Location chosen for new Saskatoon library

A location has been chosen for the planned new library in downtown Saskatoon.

The Saskatoon Public Library has purchased a plot of land on the west side of Second Avenue North, between 24th Street and 25th Street.

The library board has agreed to spend $9 million to buy the land, which currently holds a parking lot and multiple shops.

Brett Bradshaw, the Saskatoon Public Library board chair, told 650 CKOM’s Brent Loucks the plans for construction are still in early stages.

“We don’t have a (construction date.) We’re still aiming for that target of some time within 2026 to open, but it’s really under review given what’s going on.”

“Our focus right now is on serving the community in the midst of COVID-19, but having this land in place is exciting and does help us move forward, albeit perhaps under a different timeline.”

A design and the amount of space used has not been decided yet.

“We’re not at that stage of the process. We’re getting a team in place, and the next step would be to have an architect in place for the fall, and then start to envision some of that design,” she explained.

It will be built as a replacement for the Frances Morrison Central Library. The 54-year-old building will be kept open until the new library begins operating. Bradshaw expects that it will be sold afterward.