The building is old, and its systems and structures are failing. Library services are being impacted by the limitations of the current building.

Our staff do a great job now. We are making do, but we are stuffed into the space.

Anytime we want to introduce something new, we have to move or remove something else. Space is at a premium and it’s limiting us from doing all we could do for the community.

It’s too early to say. In 2020 (pre-Covid), we estimated a building cost of $125M in 2020 dollars. We know the cost will be more than that, and one of the first steps in the project will be to look at securing a design consultant to map out the project and provide a cost analysis.

Yes. During the interim period, library services will be temporarily relocated elsewhere in the downtown area. The exact location of services will be determined closer to the project kickoff.

The environmental impacts of the current building are considerable and every year it remains standing is another year of harmful impact. A new build will allow us to amend these issues so we don’t have as much impact in the years to come.

Environmental assessment is a part of the next phases of the renewal project. We will study the current building and its environmental impact and compare it with tear down and building a new structure with better consideration for best-practice environmental builds. But we are confident that a new build will far exceed the current when it comes to mitigating environmental impacts.

Safety is something that will happen naturally through good design. The popularity of a well-designed building will support safety because of the large number of people using it.

A challenge we have with the current building is the front entrance: it’s set back on the lot, and there is a large lobby, both of which can create a perception of a safety concern. Fixing this in a new design will be a top priority.

RPL will work with City of Regina to obtain any required approvals, balancing heritage value with affordability considerations.

Like our predecessors, we will also maintain important keepsakes including the plaque from the original Carnegie building opening in 1912, the Tyndel stone carved lintel in the lobby, and segments of the columns that flanked the main entrance.

Most importantly, a new build on the current property holds this place in downtown Regina as a part of our heritage – the location of the Central Library since 1912.

Central Library and the magnitude of its issues create significant risk that must be mitigated. Branch renewal is included in the Board’s strategic plan as a priority.

Once we get Central renewal moving forward, we will continue with branch renewal.