r/saskatoon • u/_biggerthanthesound_ • Nov 27 '24
New renderings of the downtown Library News đ°
https://saskatooncentrallibrary.ca/explore/renderings-images/50
u/sask_j Nov 27 '24
This looks great! I hope it will better meet the needs of everyone, especially workers. Now they need to figure out some ways of addressing workers safety concerns.
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u/ilookalotlikeyou Nov 27 '24
when they got the downtown branch in calgary they made it so that the only people who have access are card holders. you have to swipe your card and security is right at the front. anyone can get a card still, but anyone can also have their access taken away if they are a problem.
this level of enforcement is probably inevitable if we keep growing. we do have a higher violent crime rate than calgary, so we should probably just do it sooner than later.
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 27 '24
Really? I was visiting there recently as someone without a library card in that province and we just walked right in.
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u/AnanasaurusRex Nov 27 '24
I was also there the other week and there was security but everybody was going in and out with no swiping to be seen
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u/sask_j Nov 27 '24
Then the city will have to have warming shelters OTHER than public facilities. Which, it seems, they're working on. But it's gotten so bad so quick, that the city is struggling to keep up. Luckily the province helps us with these societal issues.....hahahahahahahahaha
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u/Hevens-assassin Nov 27 '24
Yes, they should have that. A library shouldn't be a "warming shelter", other public services should be taking care of that, and we shouldn't expect librarians to become caretakers.
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u/Apprehensive_Bee4846 Nov 28 '24
Great idea. Security could also check bags to make sure weapons arenât brought in. Or drugs.
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u/falsekoala Last Saskatchewan Pirate Nov 27 '24
Better damn well bring Pooh's corner over.
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u/lavenderhaze054 Nov 28 '24
Pooh's Corner was so magical as a child! The little door that leads into the theatre story room is so ingrained in the childhoods of so many people in Saskatoon. I sure hope they create something equally as magical and whimsical for kids in the new location.
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u/Tortastrophe Holiday Park Nov 27 '24
Looks good. I hope it will house a ton of great community spaces, programs and services as well as being a kick-ass library.
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u/pollettuce Nov 28 '24
Building looks great- only big disappointment is the street in the render wasn't redesigned. No one wants a 6 lane stroad outside of a place for kids and the plans had the preferred option to redesign like the rest of 2nd ave- angle parking, 1 lane in each direction, and mid block crossing with bumpouts, so it'll be brutal if they axe that. It needs to be safe and comfortable outside libraries, not a dangerous highway.
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 28 '24
Someone elseâs comment mentions they are redesigning the street eventually. So thatâs good news.
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u/nicehouseenjoyer Nov 28 '24
100%, the amount of road space on that block is ridiculous.
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u/Melodic_Mention_1430 Nov 28 '24
That's just the downtown core in general lol not a very pedestrian friendly area
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u/lavenderhaze054 Nov 28 '24
These renderings look great! I'm looking forward to using the reading rooms, innovation labs, and multipurpose event spaces. I do wonder if the multipurpose space is only for rentals or booked events (i.e. birthday parties) or if it will be open for public use too because it would be a good place for meetings and studying in groups. I hope the innovation lab will have more crafting tools (i.e. sewing machine, cricuts, etc.) and the gaming rooms will be interesting to see as well. I hope they also install a bigger elevator for accessibility because the one at the main branch always seems so cramped and run down.
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u/Easy_Confidence5572 Nov 28 '24
That gallery picture has more people in it that the Remai sees all year :-)
Story Room: will never replace Pooh Corner
But yes, overall looks good. I hope all the cuts hasn't meant a cut in construction quality so we end up with another City building that needs a whole bunch of repairs, replacements and leak fixes after only a couple of years.
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u/the_bryce_is_right Nov 27 '24
They're also planning on putting angled parking outside, bike lanes (the jacked up truck guys will pissed) and other traffic calming measures. Should be a nice little block in the city.
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u/cervezabeerpijiu Nov 28 '24
As much as some of us would like bike lanes there I don't see any in the pictures. There is some bike parking in the picture. Have you seen that somewhere else? Would be interested in taking a look.
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u/the_bryce_is_right Nov 28 '24
I guess I misspoke, no true bike lanes but they're still planning a streetscaping project.
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u/PropertyHeavy1229 Nov 27 '24
This is great! I can't wait for it be built and be here on the weekends!
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u/wglsk Nov 28 '24
Looking forward to enjoying this space some day!
I hope the trees/grasses will be included faithfully - they add so much. I find Saskatoon projects generally undervalue landscaping.
