Saskatoon Central Library | 4 Floors | U/C

[FarmerHaight]

I would give a snowball's chance in hell to the library being completed in 2027. So whatever "plans to minimize service disruptions to library service" SPL makes, they better be workable for 5 years or more.

The only way the Central Library construction costs will be brought back in-line with the library budget, even with a 3% inflationary increase until the completion date, is with some heavy-handed value engineering. I really hope the SPL isn't forced to build a boring box with a bunch of spandrel and no imagination (or scrap a significant number of the functional spaces inside the library), but with no foreseeable gift of funds from the city or deflation of construction costs coming down the pipe, and with the pressure that will mount to "just build a replacement already" once the current central branch is vacated, I don't know how Saskatoon will still get its landmark central branch that would be a treasured community asset for the next 100 years or more.

[Echoes]

NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION TO START
May 2024

Let the countdown begin!

The new central library will open at 321 2nd Avenue North in the summer of 2027. Our first step will be to remediate the site between July and September, and construction is scheduled to begin in October 2024.

We are hosting a groundbreaking ceremony at the new site on Tuesday, Jun 25 at 9:30 am. A community celebration at Frances Morrison Central Library will follow from 4 – 7 pm. We invite everyone to attend to enjoy entertainment and participate in commemorative projects. Watch our socials and website for more information!

Learn more about the project timeline.

We have reduced construction costs by working closely with our architect, general contractor, engineering and design-assist trades teams. Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) is steadfast in our commitment to building the new central library within our available funding sources without requesting additional borrowing. We are under tremendous budget pressures, but we are confident in our ability to deliver the project within or close to the current budget. Our dedication to responsible financial management ensures that every dollar is used to its fullest potential for the benefit of our community. We will continue to provide updates on project financials as time goes on.

Learn more about the budget and cost controls.

We made significant changes to the building to reduce construction costs. The library is smaller, though this has been achieved primarily by reducing non-public spaces. The library’s exterior, inspired by the First Nations tipi, was simplified, but the design integrity remains. The interior exposed mass timber structure, which references traditional Métis log home design, was modified but remains the building’s primary structural support. The universally accessible design features are unchanged. SPL expects to be the first library in Canada to receive the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification.

Learn more about the changes made to the library design.

Your financial support is crucial to the realization of the new central library. We aim to raise $15,000,000 through community giving. Donations of any size – a testament to your belief in the power of lifelong learning and community – are graciously accepted online and at any library location. Naming opportunities are available for many gifts.

Explore how your gift will support lifelong learning in Saskatoon.

We have been diligently saving for a new central library as a community for over 15 years. Between 2009 and 2026, the library levy increases incrementally. However, we’ve ensured that these increases are manageable for our community, even during challenging economic times. The average homeowner with an assessed property value of $371,000 will see less than $1.60 increases in 2025 and 2026, respectively. This means that by the time the library opens its doors, there will be no tax increases to fund the capital project or to pay back the loan.

Learn more about how this project is funded.

https://saskatooncentrallibrary.ca/n...tion-to-start/

[Echoes]

REDESIGN
Status: In Progress

SPL is committed to building the new central library and working with the construction industry to reduce costs through design revisions. We made scope changes to the functional plan to reduce construction costs.

CHANGES

The size of the facility was reduced by approximately 2,700 SM.
LEED® certification was removed as a project requirement, though the building will maintain a high level of sustainability.
The support services employee workspaces were removed.
The single automated materials handling unit was split into two parts: sorting for the central library, which will remain on-site, and system-wide/provincial sorting at an alternate location.
The basement was removed.
The adult collection staircase connecting the third and fourth levels was removed.
The raised-access floor was removed.
The natural ventilation feature was removed.
The gathering circle in the outdoor plaza will be designed to be added in the future.

MODIFICATIONS

The building’s exterior character (sloped and glazed curtain wall) is simplified but maintains the design integrity.
The mass timber structure has been removed from the employee areas and replaced with a concrete structure. However, it remains visible in the public areas.
The building’s footprint has been modified, but the tipi-inspired design remains.
Landscaping was simplified.
The wood acoustic ceiling panels strategy was simplified.
Savings were found in network infrastructure, audio-visual, door hardware and security cameras.
Windows were changed from triple to double pane and the low-iron glass was removed.
The west (backside) of the façade is metal-clad instead of limestone.
Reallocation of spaces within the floor plates resulted in cost savings (relocation of café, new & popular items area, theatre, materials handling, etc.)

UNCHANGED

Design changes did not impact the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification.
All public spaces, program rooms, collections, services and café remain as planned.

https://saskatooncentrallibrary.ca/design/redesign/

[phone]

At this point I'm just relieved they're not putting it into a quonset

[Echoes]

This honestly sounds much more encouraging than I was expecting. Of course this is all written to soothe our fears - and it's absent of new renderings at this point, so I'll reserve final judgment - but I was expecting a more dramatic chop to the building program and design principles.

[Saskabusher]

I think this is a very important cornerstone of downtown and the community as a whole. The preservation of our history rooms is what they're cutting, and moving from native limestone to tin siding really sucks. The Remais, giving 50 million to the polytechnic instead of this must have something to do with Saskatoon social circles, fingering each other or giving one to the other. It's a crying shame.

