Saskatoon Central Library | 4 Floors | U/C - Page 7

asdfgh · #**121** Posted **Jun 8, 2025, 10:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4LSaskatoon

The progress on this is great to watch. Of any recent build of a major project in Saskatoon, this seems to be the most focused, with it seemingly going up quite quickly. It's great to see.

Echoes · #**122** Posted **Jun 9, 2025, 4:52 PM**

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

prairieguy · #**123** Posted **Jun 9, 2025, 5:22 PM**

You can start to see the scale of the finished building with the perimeter 'foundation' of concrete going in. Perhaps it will not quite be as originally visioned, but should still be a nice addition to Saskatoon architecture.

skeet1991 · #**124** Posted **Jun 9, 2025, 8:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairieguy

You can start to see the scale of the finished building with the perimeter 'foundation' of concrete going in. Perhaps it will not quite be as originally visioned, but should still be a nice addition to Saskatoon architecture.

I may be in the minority here, but I think the final designs (final, final designs, after reimagining for inflated budget) are much better than the old final design. I think that what we are ultimately getting is more modern, streamlined, and potentially iconic.

Before:

After (what they are currently building):

Crisis · #**125** Posted **Jul 21, 2025, 12:03 AM**

Mass timber columns and beams suddenly appeared on Friday and Saturday. Quite a few are now in place along the north part of the building.

asdfgh · #**126** Posted **Jul 21, 2025, 6:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crisis

Mass timber columns and beams suddenly appeared on Friday and Saturday. Quite a few are now in place along the north part of the building.

Oooooh, that is exciting. This seems to be going up fast!

4LSaskatoon · #**127** Posted **Jul 21, 2025, 11:00 PM**

4LSaskatoon · #**128** Posted **Aug 5, 2025, 6:55 PM**

Echoes · #**129** Posted **Aug 8, 2025, 3:42 PM**

2nd floor timber beams are being installed.

I think this is going to turn out great, but I'll admit I was worried about the consequences when it first came back over budget. To skeet1991's earlier post, I agree that the revised design seems to actually be an improvement to the original, at least in terms of the exterior. It looks like a more elegant structure in the latest renders.

My one disappointment is that the cost-cutting removed a spiral staircase and open atrium between lounge spaces on the 3rd and 4th floors. I think these spaces will be the library's living room and it would have really elevated the experience to connect them in this way.

All in all, this is an exciting addition to public architecture in the city, and I love the idea of the Remai and the library anchoring separate ends of 2nd Avenue in the downtown.

4LSaskatoon · #**130** Posted **Aug 14, 2025, 9:00 PM**

4LSaskatoon · #**131** Posted **Aug 23, 2025, 10:37 PM**

prairieguy · #**132** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 7:41 PM**

Wow...the pace of construction seems really fast! That is fantastic to see and appreciate all the photo updates!

asdfgh · #**133** Posted **Aug 26, 2025, 2:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4LSaskatoon

This is looking really great, and seems to be going up very fast!

Exciting to see this progress. Thanks for the pictures.

Saskabusher · #**134** Posted **Aug 31, 2025, 2:56 PM**

Thanks, 4LSaskatoon, for the updates! This thing is like a mini Sturdy Stone, (only better looking even in its bones), in its impact on downtown. And with the landscaping, it'll add a new greenery to the area. No losses here at all. Just a win. (Although I know locals who hate it and keep complaining). Kudos to the Library Board for getting it done.

Brutopian · #**135** Posted **Sep 5, 2025, 4:46 PM**

SPL central library update says project will arrive on time, grand opening slated for 2027

By Keira Miller
CJWW
Sep 4, 2025

Saskatoon Public Library’s administration is announcing that the new central library will be built on time and on budget, mostly.

A release from SPL confirmed a 2027 completion date and that no new library levy increases will be required to fund the capital project. However, the project did come in $16 million over budget, but this will be offset by existing library reserves, meaning the funding plan for the new central library remains unchanged.

[........]

Read more:
https://www.cjwwradio.com/2025/09/04...ource=hs_email

4LSaskatoon · #**136** Posted **Sep 5, 2025, 10:06 PM**

4LSaskatoon · #**137** Posted **Sep 16, 2025, 6:28 PM**

Brutopian · #**138** Posted **Sep 16, 2025, 8:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4LSaskatoon

Thanks for the great photos, 4LSaskatoon! I drove past the site today and the structure is rather stunning and beautiful in person. Makes quite the impression driving by. Very impactful. Great for the city.

Wyku · #**139** Posted **Sep 17, 2025, 3:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brutopian

Thanks for the great photos, 4LSaskatoon! I drove past the site today and the structure is rather stunning and beautiful in person. Makes quite the impression driving by. Very impactful. Great for the city.

Agreed! It's quite the site to see as you approach 25th street. Still not sure it's required to be so nice for a library, but the flipside of that is that the public will be able to go inside it and not just look from the outside.

Brutopian · #**140** Posted **Sep 17, 2025, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyku

Agreed! It's quite the site to see as you approach 25th street. Still not sure it's required to be so nice for a library, but the flipside of that is that the public will be able to go inside it and not just look from the outside.

Our family spent time in Oslo last year and spent almost an entire day just at Oslo's main library -- precisely because it was so interesting and inviting architecturally and socially. Wonderful vibe. Libraries are more than just shelves of books.