Tag Archives: public private partnership

RPL first online survey re Central Library complete

The RPL Board has just completed its survey about Central Library services and upgrade of the building.

 We have been told by the library that a total of 815 interviews were conducted. 601 were completed by telephone, 210 online. The telephone respondents were generated by calling active numbers drawn from a list purchased commercially from a company that aggregates numbers from published sources. The online responses were generated by e-mailing addresses Praxis maintains. The e-mail addresses come from individuals interviewed in earlier telephone surveys, or who have been recruited periodically and who indicate they are willing to receive surveys.

A survey for patrons to fill out should be available soon – so keep your eyes open at the Library Branches and at the Library website.

RPL Survey re Central on Now

The Regina Public Library is currently conducting a survey about library services and trying to gauge support for the amenities that they would like to see connected to an upgraded Central Library.

Apparently it is quite a long survey, one person interviewed said there were questions like :

Do you think there should be a movie theatre or restaurant nearby?
Do you think it should be located within a mall? Near a shopping centre?
It would be interesting to know what the questions are.
The library is also conducting some targeted on-line surveys and will do a patrons survey in the future.
One  hopes that the questions keep all of the options open, including the renovation, rather than the deomolition, of the modernist Central Library, which the majority of people contacted in our FRPL survey said they would prefer.

P3 Funding – CCPA Article

The article noted below highlights that the cities aren’t necessarily keen on getting the federal P3 Canada funding because of the implications of the loss of control and higher amounts for interest.  This reluctance was expressed by some City of Regina councilors when the potential PPP funding for Central Library and for the wastewater treatment plan were discussed. The councilors were not necessarily totally enthusiastic about the funding but felt that they would be seen as negligent and irresponsible by Regina taxpayers if the Library Board/City didn’t apply for the funding.

—– —-

In the April CCPA Monitor there is an article by David Macdonald entitled Flaherty’s 2013 Budget actually cuts infrastructure funding. The article notes that the recent federal budget has reduced infrastructure funding from $1.25 billion (annually) to $210 million and that the majority of the funding will not be issued for another seven years.
Apparently many cities don’t like the way the  joint public and private participation requires them to give control to the corporate partners and that long-term projects will incur more interest.

PPP Canada Launches Fifth Call for Applications

It is still very possible that the RPL Board will apply to this fund, soon or in the future.

 ———From the P3 Canada Fund <Info@p3canada.ca>, April 15, 2013——–

 PPP CANADA LAUNCHES ROUND FIVE OF THE P3 CANADA FUND

Round Five to focus on projects that develop the Canadian P3 market

Ottawa, Ontario, April 15, 2013 – Today, PPP Canada launched the Round Five call for proposals for the P3 Canada Fund.

Canada has become a world leader in P3 procurement and the Government of Canada is committed to supporting the further development of the Canadian P3 market by encouraging provinces, territories, First Nations and municipalities to consider the P3 model in delivering their public infrastructure priorities. As part of this commitment, PPP Canada’s focus in Round Five will be on public infrastructure projects that promote jobs and stimulate economic growth.

“Last year, we were very encouraged by the quality and viability of the applications we received,” said John McBride, CEO of PPP Canada. “Under Round Five, we will continue to look for applications that deliver optimal Value for Money by demonstrating substantial involvement by the private sector throughout the project’s life cycle.”

Once again, PPP Canada will give priority to public infrastructure projects in the following priority areas: transportation; water/wastewater; solid waste disposal; and brownfield redevelopment of contaminated sites. In addition, PPP Canada will give priority to projects that create optimal Value for Money, taking into account the qualitative and quantitative factors, and that include long-term financing (i.e. DBFOM).

To date, the Government of Canada has announced P3 Canada Fund commitments toward 15 P3 projects across Canada, totaling over $715 million to projects with more than $3.2 billion in capital costs. Further announcements are expected in the coming months.

PPP Canada works with other levels of government to promote the effective use of P3s through P3 knowledge sharing, capacity building and the strategic use of the P3 Canada Fund. By offering advice and expertise to its clients, PPP Canada ensures proper due diligence is followed across all stages of the project development life cycle. The result is a well-structured procurement that is well planned and follows best practices ensuring transparency, fairness and competiveness.

About PPP Canada and the P3 Canada Fund

 PPP Canada has a mandate to improve and increase the delivery of public infrastructure by achieving better value, timeliness and accountability to taxpayers, through P3s.

PPP Canada acts as a leading source on P3 matters through knowledge development and sharing. In addition, the Corporation provides expertise and advice in assessing and executing P3 opportunities at the federal level as well as leveraging greater Value for Money from federal investments in provincial, territorial, municipal and First Nations infrastructure through the P3 Canada Fund.

The P3 Canada Fund is a merit based program, designed to incent the use of P3 procurement in delivering public infrastructure projects. Eligible projects can receive up to 25% of the direct cost of construction supported through non-repayable contributions, repayable contributions, loans or loan guarantees. The $1.2 billion is committed over a 5 year period starting 2009/10 and is allocated to PPP Canada on an annual basis, subject to approval by Parliament. The Government of Canada recently announced in Budget 2013 its commitment to renew the P3 Canada Fund by an additional $1.25 billion beginning in 2014.

