Saskatoon Construction II

[The Bess]

Excellent pictures Ruckus, views you never see

[ninipanini]

Maybe 3rd Ave United could be turned into a bookstore? There is this FANTASTIC bookstore in an old cathedral in Maastricht, the Netherlands that I had the pleasure of visiting. I couldn't find a good website with lots of nice pictures, but if you type in "selexyz dominicanen - Maastricht" into google images you can see for yourself

edit: I found a good website: http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/40509/sacred-bookstore/

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by ninipanini

Maybe 3rd Ave United could be turned into a bookstore? There is this FANTASTIC bookstore in an old cathedral in Maastricht, the Netherlands that I had the pleasure of visiting. I couldn't find a good website with lots of nice pictures, but if you type in "selexyz dominicanen - Maastricht" into google images you can see for yourself

edit: I found a good website: http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/40509/sacred-bookstore/

Interesting use. But would it pay the bills? Not so sure that it would.

[Red914]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

CIBC parking lot on Circle drive looking down Ontario Avenue. haha over 3 kms to downtown.

That's a really interesting shot. Thanks for sharing! How big is your lens?

[Temperance]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

I like the idea of marketing the church as a secular music venue. Maybe position itself as an alternative to the Odeon or Tequila.

This is a great idea. Melkweg, my favourite place to see music in Amsterdam, is a great example of this.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Red914

That's a really interesting shot. Thanks for sharing! How big is your lens?

Thanks! I'm rocking the Nikon Coolpix P500. It is a 36x optical -- 810 mm + 4x digital zoom on that image. Still learning its subtleties.

[Brutopian]

Douglas Cardinal design unveiled for U of S student centre

CBC News Posted: May 9, 2012 9:42 PM CST Last Updated: May 9, 2012 10:09 PM CST

The design of a new student centre for the University of Saskatchewan was unveiled Wednesday, featuring the work of celebrated architect Douglas Cardinal.

The building, to be known as the Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre, has been in the works for years.

[...........]

Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchew...student-centre-design-u-sask-120509.html

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Douglas Cardinal design unveiled for U of S student centre

CBC News Posted: May 9, 2012 9:42 PM CST Last Updated: May 9, 2012 10:09 PM CST

The design of a new student centre for the University of Saskatchewan was unveiled Wednesday, featuring the work of celebrated architect Douglas Cardinal.

The building, to be known as the Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre, has been in the works for years.

[...........]

Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchew...student-centre-design-u-sask-120509.html

Where exactly is this to be located?



This was the first comment on the article.
"Why can't the campus get a little break from construction? It be nice to not see ANY cranes on campus..."

[Brutopian]

High traffic volumes expected for Cabela’s grand opening in Saskatoon


Police set to control traffic in the area

Reported by Stephanie Froese, NewsTalk 650 CKOM
First Posted: May 9, 2012 8:41pm


The grand opening of a new sporting goods store in Saskatoon is expected to attract a significant amount of attention.

Saskatoon police are getting ready for Thursday and setting up to keep traffic flowing in the area of the new Cabela’a store at Preston Crossing.

[.........]

Read more:
http://ckom.com/story/high-traffic-volumes-expected-cabela-s-grand-opening-saskatoon/56195

[Echoes]

Historic church must be saved

The StarPhoenix May 10, 2012

A dwindling congregation might not be able to afford to repair and preserve the majestic Third Avenue United Church building downtown, but a rapidly growing and booming Saskatoon and Saskatchewan cannot afford to let the historic structure be sold off to face an uncertain fate.

The 99-year-old English Gothic-style building, whose main body features Tyndal stone from Manitoba and features three huge stained glass windows and a giant Casavant organ, boasts arguably the best acoustics of any facility in Saskatoon - a quality attributed to the design of the very roof that could now decide its fate.

It's nearly inconceivable that for the want of $250,000, this magnificent structure could be put on the market, with the United Church presbytery reluctant to grant the congregation's request to apply for heritage status for the building, citing concerns that restrictions that accompany the designation would dissuade potential buyers.

"A purchaser might well preserve the building, but not exactly to the standards required by heritage," offered Rev. Ron McConnell, who, although he heads the presbytery executive, said he wasn't speaking for the entire body.

While Rev. McConnel's concerns are understandable, especially since the presbytery membership would be on the hook for ongoing repairs and maintenance of the historic church if it's designated as a heritage site and cannot be sold, there's a wider community interest at stake here in preserving an important part of Saskatoon's historic legacy and its built heritage.

From the demolished Sanatorium, Capitol Theatre and Ross block to the wrecker's ball poised over St. Mary's School, the city's first Catholic school, Saskatoon has been too cavalier in sacrificing its historic landmarks at the altar of economic exigency. The Third Avenue church - incidentally, it's where members of the Saskatchewan Grain Growers Association and Farmers Union got together in 1926 to form the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool - cannot become the next to join that ignoble list.

