry with this latest development.

"It's my opinion that city council and the administration of the city are in such a helluva hurry to fill that hole in south downtown that they'll stand on their heads to do it," said Martineau, who was a longtime member of the Mendel board of trustees but now sits on the foundation.

The foundation members have not been told of the proposal to build a new gallery, he said.

No one from the Mendel Art Gallery would comment. Executive director Vincent Varga and Art Knight, chair of the Mendel board, would only confirm a news conference was scheduled for Friday.

No one from the City of Saskatoon, including Mayor Don Atchison, would comment either.

[email protected]

[OILERS]

I think moving the gallery to River landing is a great idea. I just don't know what would go in it's place. It would leave a big void in that area.

[EarlyByrdProductions]

I'm sure they could get big money for their old spot on the river...but i'm not sure if their is a need to move it. It's already on a beautiful spot by the river which I have visited since I was a kid. Would the government not kick in money under that 'Build Canada' for a big extention?

I think it would greatly increase foot traffic if it were apart of River Landing it would be great to have there but why not something else to attract people and have the entire river have great features north to south. Either way to not keep the Mendel name if it were moved would be a huge insult to the city and the founding members.

[lbird]

So we don't forget the costs associated with all this city building, news that this year's civic tax hike will be 3.4% even after the additional funding transfer from the province. Hopefully someone will get costs under control at some point, but I think a lot of the current administration love the glamour of photo ops and new construction rather than the nitty gritty and conflict of responsible financial administration.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Business/City+growth+behind+proposed+increase/1450428/story.html

[kgc087]

I think moving the mendel would be a tremendous benefit for the gallery as well as the city. It is a bit out of the way in the north area just off of downtown so by putting it right in the 'new' heart of downtown imagine the increase in visitors. As well the increase in space would allow for huge improvements and much larger installations. By being a part of a larger Saskatchewan gallery I think this would send a clear message that this gallery is an integral part of SK's history and will never be forgotten, even if it isnt in its own building but in the wing of a much larger, improved one.

I think the idea of a HUGE gallery in riverlanding is fantastic, creates culture, curiosity as well as makes people think outside of the ordinary. AND skytower wont be built!! Which is a HUGE bonus

As for the spot where the mendel is this could be transformed into some sort of interpretive centre, or perhaps used by kinsmen or maybe they could some how renovate the building so it will become a large conservatory OR they could open the spot up for a luxury condo development or luxury hotel, really the possibilities are endless for this location, people are just limited to their imagination. My personal preference would be to look into the possibility of making a large conservatory, I often dream of how fantastic it would be to have botanical gardens in the city, it would be a nice feature, especially during the winter months.

[Ruckus]

I have no issue with expanding the Mendel at its current location, but, the synergy between all the activities at River Landing will undoubtedly increase demand (value) for proposed developments in the immediate area, as well as providing further incentive for residents to view the south downtown as a place to live, work and play.

Although the Mendel is located near the river, and not far from downtown, it is still off on its own. Some may view this as a benefit (spreading cultural facilities throughout the city), others believe we should concentrate facilities to provide convenient access to a variety of activities. One development alone can not sustain the momentum of improvement downtown livability. We must recognize the benefits of co-locating complementary activities, and the urban impact of such pursuits.

We first build the entertainment and cultural draw of downtown. We then consider the potential for increasing the captive audience. Working in the downtown seems natural, as do visits to businesses for consumer goods, and entertainment. We accept working and playing in downtown, why not living? Where the most efficient mode of transportation is walking, cycling and transit.

We're on a steady trajectory of substantial improvement to downtown livability. Let's keep our eyes on the prize.

[kgc087]

The MVA has a survey up to help form their 5 year strategic plan, check it out, http://www.meewasin.com/

[Only The Lonely..]

The Winnipeg Sun decided to have some fun with Winnipeggers and ran this as a front page story today.

I thought you guys might find it amusing..


