Regina Public Library broadens search for central library sites

A new central library in the planning stages for Regina may be built in a different location than the current branch, the Regina Public Library suggests.

The public library has posted an expression of interest on SaskTenders "inviting property developers to provide information about potential partnerships and locations for the new Central Library building," a Thursday news release said.

A new central library is one of the catalyst committee projects meant to reshape Regina's downtown core, along with a new arena, a non-vehicular trail and an aquatic centre.

Back in September 2022, the RPL board voted to build a new central library "with a preference for the current location."

But in Thursday's news release, Regina Public Library CEO Jeff Barber said while "a new build at the current location is not off the table ... it's in everyone's best interest to research all possibilities."

The library board plans for the central branch to be temporarily relocated this fall. It's not yet clear what will happen to the current building, but Barber has previously suggested it could eventually be demolished.

In an interview on Friday, Barber said RPL owns the lot where the central library is located, but he's not sure what would happen to the land if the library were to build in a new location permanently.

"In terms of this land and this building, those decisions aren't made yet because we really, we don't know if we're going to be here or not," he said.

But the library CEO said the board's latest move is not a change of heart.

"This is actually not a change but a next step," Barber said. "We've done some of the analysis work, but now we need to see what's really out there."

The expression of interest is about "looking at the market and talking to developers to say, 'So what are you working on? What do you have in mind? What do you think could work?'" said Barber.

RPL 'does still need a location downtown'

The EOI states the central library would need a space of 100,000 to 155,000 square feet and that other tenants or occupants would need to "align with RPL's values."

Joanne Havelock, chair of Friends of the Regina Public Library, said she believes the library shouldn't get involved with private partners.

"They say they want the library to be ownership of its own space or owner of its own space, which is good, but it would still be part of some larger corporate consortium," said Havelock.

Havelock said the library should be renovated or built completely with city money, and not corporate money. 

Barber said there aren't any locations the board is looking at in particular, although it has to be in a certain downtown perimeter.

"The library does still need a location downtown, and not just anywhere downtown. It has to be, you know, a location downtown that works for a central library and the services we provide."

In 2020, Regina Public Library said tearing down and erecting a new central library would cost about $125 million, but Barber said it's possible that could change, as that previous number was an early estimate.

Barber said if new locations are identified, public consultations will be held.