Chevalier Morales

Saskatoon Public Library Project

2024.07.08

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We are excited to share the latest progress on the new Central Library of Saskatoon, a project that Chevalier Morales has been collaborating on for some time with Formline Architecture (prime consultant) and Architecture49. The team is currently finalizing preparations for the construction phase, with initial construction set to begin in late July 2024.

Aiming for LEED Gold certification, the new Central Library will address the existing deficit within the library network and will be the first major public project in Canada designed in partnership with the community, with a strong focus on Indigenous reconciliation. Its vision, programming, architecture, and setting are intended to establish the library as a crucial pillar of reconciliation between First Nation and Western cultures. The library will foster connections among diverse spiritual and cultural perspectives, offering practical and interactive spaces equipped with technological tools (including books and audiovisual materials), a 200-seat auditorium, a community kitchen, and services tailored to the social integration needs of the Indigenous community and the inclusivity of it’s broader community.

Spanning 13,000 square meters, the library will significantly contribute to the urban revitalization of downtown Saskatoon, creating links to existing green spaces and connecting the Remai Modern Art Museum to nearby shops and pedestrian and cycling pathways along 2nd Avenue. Inspired by Saskatchewan's landscapes and architectural traditions, the library evokes the wood-frame construction typical of Métis culture.

The Saskatoon Public Library will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the new site on Tuesday, June 25, followed by a community celebration at the Frances Morrison Central Library. The new Central Library is set to open at 321 2nd Avenue North in the summer of 2027. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!

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