Although it’s still just a construction site, the renderings for the new Saskatoon Central Library have been unveiled.

Carol Shepstone, Saskatoon Public Library’s Director of Libraries and CEO, says in order to build the facility strictly with existing funding sources, and avoid asking for any additional tax increases to make it happen, SPL had to downsize its original plans for the building.

“We shrunk the overall square footage of the building a bit. We certainly removed some back-of-house staff spaces, so we’ve had to reallocate some of those to make this come in a little closer to our budget.” The cost of the new library was over $152 million in 2019.

The square footage was reduced from about 136,000 square feet to 124,860 square feet.

However, she says a lot of work has gone into maintaining the core spaces that were originally promised. For example, there will still be a theatre, a storytelling room, a kitchen facility, cafe, and study rooms, however they had to scrap back-of-house staff spaces and a natural ventilation system.

She adds that SPL continues to meet with CUPE 2669, comprised of Saskatoon Public Library workers, who have been in contract negotiations with their employer since June. She’s hopeful that the two parties will come to an agreement soon.

Construction tendering is currently 60 per cent complete, and the Saskatoon Central Library is expected to open by 2027.