[phone]

Where do you see cutting the local history room?

[Echoes]

If true it would contradict this statement: "All public spaces, program rooms, collections, services and café remain as planned."

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by Saskabusher

... and moving from native limestone to tin siding really sucks.

The portion of the building that has metal cladding replacing limestone is the side that's facing the alley. If you're needing to cut costs, that seems like a pretty good choice.

[Wigs]

Just curious, is there an updated rendering of this project?

I can understand not wanting to build underground parking as it costs $25-30k plus per space, maybe 40k? in 2024 so 100 spaces could be $3-4 million plus added on to the project.

[phone]

I don't believe that updated renderings have been released, but would be happy to be proven wrong.

[prairieguy]

Relieved, like others, to read it is back on track. However, that does sound like pretty significant changes. I have no issue with the backside being clad in metal or some modifications to landscaping, but some of the interior aesthetic changes and loss of connecting staircase seems a shame.

It must have been significantly over budget when quotes came in.....too bad and kind of sad.

[Saskabusher]

Originally Posted by phone

Where do you see cutting the local history room?

Oh, I did word that wrong. I meant the archival space in the back. In the original plan they had a significant space it seemed for current and future historical preservation, a huge vault area, if you will. No way are they cutting the public local history room. My bad. 10,000 feet less has to come from somewhere, but they are also cutting out the basement and workspaces for employees. Another hint is the footprint is smaller, so the space the public doesn't see is smaller, if what they see in the original is about the same. Clear as a summer day now, haha.

[Stormer]

What is the latest budget for this project?

[Echoes]

Saskatoon Public Library holds groundbreaking for new downtown branch
Work is underway at the site of the replacement for the 1960s era Frances Morrison Central Library.

Author of the article: Bryn Levy
Published Jun 25, 2024

Grey skies and a light drizzle didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm at an event to officially mark the beginning of work on the Saskatoon Public Library’s new downtown branch.

“Hey! We’re going to build the public library — let’s celebrate!“ declared Mayor Charlie Clark as he encouraged a crowd of about 100 people to cheer at a groundbreaking ceremony at the now-empty parcel of land at 321 Second Ave. N., which will be the site of the new building.

Clark noted SPL has been working and putting away money since 2009 to move on from the nearly 60-year-old Frances Morrison Central Library building on 23rd Street East. Various downtown locations have been eyed as potential replacements along the way before the new site was chosen.

“In today’s fast-paced world where public space and community connections have been diminished, libraries are as important as ever,” Clark said, noting Canadian cities including Halifax, Edmonton and Calgary have all in recent years completed new downtown library builds.

He said he views a new, modern library facility as a necessity to meet the needs of Saskatoon’s rapidly growing population, rather than a “nice-to-have” luxury item.

Work at the site was meant to start last summer, but the library’s board was forced to pause the project for a redesign as inflation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic made the previous design impossible to construct within the $134 million budget.

SPL interim CEO and director of libraries Beth Côté said it “wasn’t unusual” for the library to find itself grappling with cost challenges shared by the entire construction industry since the pandemic.

She said library officials are now confident that things will move forward smoothly after working with architects, trades and other design professionals on “value engineering” to re-scope the project.

Côté said the redesigned project “will not be exactly the same” as the artist’s renderings presented to the public in 2022, but will still feature a “beautiful, sloping” exterior meant to evoke “a lighted tipi off in the distance of the Prairies.” She said updated artist renderings are expected to be unveiled this fall.

The redesign was focused on maintaining square footage for public use, Côté said, noting that employee spaces were downsized, and some functions will be relocated to other sites in the city.

There was also a “re-thinking of some of the adjacencies” in the previous design in order to find more efficient ways to use available space, Côté added.

Tuesday’s ceremony marks the start of remediation on the site, which is expected to last throughout the summer. Construction is then set to begin this fall.

The Second Avenue site previously featured businesses including a gas station and a dry cleaner, which makes it necessary to remove potentially contaminated soil to prepare for construction.

Côté said with the redesign complete and work set to proceed, the new central library branch is on track to open to the public in 2027.

https://thestarphoenix.com/news/loca...owntown-branch

[4LSaskatoon]

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Oct. 4, 2024

[Echoes]

Design & Construction Update
November 2024

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.

https://saskatooncentrallibrary.ca/d...uction-update/

[Echoes]

Tower crane next month! With no excavation the structure should pop up relatively quickly.



https://saskatooncentrallibrary.ca/e...tion-progress/

[BillDing]

These renderings are making me very excited to see this building take shape. The views out of those large windows will be great (beyond the 7-11 across 2nd Ave haha)! This will put Saskatoon right up there with Calgary as the nicest central library for the major prairie cities, in my opinion.

[Saskabusher]

I'm still surprised no one with money came through to pad the budget, but at least it's being built.
I hope security is robust and they are serious about personal safety.
Besides that, this library is looking good! The ext. is definitely simplified, but the int looks fantastic. Many folks hate the idea of this place, but that's because they can hardly read. Get them down for a visit and they come around, just like the city did for the Remai Art Gallery.