‘Quite a lot of work’ lies ahead for library after delivery of business case

Saskatoon Public Library’s (SPL) proposed $154 million-centralized library took a step back Monday, as council voted unanimously to look for more information about the business case SPL presented.

Library chair Lisa Erikson stood in front of council and presented the case, but it raised questions from councillors and Mayor Charlie Clark on a number of issues swirling around the proposed library.

“We’ve done rigorous analysis to present a project that balances cost and need. The board is deeply committed … we are ready, for a new central library,” Erikson said.

They asked for a loan of $87.5 million from the city, to be paid back in a library levy, but council was weary of the high costs linked to their own capital spending and if it would hurt their triple-A credit rating.

In the end, three motions were passed that outlined administrative reports by the city including financial, revenues, environmental impact and overall community well-being. Additionally, a report on the city’s debt level and future ability to borrow for future years past the 2020-21 budget.

A focus on the design will also be assessed, with impact on branch libraries, services they are looking to offer and if private sectors will be competing with the library, such as room rentals.

The motion that didn’t pass unanimously was Coun. Bev Dubois’ proposal of a report for open space and capacity including inventories, demand and availability, comparisons and projections. It did end up passing by a vote of 6-3, with councillors Mairan Loewen, Darren Hill and Hilary Gough voting against it. Counc. Ann Iwanchuk was not in attendance.

Dubois said she wants the project to continue on, but knows that it’s going to be “quite a lot of work” to get the necessary information to finish the budgetary deadline in November.

“I just want it done right, and I want us to have all the information so we can move forward in the correct way,” she said.

Loewen wasn’t confident in the time frame in gathering the information wanted by some Councillors.

“I feel like I’m hearing some resistance around the table today on the basis of this being somehow, coming out of nowhere. I want to push against that.

“It feels to me like there are some roadblocks being thrown up here in an attempt to punt this into the next term of council, to be totally honest,” Loewen said.

Coun. Darren Hill said he hadn’t heard of “due diligence and fiscal review” considered as a “roadblock,” and that he expected the business case to be presented to council earlier, rather than months before the November budget talks.

Saskatoon’s triple-A credit rating circled many of the talks between city councillors Monday as well. Counc. Gersher originally brought up the credit ratings, and said she wanted a better sense of where the city is at.

“We still have a triple-A credit rating. I’m proud of that. I’m just looking to understand what the tipping point is,” Gersher said.

In the end, there was no time frame set for the reports, with mixed reactions on whether this can be done by the time budget is deliberated in November.