Greener pastures
Saskatoon poised to steal our Ikea development

By TOM BRODBECK | Winnipeg Sun - April 1, 2009

Artist's depiction of proposed Saskatoon IKEA

Will opposition in Winnipeg force Ikea to relocate proposed store to Saskatchewan? (Sun Media Photo Illustration) Plans to bring an Ikea store to Winnipeg as part of an ambitious mega-retail development along Kenaston Boulevard have hit a major roadblock, the Winnipeg Sun has learned.

And the Swedish furniture giant is now rethinking whether Winnipeg is the right location for the company's planned Prairie expansion.

Area residents and several social activist groups opposed to the plan are planning a number of legal challenges to block -- or at least delay -- the proposed Tuxedo Yards Redevelopment.

And that delay could scuttle the entire deal, sources at city hall say.

"This is very disappointing," the source said. "This will put the entire project in serious jeopardy."

Letter of the law

The groups claim recent changes to Plan Winnipeg that were required to give the project the green light were made illegally because a number of steps -- including a lack of proper notice for public hearings -- were ignored.

"This has to do with process and it has to do with following the letter of the law," said Ned Stevenson, who heads the newly formed group Citizens for Accountable Urban Planning. "You can't just throw all the rules out the window because some big corporation wants to come into your city and sell furniture." The group, along with several other petitioners, are planning a series of court injunctions this week to block the architectural and environmental assessment phases of the plan, which were scheduled to begin next month now that city council has approved the project.

"We're not against development but we object to the city violating due process," said Stevenson. "City hall has suspended its own rules, rammed this down our throats and we're taking a stand on it."

Sources at city hall say the legal challenges represent a significant threat to the project.

"Ikea's corporate culture is such that they don't like controversy and they don't like community opposition," said the city hall source. "They're not used to this kind of push-back -- they're usually greeted with open arms." Ikea has been eyeing a Prairie expansion for several years in order to better penetrate the western Canadian market.

Both Winnipeg and Saskatoon were identified as possible locations. Ikea selected Winnipeg because of its greater density.

However, a booming Saskatchewan economy has improved Saskatoon's standing in the competition for an Ikea store.

Also, the City of Saskatoon has offered the retail giant a number of financial incentives, including property tax exemptions and employment training grants.

"There's been no opposition whatsoever to an Ikea in Saskatoon," the city hall source said. "Unlike in Winnipeg, they've rolled out the red carpet for them." Company officials could not be reached for comment.

However, several city councillors say privately they plan to meet with CAUP and other disgruntled groups to try to address their concerns and persuade them to drop their legal challenges.

"Ikea can go into any city in North America that it wants," said one city councillor on condition of anonymity. "They've picked this city and now -- in typical Winnipeg fashion -- we're going to delay this thing so long that they're going to pack up their briefcases and start planning for a Saskatoon development."

Stevenson denies his group is trying to scuttle the Ikea deal. He says their objective is simply to play a good old-fashioned April Fool's joke on readers.

"We're not against Ikea," said Stevenson. "It's just that today is April 1st and we thought this would be a good April Fool's joke." Gotcha.

Send your complaints to [email protected]

---

NOT AGAIN!

If the proposed Ikea development actually does move to Saskatoon, it'll be the latest in a series of things our formerly have-not neighbours to the west have stolen from us in recent years.

- Back in July, Saskatoon and Regina were selected to host the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship, beating out a joint bid by Winnipeg and Brandon.

- Who can forget the 2007 Grey Cup, when the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 on the strength of a blown interception call by the refs. Not that we're still bitter, though.

- In statistics released yesterday, Saskatoon and Regina have the fastest-growing economies in the country. The city they beat out for the title? Winnipeg, of course.

- Even our status as Canada's violent crime capital isn't safe. In a recent report by Maclean's magazine, Winnipeg was rated the second most dangerous city in Canada, just behind -- you guessed it -- Saskatoon.

[Morogolus]

The Ikea story is an April Fools joke. I don't think Saskatoon will ever Ikea but one can dream. I got a good kick out of that artists rendition though lol.

