Presentation to RPL Board – June 25, 2013

Friends of the Regina Public Library

Presentation to the Regina Public Library Board, June 25, 2013

Friends of the Regina Public Library would like to bring forward some questions about the planning to upgrade Central Library.

1. When will the patron survey be occurring, what type of questions will it ask, how will it be conducted?

2. When will consultations be held on the Central Library? What kind of consultation process will the RPL be using? In addition to the on-line survey, will there be a single public meeting or a series of meetings? How will participants be able to share their views?

3. Will the RPL Board publicly confirm whether it is currently pursuing any options for renovating /adding on to the current library building?

4. Based on public interest that has been expressed, FRPL would like to repeat its request we would request that the architects prepare a design for renovation and expansion of the current Central Library building. From the Building Assessment report this is not only possible, but more cost-effective and would preserve the heritage of the current modernist building.

5. Is the Library Board thinking of submitting a new proposal to the P3 Canada Fund at any time? Would this be done for the June 30, 2013 deadline?

The survey done by FRPL found that there was some awareness about the plans at the time to demolish the Central Library building at Lorne and 12th Ave. and replace it with a multi-use facility containing private businesses in addition to a library. Almost 90 percent of respondents stated that they cared if the Central Library building was demolished. Ninety-nine percent said it was important to them that the Central Library building remains publicly owned. Ninety nine percent were concerned that they had not received details of plans to enter into a public private partnership. The majority of people (79%) were concerned with how the project would affect their taxes.

The Design Regina process has developed the following goals that would also support retaining the heritage of the modernist Central Library building.

Goal #1 – Conserving Heritage and Supporting Cultural Development

Conserve cultural heritage and support cultural development to enhance quality of life and strengthen community identity and cohesion.

8.1 Build partnerships and work collaboratively with community groups, other levels of government, and the private and voluntary sectors to encourage cultural development opportunities.

8.2 Collaborate with partners to encourage awareness and understanding of cultural resources and cultural heritage.

8.3 Identify, evaluate, conserve and enhance cultural heritage to improve quality of life and reinforce a sense of place.

8.4 Develop a framework of representative heritage themes that reflects our cultural identity and the diverse values of residents.

8.5 Ensure that the list of historic places recognized within the Heritage Property Register and Heritage Holding Bylaw adequately represents of the themes in the framework;

8.6 Require a cultural resource and heritage assessment to recognize historic places in new greenfield development and intensification at the City’s discretion;

8.7 Identify, and prioritize and develop locations that provide a sense of arrival and departure into significant cultural landscapes.

8.8 Refine the municipal financial incentive policies and programs to encourage the conservation of historic places.

Goal #4 – Culture and Heritage Planning

Ensure a practice of culture and heritage planning in the city.

8.15 Consider cultural resources and heritage implications in all areas of municipal planning and decision-making.

8.16 Protect, conserve and enhance historic places in accordance with the “Standards and Guidelines for Historic Places in Canada”.

This is an opportunity for the Regina Public library to make a name for itself in respecting heritage and culture to produce a design that would be well-supported in the community and we would hope that you are able to take advantage of this opportunity.

Thank you for the opportunity to make this presentation.

We would be pleased to engage in further discussion on these topics.