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u/Thefrayedends Nov 27 '24
My favorite part of this is that I can only clearly see books in one of the 10+ images lol.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 27 '24
The page isn't complete. The images for the actual book spaces are marked as "Images coming soon" at the bottom.
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Nov 27 '24 edited Nov 29 '24
[deleted]
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u/voidzero East Side Nov 27 '24
The story room is bright, airy, and natural. Looks great, imo. Poohâs Corner is dark, depressing and squishy.
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u/nicehouseenjoyer Nov 28 '24
And bright as well, not the black prison aesthetic of the art gallery.
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u/ilookalotlikeyou Nov 27 '24
that story room looks pretty uninspired. why can't they just do another mural?
why is there a story room and story circle... it's so half-baked.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
I think the "story room" is an active reading area (rather than the rows of tables the adults have), while the story circles is specifically for storytellers.
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u/ilookalotlikeyou Nov 28 '24
i think one is just an indigenous inspired space, and the other one isn't.
in the photo you can see that it's a contained space with members of an audience interacting with people and objects on a stage.
as far as a children space goes, it seems really lazy and impersonal. and it would be nice for more murals or art to be on the walls then just a bunch of chic wood panelling. i think the design is pretty smart in general, it just lacks a 'saskatoonness' that i would like to see represented in our architecture. this is one of the problems with you outsource the construction to people who live 4000kms away. you lose the local character.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
These are designs from the company constructing the building. I think building designers rarely go deeply into decoration or furnishings. That will be up the staff after they start using the space. I expect the walls will have plenty of art.
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u/__Fernweh__ Nov 27 '24
I actually much prefer the rendering - not everything has to be over designed and decorated
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 27 '24
Plus, in real life spaces are always more colourful and messy. The rendering donât allocate for posters, art etc that users always put up.
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u/Suitable-Race-7197 Nov 27 '24 edited Nov 28 '24
I like it, I just hope they have thought it through - the falling ice from upper windows.
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u/Secret_Duty_8612 Nov 27 '24
I'm not sure what the purpose of a 'demonstration kitchen' is in a library but ok. I think it looks a little like an IKEA library but I'm looking forward to it. They do have to ensure that it doesn't just become a homeless shelter though. It is actually upon the city and the province to make sure that doesn't happen, because I do know, rightly or wrongly, some people are afraid of going to the current main branch now.
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 27 '24
Modern libraries are more than just books. Many have rooms that people use to record podcasts, multipurpose rooms for events and rentals and some have kitchens as a way to have more community engagement and learning about healthy eating etc.
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u/Kenthanson Nov 27 '24
Cooking classes mainly.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
^ Yep. This part of how the system will contribute to the community in an age when books are easier to access than they were a few decades ago.
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u/michaelkbecker Nov 28 '24
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 28 '24
Thankfully itâs already being built as per the renderings!
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u/Melodic_Mention_1430 Nov 28 '24
Costs could climb during construction which is possible you never know the final product until most builds are done. Look at Edmonton the renderings for their central library renewal did not look like the final renderings which I blame on the materials used. But It does give Calgary library vibes without the fancy facade, but I will say its not as bad as the Remai being a complete ripoff of the Halifax central library branch so plus on that front.
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u/Neat-Ad-8987 Nov 28 '24
This whole project is only one murder or serious assault away from being an empty building with no patrons.
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u/Constant_Chemical_10 Nov 27 '24
"library" lol
Going to turn into a homeless shelter by the time it gets up and running. Is there provisions for plexiglass panels for the union library staff to keep them safe? Metal detectors and security office at the front door?
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u/Trollgernaut418 Nov 27 '24
Oh ya? No homeless sleeping on a bench outside? Noone asking for a smoke or a dollar? Do people really think it's going to look like this?
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u/dj_fuzzy Nov 27 '24
You're an idiot
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u/Trollgernaut418 Nov 27 '24
I'm not wrong.
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u/dj_fuzzy Nov 27 '24
I don't think you understand the purpose of renderings.
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u/Trollgernaut418 Nov 27 '24
I'm aware. But this is a fucking joke just like the arena lol
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u/dj_fuzzy Nov 27 '24
Ok, so you're moving the goal posts now and comparing two completely different pieces of infrastructure. You understand the importance of libraries and the enormous, measurable benefits to society they provide, right?
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u/Trollgernaut418 Nov 27 '24
You mean a place homeless people will hang around like the current one?
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u/dj_fuzzy Nov 27 '24
If you mean that homeless people exist because there aren't proper supports and facilities for them, then yes. Just like every other city in Canada and the US.
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u/sask_j Nov 27 '24
You're arguing with (and giving karma) to a username trollgernaut. He's not here to have a discussion. He's here to make you mad.