[kgc087]

We can only dream of Ikea in Saskatoon maybe in 15-20 years

[EarlyByrdProductions]

Yeah, I have looked into the Sask Art Gallery at Riverlanding a big more and now have strengthened my view on having it moved. I love the Mendal and its location but I know I would visit it 10x more if it were closer to downtown and other attractions.

After talking with some people with more knowledge, Mendal only donated like 30K to help with getting it built (and some great paintings but they weren't worth even close to what they are today). Not to mention I guess the board ticked off the Gov't so bad they won't ever get gov't funding if it is still in that location or under the Mendal name.

So with a move to a great location, to get a much bigger installation and a huge financial fund from the govt? I'm for it.

[Ricopedra]

Geez, an Ikea AND an iconic old grain elevator to be built by the vet-med building on campus, with no opposition?! Ha ha! Glad to see Winterpeg with a sense of H. BTW, if you want the Ikea experience, you can always make a roadtrip to Calgary. I did that when I lived in Toontown and it seemed so nice to come home and swear to the dickens trying to simply assemble something.

BTW, Earlybyrd, I hope some folks got out to hear you jam, and I think breaking free from some old donations/gov't bondage is probably the best thing for an Art Centre in Sask. A lot of locals are serious artists with BA's and you're sure of a good turnout for exhibitions with the local U so close (to either site). But a much improved and larger dig may attract some of those floating international shows if we/you guys can get the attendance figures up. That won't happen as long as Mendel is what it is.

Also, is Joni Mitchell related to this family? Because that would explain why she went back to nature (LA - Ha ha!), so to speak, yet she always seemed 'entitled', which is a hallmark of the privileged. Yes, even from Saskatoon, my friends....

[kgc087]

Mendel plan 'travesty'

River Landing site for possible gallery comes under fire

By David Hutton, The StarPhoenixApril 2, 2009Comments (9)

The former director of the Mendel Art Gallery roundly criticized a proposal to build a new art gallery in River Landing, calling it a "travesty" that would leave behind one of the city's hallmark buildings.

Terry Graff, who left the Mendel in 2007 after he was told his contract would not be renewed, joined a chorus of critics Wednesday in slamming a plan that has yet to be unveiled.

An announcement is expected Friday involving the City of Saskatoon and the Mendel board of trustees about a proposal to build a new art gallery at River Landing, contingent on federal funding.

The idea to move the Mendel was floated in fall 2005 when Graff was in charge. At that time, it generated an emotional public debate over the future of the gallery.

"If this misguided notion has reared its ugly head again, it's only because city council and administration are intellectually bankrupt," Graff said in a telephone interview from Fredericton, N.B., where he is the director of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

"Moving the Mendel would indeed be a great travesty, demonstrating the city's cultural amnesia, lack of vision, recklessness with taxpayers' money and great disrespect for local heritage and founder Fred Mendel's significant cultural legacy."

Friday's announcement is expected to reveal that the Mendel name would be replaced on a new building, possibly by the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan. There would be a dedicated wing in the $50-million-plus, 120,000-square-foot gallery, which would be attached to Persephone Theatre.

Mayor Don Atchison, who was in Toronto for a job fair, and Mendel board members continued their silence on the issue Wednesday. They would not return requests for comment before Friday's press conference.

It is expected representatives of the provincial government, which has already committed $4.1 million to Mendel renovations, will also be in attendance, with officials calling it a "high level" project.

Camille Mitchell, Fred Mendel's granddaughter, said she was "outraged" when she got word of the proposal.

"It's so short-term and disrespectful to the people of Saskatoon and the history of Saskatoon for a select few who want to line their pockets," she said. "There are sizable funds that will be donated by my family if it stays at its current location. If it moves and the name of the gallery is changed that implies very strongly to us that we are, as a family, and my grandfather is being disrespected and his memory is being trashed."