Round Five:  Information for Applicants

To assist Round Five applicants in preparing their submissions to the P3 Canada Fund, PPP Canada has developed an Application Guide which provides detailed information of the Fund’s eligibility criteria and evaluation process and detailed instructions on how to prepare a submission. In addition, PPP Canada has created a P3 Business Case Development Guide which outlines the necessary steps to the development of a comprehensive and robust P3 business case. Project sponsors whose applications are retained for further analysis will be required to follow this Guide in preparing their Business Case for submission. Both Guides are available for download on PPP Canada’s website at www.p3canada.ca.

The application deadline is June 14, 2013 in order to be considered under Round Five. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact PPP Canada or their designated contact, identified in the Application Guide, to discuss the viability of their project before submitting an application.

PPP Canada, Attn: P3 Canada Fund, Round Five, 100 Queen Street, Suite 630, Ottawa, ON, K1P 1J9,  1-877-947-9480, pppadministration@p3canada.ca

For further information on PPP Canada and the Government of Canada P3 Canada Fund investments visit: www.p3canada.ca

 For media inquiries, contact:media@p3canada.ca or 613-947-9480/1-877-947-9480

Central Library Development Plan – now available

The last of the planning documents related to the upgrade of Central Library has been released.

 Central Library Development Plan (2010).   Available at   http://www.reginalibrary.ca/cld/?q=node/24

The intent of this work is “to identify RPL’s requirements for the proposed Central Library, beginning from the foundation of the Library’s strategic directions documents, and ending with physical planning concepts.”

Please take a look at this document. Very interesting material!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION

Background…………………………………………………………………….1-1

Descriptions of the Work Performed…………………………………..1-2

Participants …………………………………………………………………….1-3

SECTION 2 DEVELOPMENT PARAMETERS

Introduction …………………………………………………………………….2-1

Strategic Parameters

Introduction……………………………………………………………….2-3

Mission …………………………………………………………………….2-3

Vision……………………………………………………………………….2-3

Values………………………………………………………………………2-3

Service Plan ……………………………………………………………..2-5

Principles ………………………………………………………………….2-8

Role of the Central Library ………………………………………….2-9

Service Delivery Context

Introduction……………………………………………………………..2-13

Background …………………………………………………………….2-13

Social Trends…………………………………………………………..2-14

Trends In Information Management ……………………………2-15

Trends in Technology……………………………………………….2-17

Civic Context …………………………………………………………..2-19

Geography………………………………………………………………2-22

Climate …………………………………………………………………..2-22

History of the Regina Public Library ……………………………2-22

Comparator and Benchmark Libraries ………………………..2-23

Functional Parameters

Introduction……………………………………………………………..2-25

Overall Functional Guidelines ……………………………………2-25

Public Services ………………………………………………………..2-30

Library Infrastructure Services …………………………………..2-44

Other Services and Functions ……………………………………2-47

Physical Parameters

Introduction……………………………………………………………..2-49

Design Objectives ……………………………………………………2-49

Functional Space Types……………………………………………2-58

Gross Space Requirements ………………………………………2-59

Functional Components ……………………………………………2-60

 SECTION 3 SITE AND EXISTING FACILITIES ANALYSIS

Introduction …………………………………………………………………….3-1

Site Analysis …………………………………………………………………..3-2

Existing Facilities Analysis………………………………………………..3-8

Building System Analysis ……………………………………………3-8

Facility Functional Analysis …………………………………………3-8

Resource Planning Group Inc. 2010 January 15

 SECTION 4 MASTER PROGRAM

Introduction …………………………………………………………………….4-1

General Planning Criteria………………………………………………….4-3

Site Design Criteria ……………………………………………………4-3

Building Planning Criteria ………………………………………….4-11

Component Planning Criteria…………………………………………..4-15

Introduction……………………………………………………………..4-15

A. Community Forum and Conference Facility

A1 Concourse/Wintergarden ………………………………4-17

A2 Film Theatre (Auditorium) and Seminar Facility..4-18

B. Library Services

B1 Orientation and Information Services………………4-19

B2 Browsing Library…………………………………………..4-20

B3 Children’s…………………………………………………….4-21

B4 Young Adult’s ………………………………………………4-22

B5 Literacy and Outreach Services ……………………..4-23

B6 Fiction Collection and Services ………………………4-24

B7 Technology Centre, IT and Virtual Services……..4-25

B8 Non-Fiction Collection and Services ……………….4-26

B9 Prairie History Room …………………………………….4-27

B10 Dunlop Art Gallery ………………………………………..4-28

C. Support Services

C1 Library Director’s Office…………………………………4-29

C2 Administration and Staff Amenities …………………4-30

C3 Collections Development, Acquisitions/

Cataloguing & Processing……………………………4-31

C4 Operations and Maintenance …………………………4-32

D. Ancillary Space

D1 Retail and Community Services ……………………..4-33

D2 Long Term Expansion Space…………………………4-34

E. General Support Space

E1 Parking ……………………………………………………….4-35

 SECTION 5 PHYSICAL PLAN

Introduction …………………………………………………………………….5-1

Process to Develop Planning Options ………………………………..5-2

Objectives/Terms of Reference for Planning……………………….5-3

Unconstrained Library Building Layout on

Unconstrained Site …………………………………………………….5-4

Contextual Layouts ………………………………………………………….5-7

Option 1 – Stand-Alone Library……………………………………5-7

Option 2 – Library Integrated with

Comprehensive Development………………………………….5-9

Resource Planning Group Inc. 2010 January 15

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Regina Public Library – Central Branch Interim

