Art gallery asked to consider possible River Landing home
Saskatoon's River Landing cultural centre, approved in principle by city council just last month, could already be getting a makeover.
The Mendel Art Gallery has been approached about abandoning its $18-million expansion and moving to the proposed centre, says a report to city councillors.
"The Mendel board has indicated an interest in this option and we will proceed to do a full evaluation," said the report, written by city manager Phil Richards. It will be received by councillors when they meet as an executive committee on Tuesday.
The $31.3-million River Landing project, which is to house Joni Mitchell, Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA) and Tourism Saskatoon visitor centres as well as Persephone Theatre, was panned by several councillors at their Sept. 19 meeting.
After much debate, the draft footprint, uses and design of the centre that would sit on the site of the former Gathercole building, at the corner of 19th Street and Third Avenue, received council's approval in principle.
Now, councillors are being told the plan may be amended, with the Mendel with an expanded Joni Mitchell centre replacing the MVA visitor centre. The MVA could then move into the vacated Mendel, according to the report.
The alternate proposal could also incorporate an aboriginal theme in what's being billed as a destination complex.
"There was a number of suggestions made at city council and elsewhere that perhaps we should do more in light of the fact that we never received any official applications or responses to our (expressions of interest) that pertain to an aboriginal destination complex or theme, that perhaps we should pursue one instead," Chris Dekker, manager of special projects with the City of Saskatoon, said in an interview.
The possible changes are mentioned in a report that informs council that a Vancouver-based tourism consultant has been hired to examine the feasibility of the River Landing complex. The feasibility study, which will cost between $15,000 and $20,000, has always been planned for this stage of the project, says Dekker.
While some may see this latest news as another setback in the development of the riverbank after decades of talk, Dekker believes city administrators are being prudent in investigating all options before a final decision is made by council.
"We're very much testing the original proposal. We're not just saying, 'Oh, forget that. Let's go with the Mendel idea.'
"But I would think that most people would agree that if there are any other things you want to take a look at, that you should engage those services while (the consultant) is in the fi eld," he said.
No one from the Mendel, the MVA or Wanuskewin Heritage Centre would comment on the report.
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