A $21-million concept plan to revamp and expand the Mendel's current home was done by Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture and endorsed by the original architects, Graff said. The plan is a stronger one than moving the gallery to River Landing, where there isn't enough room to adequately support bringing in works of art, he said.

There has already been at least $1 million spent on architectural drawings and planning that would go to waste, he said.

"If the federal government is reluctant to support such a dynamic project (with the renovations), it is because the city's administration has not done a very good job of selling it," he said. "This will turn River Landing into a circus. Everything doesn't have to be in one site."

[email protected]

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
_________________________________________
Overpass plan worries golf club


By Luke Simcoe, The StarPhoenixApril 2, 2009Comments (3)
StoryPhotos ( 1 )

A proposal for an overpass on Highway 16 at Boychuk Drive has teed off the owner of Greenbryre Golf and Country ClubA proposal for an overpass on Highway 16 at Boychuk Drive has teed off the owner of Greenbryre Golf and Country Club.

In a letter to the firm responsible for the design of the overpass, Greenbryre's Gary Gaudet says the plan would ruin the golf course by interfering with five of the club's 18 holes.

"The loss of business and recovery time associated with redeveloping the years of work that have been invested into Greenbryre may be insuperable," wrote Gaudet.

Gaudet purchased Greenbryre in 2007 with the intent of reducing the course to nine holes and adding a number of condos and townhouses. He has since put those plans on hold and focused on developing the country club.

Nevertheless, he says the overpass could still affect future plans to add residential housing to the golf course.

Gaudet was not available for further comment Wednesday.

According to Don Cook, a planning engineer with the City of Saskatoon, the overpass was proposed in response to increased development in Corman Park and the surrounding area.

"At a certain point, existing intersections no longer have the capacity to handle traffic volumes," he said.

The site of 25 collisions between 2005 and 2007, the current intersection of Highway 16 and Boychuk Drive has a reputation for being dangerous.

The proposed overpass would allow eastbound drivers on the highway to exit right and loop around to Boychuk, thus avoiding a left-hand turn across the highway.

"(The overpass) would be a lot safer for our customers," said Greenbryre's manager Brad Vinnick.

Although they're not involved directly with the proposal, officials from the RM of Corman Park are sympathetic with Greenbryre's concerns.

"Greenbryre is an established business in Corman Park and we certainly want to make sure their interests are considered in the planning and design of the overpass," said Glen Grismer, the rural municipality's director of planning.

Cook says the city works with landowners affected by development and construction and he expects to have further consultations with Greenbryre should the overpass move forward.

"We have more dialogue to do, that's for sure," he said.

Plans for the overpass were made public on March 3. The city has yet to devise a timeline for construction.

[email protected]

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
________________________________________________
I think the only travesty with is with the few people who are so hung up on keeping the Mendel at its current location. Afterall it is not about the building it is about the art and culture the gallery produces. As well the benefits of moving the gallery to a high traffic area such as riverlanding, and to make it a part of a MUCH larger museum will really reinforce its position as a cultural landmark for the city. Like we have all stated there only benefits from moving the gallery, as well the current building could be transformed into a cultural centre or perhaps it would be suited to become a future aboriginal holding house As well everyone they asked for comments about the building don't even live here anymore, so their opinion is relevant how...?

I really hope the golf course does not hold much power with the development of this interchange. They will be just fine to build condos near the interchange through proper development practices, such as planting trees as a sound barriers or perhaps building a higher density condo. I do agree that this interchange is integral for the development of rosewood as well as the smooth traffic flow to and from corman park.

[drm310]

Spicing up downtown
By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenix
April 3, 2009 8:19 AM

A well-known Saskatoon restaurant, a trendy shoe boutique and a gourmet food destination are moving in to the refurbished King George.

The main floor of Meridian Development Corp.'s luxury condo development will be the new home of the Taj Mahal Restaurant, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The space will also house Swank Shoe Lounge and Saskatoon Sous Chef, a store that supplies convenient gourmet foods.