You are correct. Move on.
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u/yxe306guy Nov 27 '24
And the big phucking "DONATE" button at the top....I'm gonna be donating enough through my taxes ffs!
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
I doubt if anyone expects you to donate.
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u/yxe306guy Nov 28 '24
Then WHY IS THE BUTTON LABELED "DONATE" on the rendering web site???????? Why not a "REBATE" button or nothing. Of course they want even more money. Give your head a shake
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
I didn't say they don't expect anyone to donate. Just you.
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u/yxe306guy Nov 28 '24
Wow. Over 50 posts in the last 24 hours. Huh.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
Got it. "I have no rebuttal, so I'll try to make fun you instead"
Sadly for that position, I'm quite proud of how fast I type.
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u/yxe306guy Nov 28 '24
I didn't say 50 posts was a bad thing. It's actually remarkable and explains your high karma score. That takes a fair amount of commitment and dedication. I don't have that much energy or time. You actually won an award as a top 1% commentor. Wow. THAT'S IMPRESSIVE!!
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
Of course you didn't say it. Nor did you say it this time. It's still not going to work as an attack. I happen to be active in a couple of communities that aren't particularly large, both for relatively obscure online games. It doesn't take much to be a top 1% commenter in them and I'm aware it is nothing but an attempt by Reddit to encourage people to post more.
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u/greenwolf_12 Nov 27 '24
very nice, that's going to be a great place for drug trades and stabbings.
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u/Zeberdee97 Nov 28 '24
The new downtown library will be giant white elephant within decade. A glorified overbuilt Internet cafe that generates zero revenue. Such an irresponsible investment for our city.
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u/No-Illustrator-2150 Nov 28 '24
When governments build roads and bridges, do people ask how it âgenerates revenueâ?
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u/Melodic_Mention_1430 Nov 28 '24
That's not a great comparison lol infrastructure such as roads and bridges do help with generating revenue for a city.
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u/Zeberdee97 Nov 28 '24
Roads and bridges are necessities, libraries are luxuries. Libraries are unnecessary. Nobody will go there because of the major problems that our downtown already faces with rampant drug use and homelessness. We need to fix that before we start looking at any luxurious expensive buildings. I have a 5 year old daughter and the last time I took her downtown, we walked beside a man carrying a metal pipe threatening people. We then went to the midtown and saw a man punching security guards. The library is going to be swimming with these cockroaches.
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u/ninjasowner14 Nov 28 '24
To be technical, it allows residents to get to work and generate revenue...
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u/raptorhandlerjenny Nov 28 '24
Libraries allow individuals to research for their education, create art and podcasts, and find jobs.
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u/Zeberdee97 Nov 28 '24
You can do that all from the comfort of your own home. Do you realize how much debt the country of Canada is in right now? Building costs skyrocketed 30% since Covid. Itâs so irresponsible to build anything that doesnât generate revenue.
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u/spaceman_88 Nov 27 '24
Iâd rather have graded streets because we seem to get snow here. If we are that poor a library shouldnât be in the budget along with a downtown arena that will cost 10 times the price today, billions more.
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u/bangonthedrums Living Here Nov 27 '24
Library money does not come out of the same bucket as snow clearing. They are their own tax entity
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u/dr_clownius Nov 28 '24
Yes, libraries can assess their own taxes. If the City wanted to play hardball, they could charge the library enough in service charges as to capture the library's revenue. "Oh, you've raised 100M through library taxes? Your water bill is now 20M/y.".
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u/TheLuminary East Side Nov 27 '24
I think you forget that all taxes come from the same source. The tax base. Just because there are two hands digging for money, does not mean that there is more money to go around.
Every dollar that the library takes is a dollar that the city cannot.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
We don't have to forget it. The city can't take library funds any more than the federal government can take provincial tax money. Maybe if citizens were to donate 15 million to tax removal like they have for the library we'd have better snow removal.
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u/TheLuminary East Side Nov 28 '24
I wasn't suggesting the city take library funds.
But every dollar the library takes from tax payers, is a dollar that the city can't also take. People only have so many dollars.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
That's absolutely true.
The things is, there is always going to be competition for that money. The NIH has a paper from about 4-5 years ago provides a solid research paper on the positive effect of libraries on the health and well being of the community.
A search for:
libraries health community nih
should turn it up in the top few results.
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u/TheLuminary East Side Nov 28 '24
Maybe so, but completely not relevant to my point.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
I guess we'll disagree. I see the money as providing more value to the citizens than it would if spent on snow clearing.
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u/TheLuminary East Side Nov 28 '24
The post that you replied to was just talking about how a dollar already taxed cannot be used for something else.
