Meewasin Valley Authority and Tourism Saskatoon are looking into building an $8 million riverfront attraction to be dubbed the River Landing Centre.

Its anchors would include a Joni Mitchell Discovery Centre, an interpretive centre for the settlement of Saskatoon and the South Saskatchewan River and a tourism welcome office, according to a request for proposals launched last month by Meewasin.

The centre would also have public washrooms and incorporate ideas for the grounds nearby that the city's concept plan for riverfront redevelopment has already adopted, such as a children's waterplay area, two amphitheatres, food service and shops.

"It's critical (space)," said Meewasin CEO Susan Lunb. “You need to have some place for people to go that's open long hours, that’s open to the public, that's welcoming, that you don't have to pay (for)."

The proposed centre, which the Meewasin and Tourism Saskatoon boards haven't given final approval, would also have offices for both organizations and a Meewasin gift shop.

"I'm certainly open to (the concept)," said Mayor Don Atchison. "It needs to be looked at. I´m flexible."

The Dec. 22 proposal call for a "consulting team" is posted on Meewasin's website. www.mewasin.com. Submissions close Thursday. The team will be responsible for business planning, feasibility, tourism business and an analysis of operations.

The centre would be built adjacent to Persephone Theatre's proposed new riverbank home east of the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge. The estimated construction budget for the centre and outdoor amenities is $8 million, not including the theatre. No decision has been made on how to pay for the centre.

If the boards of Tourism Saskatoon and Meewasin support the centre after reading the consulting team's report, it will proceed with Phase 2 – conceptual design. Atchison got his first look at the plan Tuesday.

Both he and Coun. Elaine Hnatyshyn, members of the Meewasin board say they don' t recall discussing this call for proposals at any meeting. The public should know that it's the city, not Meewasin, that makes decisions on River Landing proposals, Akhiwn sairl Hnatyshyn, whose ward includes River Landing, said she's only heard "a rumour" about plans for the centre.

But Lamb said the board had given “explicit direction” to Meewasin administration to follow. She produced a copy of a March vote in which the board supported preparing a feasibility study and concept plan for a new interpretive centre and office space on the old Gathercole site.

The River Landing Centre plan is bigger because it includes Tourism Saskatoon's plans for its own office and a community proposal for the Joni Mitchell attraction, she said.

“The city is looking for expressions of interest in this cultural complex, so we needed to give them something," Lamb said.

The Meewasin board told its administration to keep plans low-key to avoid public confusion, she said. Hnatyshyn questions whether it's workable to have two major Joni Mitchell attractions in Saskatoon. The Mendel Art Gallery is naming a new cafe in its soon-to-be-expanded Gallery after Mitchell and will feature her art.

Meewasin and Tourism Saskatoon will choose a consultant as early as next week. The consutant must file the report by March 24.

Chris Dekker, the city´s project imanager for River Landing said Meewasin and Tourism Saskatoon will eventually have to submit the plan to a city technical commitee for consideration. The commitee would decide whether to recommend it for appoval to city council, he said.

The city is negotiating with Persephone Theatre to build its new riverbank home. A landmark with a viewing platform is also part of the overall plan for River Landing´s cultural area, but it's not included in the Meewasin/ Tourism Saskatoon project.