Beemal Vasani, who is a partner in Taj Mahal -- an award-winning Indian restaurant that is owned by his parents, Rano and Nitu Vasani -- said his family can't wait to move in.

"It will be very much, we hope, a signature restaurant in Saskatoon. With the ambiance we can create and the 16-foot ceilings on the main floor, I think it's going to be a wonderful atmosphere," Vasani said Thursday.

Taj Mahal, which was originally located on Broadway Avenue, is expanding to 80 seats from 50 in its new location, he said. The family is bringing in slate and granite from India as part of the restaurant's decor and a tandoor room with glass walls will be built so customers can watch cooks making food.

"That one, I think, will bring the consumer a little closer to the Indian food that not a lot of people have seen prepared or really understand how much skill is involved with making it," he said.

The family sold its Broadway Avenue space nearly a year ago, Vasani explained. The past 12 months have provided some much-needed relaxation time for Rano and Nitu, he said, however everyone is looking forward to getting back to work. The restaurant will face 23rd Street and is expected to open in mid-summer.

"After you do something for 18, 20 years, you get used to going to work . . . and coming back home, and I think they've got a renewed passion for setting up the restaurant again," he said.

Aside from searching for a new home for the Taj Mahal during their year-long sabbatical, the family found time to launch a new venture: Saskatoon Sous Chef. Vasani, who owns the company with business partner Brad Milne, said opening a Sous Chef location downtown is a natural move for the company, which already operates a store on Ludlow Street. In addition to offering cook-at-home meals at the downtown store, hot items will be served for lunch and dinner at the KG location. Gourmet wraps and sandwiches will also be available at Sous Chef's new space, which will face Second Avenue.

"We import a lot of our stuff from all over the world so, for example, our prosciutto comes in directly from Italy. . . . We'll bring in many high-end cheeses from all over the world to put into the sandwiches," he said. "The quality of the ingredients, for us, is paramount."

Vasani hopes to open Sous Chef at the KG in mid-June.

Swank Shoe Lounge, meanwhile, could be open by the end of May in the KG retail space on Second Avenue beside Ten Thousand Villages. Jana Raskob, who is opening the store with business partners Melissa Bodnar, Nels Pederson and Jesse Fruson, said the European style of the development matches the theme of the shoe and accessory store.

"It's going to be kind of like an urban shoe boutique and it will be inspired by European and Asian trends with a wide variety of shoes for men and women," she said of the store, which will offer everything from everyday sneakers to high-end leather boots.

"We're really, really excited about being in there, it's going to be a beautiful place," Raskob said. "The whole look of the building is really unique."

As for the rest of the development, everything is on-track for completion by the end of the year, said Meridian Development partner Karl Miller. A show suite will open by the end of the month and common areas inside the building are almost complete, he said.

Miller said the tenants who will move into the development's retail space are well-respected and will benefit from the foot traffic in the area.

"I think they recognize the value that they're getting in being located in our property, they recognize the value of the quality they're getting and they want to be associated with that," he said. "There's a good synergy between everyone there."

There is one retail bay still unoccupied.

[email protected]
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

[drm310]

Children's museum finds home in mall
By Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix
April 3, 2009 8:34 AM

Erica Bird and Danielle Chartier didn't let a wall of silence from the city block their plans to open Saskatchewan's first children's museum in Saskatoon.

An October proposal to build the museum at a River Landing destination centre went unanswered and left the two co-chairs of the Children's Discovery Museum to find alternate accommodations for the seven-year project.

The museum, the 10th in Canada, will open in Market Mall in May.

"River Landing is not going to happen for us," said Chartier, standing outside the new location, keeping one eye on her daughter.

"It's disappointing for us and, I think, for Saskatoon. It's a missed opportunity."

Like interactive science centres, where children are meant to touch and handle exhibits, a children's museum contradicts everything a child is told about the stuffy, musty, artifact-heavy idea of museums.

Adults still fight the urge to touch paintings and sculptures, so there is some instinct telling us to play, said Chartier.

