THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24, 7:30 pm: CATHEDRAL CATALYST CONVERSATION, CATHEDRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE, 2900 13TH AVE
A chance to learn about, provide feedback on the city’s Catalyst Projects. Ward 3 City Councillor Andrew Stevens will be there to answer questions.
FRPL is VERY supportive of libraries. And so we support public discussion of different views about libraries. These are two opinions on Saskatoon’s new proposed downtown library.
Yann Martel: Replacing Saskatoon’s decrepit downtown library no luxury:
As the cost of living goes up and up and up — groceries, houses, restaurants and so on — libraries are still free. Yann Martel Oct 19, 2022 • October 20, 2022 https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/yann-martel-replacing-saskatoons-decrepit-downtown-library-no-luxury
A former Saskatoon mayoral candidate thinks the proposed new downtown Saskatoon library represents an unnecessary expense. Cary Tarasoff Oct 25, 2022 https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/cary-tarasoff-martel-glazes-over-new-saskatoon-librarys-real-issues
Saskatoon Public Library releases final design for new central branch:
Library CEO says project remains on time and on budget. Bryn Levy Oct 11, 2022 https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/saskatoon-public-library-releases-final-design-for-new-central-branch
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Friends of the Regina Public Library, library, Saskatchewan
The text of our presentation FRPL to Catalyst Committee, Oct 20, 2022 – Final
A display about libraries that have made additions to their buildings instead of tearing them down. FRPL Library Additions Display for Catalyst Ctte Oct 20, 2022
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged City of Regina, Friends of the Regina Public Library, FRPL, library, Regina Public Library, RPL
Regina Public Library is hosting tours from Oct 25 to 29, 2022 “to share information about the history of the building and some of the issues we are facing. Join us for a guided tour to hear about key concerns and remediation RPL has been undertaking to keep it safe. There will be opportunity to ask questions along the way. This tour provides a chance to learn more about the Central Library Renewal (CLR) project, one of the infrastructure projects being reviewed by the City of Regina’s Catalyst Committee. Tours begin in the lobby and will last approximately one hour. Tues, Oct 25 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Wed, Oct 26 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Wed, Oct 26 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Thurs, Oct 27 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Sat, Oct 29 10:00am – 11:00am For more information, and to register for a tour: https://central.reginalibrary.ca/” You must preregister – have your library card handy or be prepared to sign up for one.
Note that these tours are supposed to talk about the heritage aspects of the building, but their main focus will be on the problems with the building, to justify the RPL Board’s decision to tear it down. So be prepared for this line of thought, and your questions about the building.
Deadline Oct 31st: Send presentations that were given to the RPL Board, presentations given at Catalyst Committee and other thoughts to Catalyst Committee.
It has been suggested to us that it would be good to have your presentations and letters sent to the Catalyst Committee by the end of October.
Send to: Attention Co-chairs Tim Reid + Bob Hawkins at catalyst@regina.ca and
Tim Reid at tim.reid@real1884.ca and dakota.schmidt@real1884.ca
Bob Hawkins at bhawkins@regina.ca
Cc: Regina City Council Clerks at clerks@regina.ca – to forward to Mayor and all Council.
Reminder of this week’s meetings of the Catalyst Committee. See important articles and letters to the editor https://friendsofrpl.ca/central-branch-2021/media-coverage-central-library-2022/
Information on the Catalyst Committee https://beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee Regina Residents Invited to Provide Input on Once-in-a-Generation Catalyst Committee Projects, October 7, 2022 https://www.regina.ca/news/Regina-Residents-Invited-to-Provide-Input-on-Once-in-a-Generation-Catalyst-Committee-Projects/
Their report to Council in January 2023 will have a major influence on projects that will receive City Council support in the future.
Sessions Oct. 17 to 20, 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm
AGT Lounge, enter by Northwest door at Mosaic Stadium. Use Elevator 2 to the 3rd floor.
Parking in nearby lots, bus #12
Project proponents will make first presentation of about 30 minutes.
Members of the public can make presentations, 5 to 10 minutes is suggested, but there is no set time limit. You don’t have to submit your presentation in advance. You can bring PowerPoint presentations on a USB stick.
Monday: Multi-Purpose Event Centre
Tuesday: Regina Aquatics Centre
Wednesday: Multi-Purpose Outdoor Baseball Event Centre & Synthetic Outdoor Field Project (joint presentation)
Thursday: Modernization of the Central Library
People can sent in emails / letters to the Catalyst Committee. For full consideration, get them in by the end of October. Email questions and submissions to clerks@regina.ca with the subject line “Catalyst Committee”.
