Here’s what’s happening:
Concept Design of New Central Library Released, Phase Two Consultations Begin / May 2021
Saskatoon Public Library has released the concept design for the new central library. Designed by Alfred Waugh (Formline Architecture) and Stephan Chevalier (Chevalier Morales Architectes), the building’s concept draws inspiration from traditional First Nation and Métis architecture. The exterior of the building references the First Nation tipi, while the interior mass timber structure references the Métis log cabin. The design…
Concept Design Phase Update: What We Heard Report / April 2021
Thank you to everyone who participated in consultations during the concept design phase for Saskatoon’s new central library! This report summarizes the major themes of the input and ideas that we received. The design team participated in many of the Advisory Committee meetings, in all of the virtual conversations with patrons via Zoom, and they received all responses received through…
Community Engagement Begins on the New Central Library Design / January 2021
Beginning Jan 25, 2021, Saskatoon Public Library begins embarking on an 18-month engagement process to involve the community in the design of the new central library. There will be community consultation at each key phase of the design process. The first stage of the design process is the concept design. The Thinking Big! consultation series (Jan 25 – Feb 19,…
Join a Resident Advisory Committee to help shape the new central library design / December 2020
In support of the new central library’s vision to be a welcoming, inclusive and barrier-free place for everyone who calls Saskatoon home, we are recruiting members for Resident Advisory Committees. Advisory Committees membership will consist of community leaders, advocates, experts and community members with lived experience. The Project Team will consult the Committees at critical stages during the new central…
Design Contract Value & Details / November 2020
The prime design contract is valued at $4.8 million, which includes the design team and eleven other sub-consultants. Sub-consultants will oversee areas such as mechanical, civil, electrical and structural engineering; landscape architecture and wayfinding; sustainability; acoustics; building envelope; security and audio-visual; and cost. In this case, the sub-consultants are mostly local firms. In other words, approximately $2 million dollars (about…
Canadian team led by Indigenous architect Alfred Waugh to design the new central library / November 2020
Today, we are pleased to announce the award-winning team consisting of Formline Architecture, Chevalier Morales Architectes and Architecture49 will serve as the design team for the new central library. Architects Alfred Waugh (Formline Architecture) and Stephan Chevalier (Chevalier Morales Architectes), both with over 25 years of experience, will design the new central library. Architecture49 will manage the project. We chose…
Questions about the new central library’s cost and funding plan? / September 2020
You might be hearing conversations in the community about the new central library and how much it will cost taxpayers. As with any project of this magnitude, we appreciate there is a high expectation of transparency, something we have been and remain committed to. We firmly believe the new central library is an investment that will benefit the community for…
RFP for Prime Design Consultant Services released / September 2020
Sep 8 – Today, we released the design brief (functional program) and a request for proposal for prime design consultant services for the new central library! The team will be selected in October. The functional program is a statement of building needs, which the architect will use to design the new central library. It articulates the vision for the building….
SPL purchases land for new central library / April 2020
Apr 1 – SPL purchased land for the new central library at 321-2nd Avenue North drawing from the library’s reserve funds in February 2020, and took possession of the property on April 1, 2020. The site runs along 2nd Avenue between 24th & 25th Street.
New central library project approved / November 2019
Nov 25 – Today, City Council approved $67.5 million in borrowing for the new central library project. With that, it’s official, Saskatoon, you’re getting a new central library in 2026! In January 2020, Council subsequently passed a motion of intent to borrow the funds for the library.