"It's an oasis from a crazy world, where children have no agenda, no real guidelines," she said. "Our rule is, 'Please touch.' "

The Market Mall location -- still under construction -- features three permanent exhibits targeted at children from newborns to age 10: The Muddy Paws Animal Clinic, The North Woods campsite and a performance stage disguised as an ice cave.

Children can dress like veterinarians and treat stuffed animals to learn about pet care or build a fake fire and climb into a vintage canoe under the mural of a northern Saskatchewan lake. Organizers plan on hosting weekly performances and workshops from local artists.

Earlier this week, volunteers were busy mudding over Styrofoam to create a northern ice cave that doubles as a puppet window and performance stage.

"Kids are more fun than adults," said volunteer and local artist Gloria Stefanson, her hands deep in a bucket of white mud.

"This (museum) will be fun. We don't have enough of that (in) society. It's always no running, no touching. Kids can come here and just have fun."

The museum plans to operate on a budget of about $100,000, divided almost evenly between revenue and government and public donations.

Future plans include tripling the number of exhibits, program expansion and the addition of a paid executive director.

A River Landing location could still work if the museum proves successful enough for an expansion, but for now the board of directors is taking the city's silence as a negative.

"We want a successful, state-of-the-art centre in downtown Saskatoon," said Bird.

"For now, it's important for us to grow with the community. We're doing this in stages."

The museum's board of directors submitted its proposal to the 12-member River Landing destination centre steering committee in September and made a presentation in October.

"Since then we've heard nothing, not even a yes or no," said Chartier.

"I'm assuming we're not part of this big announcement (today)."

The committee is still studying the possibilities for the destination centre, said Sandi Schultz, the city's special projects manager.

Testing a permanent location is a good idea, she added.

Schultz said it "would be fair to say" the committee has had no contact with the museum since October.

"The committee is doing its due diligence and should have an answer in the next month and a half," she said.

In October, about 500 kids passed through a haunted house hosted by Market Mall and the museum, said Betty Anne Fisher, the mall's assistant property manager.

Based on the experiment, Market Mall was chosen as a suitable replacement for a River Landing location.

"It fits perfectly with our idea of a family destination," said Fisher.

"We're not just a mall. It's an entertainment centre."

Admission is $3.50 per child and adult, while kids under one are free.

[email protected]
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

[circle33]

Good to hear re: Taj Mahal. That place is a bit of a civic treasure.

[drm310]

New vision touted for city's gallery
Longtime Mendel backer defends River Landing site

By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix
April 3, 2009 9:15 AM

Construction of the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan at a site in River Landing will begin this year with the first phase of the $55-million project, contingent on federal funding.

A four-page brochure for the new gallery, obtained Thursday by The StarPhoenix, says the building, which would replace the 44-year-old Mendel Art Gallery, would be the "new epicenter for arts and culture in Saskatoon."

The Mendel board of trustees unanimously approved pursuing the River Landing location earlier this month.

Wrapping around Persephone Theatre, the new gallery could be under construction by this fall with a 250-stall underground parking garage and construction could be complete by the fall of 2012.

The new gallery will be announced at a news conference today at Persephone Theatre with representatives from the gallery, the city and the province expected to be in attendance. The new art gallery is a high-priority item under the city's list of projects seeking federal dollars under the Building Canada fund.

The more than 100,000-square-foot gallery would house touring exhibits, significant exhibition space, art vaults, a studio area, a retail shop and a restaurant.

The River Landing gallery concept has already come under criticism from the Mendel family and a former director of the gallery. They say the move would show disrespect to Fred Mendel, who is credited with initiating the building of the first public art gallery in Saskatoon in 1964.

The Mendel name and the Mendel Art Gallery are not mentioned in the brochure.

The Art Gallery of Saskatchewan brochure lays out the group's defence of moving the gallery away from its current riverbank home, saying several times a new gallery makes "more financial sense." The Mendel gallery is bursting at the seams and a bigger home is necessary, the brochure says.