The BEHEARD survey will be posted on the City of Regina website (www.beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee) starting on October 17th.
There is no arrangement for broadcasting the event on the internet, so no ability to make a presentation remotely or to hear what is being said.
People can create display storyboards, to be at the AGT location by Friday Oct 14 or befor 11 am on the 17th
There is no downtown location for a discussion of the downtown.
Just posted by the City of Regina on Friday at 2:30 (ish) pm before the long weekend, a media release outlining the “opportunity” of 4 hours time to comment on the RPL proposal about Central Library. This Committee will make recommendations to the City of Regina about City support of major projects, including Central Library.
Regina Residents Invited to Provide Input on Once-in-a-Generation Catalyst Committee Projects, October 7, 2022
We would encourage the preservation of Heritage and Rehabilitation of RPL’s Central Library, a more environmental and less costly solution. https://friendsofrpl.ca/central-branch-2021/why-retaining-buildings-is-a-better-plan/
Examples of rehabilitation and additions to library buildings https://friendsofrpl.ca/central-branch-2021/library-additions-examples/
On Tuesday September 27th the RPL Board voted to demolish Central Library building and build a completely new building on the same site. However, the recommendations of the City’s Catalyst Committee, heritage designations and public views can still have a major influence on the next steps for Central Library.
On the 27th, after hearing presentations from members of the public asking for a delay in the vote to give people more time to review the reports related to the future of the Central Library building, the Board still went ahead and voted in favour of a tear down and construction of a new building.
The Motions: Three motions were passed by the RPL Board on Sept. 27. Six Board members voted in favour (See list of Board members https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/leadership ) Mayor Masters and Councillor Findura voted against all the motions. Final votes were 6 to 2 on the motions.
That the Regina Public Library Board concur in the Central Library Renewal Needs Assessment and Project Plan conclusion that “A New Build option is the preferred approach to meet project outcomes and balance functional needs with value for money” and, further, that the preferred location for a New Build is the historic location on the Library’s property at 12th Avenue and Lorne Street.
Second motion, notes from a recording of the meeting. “… that the determination of next steps be referred to the strategic plan committee” (The proper name of the RPL Committee is the Strategic Planning Committee. https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/leadership/board-committees
Third motion: For the Board to “… receive and file the Central Library Renewal Needs Assessment and Project Plan, the Stakeholder Engagement Summary and the Polling Report.”
What’s involved with a New Build
With the New Build, something has to be done with the “old” building. The Board voted to build again on the same site, so the site would not be sold.
Description from page 57 of the Needs Assessment and Project Planning report:
Option 6 : Design & Construct New (“New Build”)
Design and construct a purpose built space in downtown Regina to meet the functional and operational requirements of the Central Library
Disposal of the current facility and, if required, site
Selection of appropriate site to meet Central Library requirements
Feel as if you have something to contribute to decision-making at the RPL Board? Enter to gain a chance to be on the RPL Board.
https://www.regina.ca/city-government/city-council/boards-committees-commissions/
Deadline 5 pm Friday Oct 7
Show City Council, who appoints the Library Board, that there are enthusiastic committed people that are independent thinkers and want to contribute to proactive positive decision-making, and be publicly accountable for information sharing and decision making.
Its time for a new Board!
“Learn more and apply online”
http://reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/Vacant
| Regina Public Library BoardThe Board is responsible for the operations of public libraries and sets policy for the management of the Regina Public Library, as set out under The Public Libraries Act, 1996. Term of Reference: The Board is responsible for the general management, regulation and control of the Public Library. The Board may establish committees which are tied to the Board’s core responsibilities and which support the work of the Board. Responsible for the operation of the public libraries within the City of Regina. Committees will assist the Board by preparing policy alternatives, identifying implications for Board deliberation, and monitoring performance within its defined areas of responsibility. Composition: The Board consists of: six or eight members, as determined by City Council, appointed by Council from among the resident electros of the City of Regina.Term Limit: 2 year Terms, unlimited number of Terms. Vacant Positions: Citizen Member 4No additional qualifications are required for this Position Available from 01/01/2024 |
Qualifications for Positions on the Board:
* How can you contribute to the above committee?
* List your skills, experience & other qualifications relating to the Board or Committee
* Names of other boards/committees (not appointed by the City) which you sit on.
Friends of the Regina Public Library 