Saskatoon Public Library eyeing new $154 million downtown building

The Saskatoon Public Library is set to make its pitch for a new $154 million downtown building.

A business case report going before a city council committee next week will outline the library’s desire to update the aging Frances Morrison Central Library downtown.

The report suggests the 53-year-old library has become too small to serve as Saskatoon’s central library.

“Lack of capacity and high demand for service is straining the Saskatoon Public Library’s ability to provide library service across the city,” the report said. “As a result of the small size and condition of the facility, Frances Morrison Central Library has troubling service gaps including lack of public space, an inability to support the technology needs of patrons, lack of programming rooms, an undersized collection, and safety and security concerns.”

The current 87,000 square foot space was designed with the intention to employ 50 people and hold 100,000 items in the collection. There are currently 87 employees and more than 256,000 collections.

With Saskatoon’s population expected to grow to 500,000 people in the next 30-40 years, the library also wants to address the building’s sorely needed update — especially since 48 per cent of Saskatoon residents were members of the library in 2018, according to the report.

“(The) Frances Morrison Central Library is deficient on significant building codes (dating back nearly 20 years), many of which create safety risks for the organization,” the report said. “Some of the most critical issues are a lack of a sprinkler system in the event of a fire, not enough fire exits, accessibility issues, and only a handful of public washrooms.”

There are also concerns of a leaking roof, and mechanical systems that need to be modernized.

 Sights set on 2026 for opening of new building

The library is proposing to build an estimated 149,000 square foot facility, nearly double the size of the current space.

Hopes are to include a larger collection, indoor and outdoor green spaces, a mix of quiet and animated spaces, and technology-centred learning and innovation spaces on top of more private and public meeting spaces.

The new central library estimated project cost is $154 million. Funding is combined from reserve funds, land sale proceeds, donations and $87.5 million in borrowing which would be paid back through a library levy.

The new central library is planning to open in 2026.

Upwards of $132 million in economic activity could be generated in the construction phase, with $15 million more expected annually.

No site for the new library has been finalized. The business case report will go before city council’s governance and priorities committee on Monday.