"Construction of a new and expanded art gallery . . . delivers a better end result than wrestling with renovations," the brochure says.

With upgrades, the Mendel gallery could be used to house another organization that "better fits the existing space," the brochure says. The civic conservatory would remain at the current location, it says.

Henry Kloppenburg, a longtime Mendel board member and donor, came to the defence of the proposed gallery on Thursday, blaming the failure to relocate sooner on past negotiations with the federal government.

Kloppenburg said he backed a gallery at River Landing because it would present a more compelling location in the pursuit of funding, and once completed would attract more people and provide the extra space the gallery needs.

"My view of a successful art gallery is an art gallery that has lots of exhibition space, is warm in winter and air conditioned in summer and it's located where people can find it and like to go," Kloppenburg said.

"If the south downtown is going to be a people's place, like its developers claim, then it would be a very fine place for an art gallery."

The brochure defends building a new gallery over renovating and expanding the Mendel. A $21-million project that would see the Mendel expand to 45,000 square feet from 25,000 square feet has been underway for several years with no major federal funding secured.

"There simply aren't enough dollars from either governments or private donors to fund many different riverbank projects," the document says.

[email protected]

[kgc087]

This is great, it really sounds like the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan is going to materialize. This will not only secure the Mendel as a cultural icon for the city but it will also secure Saskatoon's position as the cultural epicentre of SK and as one of the cultural capitals of Canada. Perhaps the current mendel facility could become an aboriginal holding house, or the childrens museum coul dlook at securing the location, or perhaps we could create a civic science centre?

[kgc087]

New Bus Terminal in the Works
Friday, 03 April 2009
Saskatoon Transit is moving forward on some improvements to the bus system.

The city has just put out a request for a site manager for a new bus terminal to be built downtown. The designs are almost finalized, Once a manager is picked they will determine when to begin construction, but if all goes well the building could start later this year.

A recent addition to most city buses are security cameras, which are installed in about 90 of 130 buses. Also in the works for Saskatoon transit are the electronic fare boxes, which will be tested in December and could go online in January of next year.

kdr(apr2/09)
http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17474&Itemid=281
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This is really step in the right direction. This will further encourage the use of public transit and the efficiency of the transit system.

[prairieguy]

I don't know why, but I am still on the fence about the Mendel. I absolutely understand that the opportunity for increased traffic can be maximized by locating to River Landing, and that it creates another "public amenity" for the area to attract people. My own conflict arises from the fact that I think the current Mendel location is so beautiful and with the proposed expansion, who is to say that it would not then draw more people as well?? I think there is some merit to have amenities all along the river trail, not just at River Landing.

My other concern is that the 'new gallery' would be implementing an admission fee. One would have to think with the size and scope of what is proposed for River Landing, there will have to be some cost recovery included in the business plan. Currently, it is an absolute "gift" to be able to visit the Mendel free of charge (with a choice of donating).

Just to clarify for those that may think the Mendel is not currently well used, it is one of the most visited public galleries in Canada on a per capita basis. Also, the donation of 30K dollars by the Mendel family(if that is correct) would have been substantial 40 years ago! And the donation of works from the Group of Seven (the most famous series/group of painters and paintings in Canadian art) cannot be ignored.

Having said all that, I still lean towards supporting the move to River Landing just based on the enhancement to that area and the potential for a great building design and great space to exhibit art. I just hope that the Mendel name is somehow recognised/honoured and that, if there is an admission fee, it is kept to a very bare minimum to truley make the facility accessible to all.

I also hope a use for the current Mendel building can be found without too much alteration to the exterior. I recall recently that the Mendel was featured in an architectural magazine as a great example of modernistic architecture from the 60's in Canada (I probably have the design style wrong, but the point is it was singled out as an example of architecture from a particular period of design).

Bottom line, is this is exciting news for Saskatoon, and hopefully whatever happens, we will end up with an innovative building to showcase art and add to the cultural strength of our city and province. (just don't let Remai design it! )

OK...my rant is done.