[....]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Historic+church+must+saved/6596557/story.html#ixzz1uTkZHxTO

[prairieguy]

Originally Posted by ninipanini

Maybe 3rd Ave United could be turned into a bookstore? There is this FANTASTIC bookstore in an old cathedral in Maastricht, the Netherlands that I had the pleasure of visiting. I couldn't find a good website with lots of nice pictures, but if you type in "selexyz dominicanen - Maastricht" into google images you can see for yourself

edit: I found a good website: http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/40509/sacred-bookstore/

Pretty spectacular re-use of space. Maybe rather then a book store, our public library could look at this space as they are looking to expand. What a fantastic public amenity it could be if there is sufficient space!

[Measuring Stick]

The book store idea while looking very nice, is not a good one economically. Why would you convert a beautiful building into a book store when the largest book store chains are going bankrupt everywhere. I support the idea of repurposing the 3rd Ave Church but a book store is not a use I would support. Hopefully it can become a music venue or comparable use soon though.

A bit off topic, but I even question the expansion of the library coming at a time when physical books are less and less in demand. I think we should be looking at how libraries need to transform to fit with modern day use. Whether this be more computers to allow access to those less fortunate or some type of inexpensive E-reader rentals. I know this does not work for every book as not all are available yet...but this is a reality that must be investigated. Fifty years from now I would be surprised if we find libraries full of books.

[Brutopian]

City gets support for new vacant lot development

Report calls for cap on grant money

By Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix May 10, 2012 9:07 AM

The city's popular incentive program for vacant lot development exceeded expectations, but some changes are needed to discourage misuse of incentives, a city report says.

Nineteen homeowners and developers qualified for about $850,000 in tax abatements and grants in the program's first year, says a report that went to city council's planning and operations committee this week.

The report also suggested several policy changes to prevent developers from taking advantage of a program aimed at chronically vacant lots in older neighbourhoods.

A lot has to be vacant for one year to qualify for incentives, but city administration recommended the criteria increase to four years.

[........]

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/City+...lopment/6596533/story.html#ixzz1uUEo5sVf

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by dsim249

Where exactly is this to be located?

Between the Arts tower and the main library (Murray library). I hope they'll release more details soon so we will know exactly where it will be.

e: apparently it will connect to the arts tunnel and a tunnel to the new health sciences building.

[Brutopian]

Photos: Cabela’s opens to major fanfare in Saskatoon

After a sneak peak for media last month, the 50,000-square-foot Cabela's store in Saskatoon opened on May 10 to the public.

May 10, 2012 1:01 PM The StarPhoenix

A huge crowd was on hand May 10 at the new Cabela's store in Preston Crossing in Saskatoon.

Photograph by: Greg Pender, The StarPhoenix

PHOTOS CAN BE VIEWED HERE: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Photos+Cab...skatoon/6517207/story.html#ixzz1uUek4Mj7

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Douglas Cardinal design unveiled for U of S student centre

CBC News Posted: May 9, 2012 9:42 PM CST Last Updated: May 9, 2012 10:09 PM CST

The design of a new student centre for the University of Saskatchewan was unveiled Wednesday, featuring the work of celebrated architect Douglas Cardinal.

The building, to be known as the Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre, has been in the works for years.

[...........]

Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchew...student-centre-design-u-sask-120509.html

Renderings from the StarPhoenix:





Source

[CCF]

How do we feel about that Cardinal design? I'm personally not so sure - but I'm generally against architecture that serves as an island to itself rather than engaging the public realm appropriately. Maybe that's too much of a generalization based off some prelim renderings.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by CCF

How do we feel about that Cardinal design? I'm personally not so sure - but I'm generally against architecture that serves as an island to itself rather than engaging the public realm appropriately. Maybe that's too much of a generalization based off some prelim renderings.

He sure is a one trick pony.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by Echoes

Renderings from the StarPhoenix:





Source

A couple more:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/usask/sets/72157627799000357/

I am a bit concerned about where it will be located. There are a couple beautiful islands of trees in Wiggins court that I wouldn't want removed.

This picture seems to indicate that it will be located centrally in Wiggins Court, just across from the Arts tower.... I really hope that isn't the case because that area is probably the most beautiful on campus:

[Cicero]

Nevermind!

Here's a 74 page pdf of the project that explicitly shows where it will be located: http://www.djcarchitect.com/stories/gordonoakes.pdf



They'll have to chop down some trees, but this piece of land is barely used except by the rare few who use it as a shortcut to enter or exit Arts by those in a rush (me). I like that they are creating a tunnel to health sciences across the road as well.