Existing Facility Analysis (P3A Architecture) ………………..A1

Appendix B: Layout Options ……………………………………………..B1

Feb. 19 – Show Your Support for Library Services

The RPL Budget will be discussed at City Council on Tuesday February 19 at 5:30 PM. At that time Council will decide to approve or not approve the Library’s request for a 2.9% mill rate increase. FRPL will be making a presentation about various aspects of the RPL budget. Your attendance will show your support for funding for library services.

RPL P3 Canada application available

In June 2011 the RPL applied to the P3 Canada (Public Private Partnership) fund for the large redevelopment of Central Library Building.  The application form has finally been made publicly available on the RPL website.  http://www.reginalibrary.ca/cld/?q=node/23 and is available on the FRPL website. Regina Public Library – Application Form with Supplementary Notes – Round 3

The RPL has since withdrawn this application from the  P3 Canada fund process, because the Masonic Temple property was not available. But it is still very useful to read it for the plans that were there, since aspects may be used in the next design for Central Library.

Is it possible that they might reapply in the future?

Central Library – the Focus for 2013

At the RPL’s AGM on Tuesday January 8, 2013 the RPL Chair noted that work on Central Library would be the main focus of the upcoming year.

Gerry Kleisinger asked that the Library Board would appreciate receiving a presentation from the Library Director about “What will the 21st century library look like?”

The Library Director anticipates that the two remaining documents about Central Library redevelopment will be put on the RPL website later this week. These would be a document about the state of the Central Library building and the space needs for the library. The RPL is also planning to do a survey on its website. They are planning to do a public consultation once they have developed new plans for Central Library. This may occur in March.

All Candidates Forum – Sept 25

 
On October 24, Reginans go to the polls to elect our new Mayor and City Councillors.Make your voice heard
at the municipal election All-Candidates Forum

Tuesday, September 25, 2012
7:00 – 9:00 pm
FREE AdmissionLocation: Regina Christian School – 2505 23rd Ave (at Albert St., in gymnasium)
Moderator: Mitch Diamantopoulos, Department Chair, University of Regina School of JournalismCome learn where mayoral and city council candidates from all wards stand on important local issues – affordable housing, food security, public transit, and more.7:00 – 8:00 pm: Mayoral candidate forum. Bring written questions for Regina’s potential mayors to answer!

8:00 – 9:00 pm: All-candidates meet and greet. Meet the mayoral candidates and city council candidates from all city wards.

Sponsored by Clean Green Regina, Friends of Regina Public Library, Making Peace Vigil, Queen City Tenants Association, Real Food Regina, Real Renewal, Regina Anti-Poverty Network, Regina and District Labour Council, and Regina Citizens Public Transit Coalition.

Eventbrite: http://electionforum.eventbrite.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/143149345828948/

No Plan, No P3 for Library

NEWS RELEASE: Wednesday June 27, 2012

“No Plan, No P3 for Library”

REGINA — The Friends of the Regina Public Library were astonished Tuesday afternoon to hear that the Regina Public Library now has no plan for the rejuvenation of Central Library.

The Regina Public Library Board disclosed it had spent about $400,000 on feasibility and design studies, which became largely useless when the Masons declined to sell their neighbouring building. The work apparently provided no alternative plans, according to the Library Board Chair.

While the Friends would like to retain the existing Central Library building for heritage and environmental reasons, the need for some major renovations is pressing. There is a need for new elevators, a new heating system, a functioning accessibility ramp and many other upgrades.

“We find it troubling that is no alternate plan. These problems have been documented for many years,” said Jim Holmes, member of the Friends of the RPL.

The Library did commit to release the report detailing the reasons why the Board feels that the Central Library needs to double in size.

The Friends were happy to hear the Library Board has abandoned a public-private partnership (P3) for the Central Library. Chairperson Darlene Hincks Joehnck claimed the Friends would never understand P3’s but evidently she understands them well enough to know it is not a good idea for the Regina Public Library.

Without a plan, the Board does not foresee any public consultations over the summer.

“We are pleased that the Library Board has informed us that it will not be pressing for quick decisions and holding hasty consultations during the summer, a time when it is difficult for the public to participate,” said Joanne Havelock, Chair of the Friends. The Friends are hoping this means there will be no decisions made on Central Library until after the October Civic Elections.

The news was revealed at an RPL Board meeting held on Tuesday, June 26 after repeated requests from the Friends for information about planning for Central Library.