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
And I don't disagree with that. Only the implication of your later words in the context of following the original sub-thread creators claim that the library shouldn't be in the budget before grading.
"Every dollar that the library takes is a dollar that the city cannot" implies that the library's use is less valid than the city's. I think the money is better spent on a library than on extra grading.
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u/spaceman_88 Nov 27 '24
So put the library tax dollar bucket on hold, we could and will likely get a lot more snow this winter. The city spent $300,000 just naming the new bus system, itâs all an expensive joke.
Nobody can get to the library if the streets are impassable or just destroy your suspension or worse just to get to the precious library.
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u/bangonthedrums Living Here Nov 27 '24
The city doesnât have the legal authority to just take money from the library budget. It would be like Saskatoon taking money out of Martensvilleâs budget. They are separate tax entities
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u/spaceman_88 Nov 28 '24
So taxes I pay to the city donât go to the library?
Itâs all from the same pot of money. Thatâs the simplest way I can explain it to you.
These âentitiesâ are part of the entire budget that certainly CAN be adjusted. Your example about Martinsville is laughable and way off from the topic at hand.
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u/bangonthedrums Living Here Nov 28 '24
No, you pay some taxes to the city, and you pay different taxes to the library, in the same way you pay yet different taxes to the province and different taxes again to the feds
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u/spaceman_88 Nov 29 '24
In laymanâs terms, some of my taxes are paying for taxes but nothing in the 6% property tax increase has anything to do with it.
The libraryâs havenât grown in many years but yet the amount of managers in the libraryâs has increased significantly. At least a 100% increase. That is not justifiable and the public deserves to know about that expense detail.
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 27 '24
Did you know that the average homeowner paid an additional $1.60 per year than the last (making it about $243 total in a year) for this new library. So not much.
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u/spaceman_88 Nov 27 '24
Did you know $300,000 of your tax dollars were spent naming the new bus system??
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u/TheLuminary East Side Nov 27 '24
Just because its not a lot, does not mean that it is not money that could have gone to other tax funded projects.
Tax bases only have so much money, and the city decides its property taxes knowing it is not in a vacuum.
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 27 '24
Right. And to most people, the cost of this is an important and critical community program. Which is why it has the funding that it has allocated to it.
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u/TheLuminary East Side Nov 27 '24
Sure. But that does not discount OP's statement that he would have preferred to just have more money for snow removal.
I am inclined to agree.
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ Nov 27 '24
Youâre right. He can have that opinion. Iâm just glad that the members of council donât share that, because this project is worth it.
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u/TheLuminary East Side Nov 27 '24
this project is worth it.
To you
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
To lots of people. Plenty of us talk all the time about how we should be doing more to provide outlets for people (especially kids and teens) before they get drawn into criminal activity. This is a solid part of addressing that. Cooking classes, a gaming room, a space for learning to produce video, all of these are intended to engage the community and we hope they will divert a few people away from things we'd rather they not be doing.
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u/quality_keyboard Nov 27 '24
This is so dumb. Just put libraries in the malls like they started to in Regina
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
They tried to get into Midtown after Sears went under and the mall owners wouldn't make it financially feasible for a system that isn't generating sales of hundreds of dollars a square foot. If other malls get desperate here, maybe some branches will end up in them.
Malls are dying. If they don't pivot soon there won't be any left in a decade. T
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u/Melodic_Mention_1430 Nov 28 '24
Regina isn't doing that for their central library though, what they should have done is partnered with a developer to add in housing to the library like Regina is going to do and many other cities have started to do. Its a great way to save money and also add much needed density to the area. But at least this project looks unique to Canada unlike Remai which looks similar to the Halifax Central Library.
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u/ninjasowner14 Nov 28 '24
Whats the cost again? Either way, I would be shocked if it was smaller then 9 digits.
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u/lavenderhaze054 Nov 28 '24
There is a funding plan listed, looks like they've been saving a reserve to build this since 2009. https://saskatooncentrallibrary.ca/about/budget/funding-plan/
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u/ninjasowner14 Nov 28 '24
Which is fair, I just see 5 million in windows at least so that's my main point
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u/WriterAndReEditor Nov 28 '24
I think everyone would be shocked. Since it's 125,000 square feet, you couldn't rent it for a year for less 9 digits.
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u/Crimbustime Nov 28 '24
It feels like they just took the old Francis Morrison Library, rearranged it and slapped a new exterior on it.
I do like the design but I feel like itâs exactly the same as the old building functionally.
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u/[deleted] Nov 27 '24
Despite all the downvotes I'm likely to get(this sub's pretty negative in general these days), I think it looks nice and I'm looking forward to it.