Funding fumbles make new library an election issue

To understand why we're still talking about the proposed new downtown library in Saskatoon, one need only look at how the borrowing for the project got approved.

The original cost of the proposed replacement for the 54-year-old Frances Morrison Central Library was estimated at $152.9 million with borrowing of $87.5 million.

During budget talks last November, several councillors and Mayor Charlie Clark expressed misgivings about the price tag — specifically, the amount of borrowing council was being asked to approve. While the project would be managed by the appointed library board, the debt would be added to Saskatoon city hall's debt. At the time, city debt was reported at $354 million at the end of 2018.

Given concern about the original cost — no doubt loudly reinforced by taxpayers — council did what any responsible elected body would do: it adopted a spin-the-wheel approach to determine the appropriate borrowing. Four different councillors proposed four different alternative borrowing amounts, meaning five different numbers were up for a vote.

Instead of asking the library board to come back with an alternative plan, council embraced a game-show strategy.

Only Hilary Gough, who serves on the library board, and Sarina Gersher voted in favour of the original price tag and $87.5 million in debt.

Gersher and Gough were then joined by Cynthia Block and Mairin Loewen voting in favour of Loewen's proposed $76.3-million alternative, but that failed, too.

Up next was the $67.5 million pitched by Darren Hill, which got narrow 6-5 approval with opposing votes from Troy Davies, Randy Donauer, Bev Dubois, Ann Iwanchuk and Zach Jeffries. That put the total cost at $132.9 million. Jeffries' proposed debt of $63.5 million and Davies' $35 million never got votes because the higher amount was approved.

If that sounds like a loopy way to decide on debt for a project of this magnitude, or taxpayers' dollars in general, that's probably one reason the project is still being debated on the civic campaign tail.

In 2016, library director Carol Cooley said the new downtown library was estimated to cost between $80 million and $120 million. Shock at the updated price tag is understandable.

This project would be one of the costliest of its kind in Saskatoon history, close to the $154-million cost of the civic operations centre ( bus barns) that opened in 2016 and more than the $122-million new police headquarters that opened in 2014.

It's also presumed to be more than the $100-million-plus cost of the Remai Modern art gallery and parkade, but this council has expressed little to no curiosity about the final cost of a facility that opened three years ago.

You would think the Remai, which was delayed and over budget, would have chastened this council when it comes to megaprojects.

However, the tortured Remai Modern journey has likely made selling any new megaproject difficult. Oddly, there's been comparatively little grousing about the $211-million Chief Mistawasis Bridge that's hosting thousands fewer motorists than expected.

On the bright side, the art gallery experience has compelled city hall to seek guarantees on costs and deadlines for projects.

But the library is not a city hall project. It will be managed by the library board, a body appointed by council that also includes a councillor and the mayor. The board would be well advised to seek city hall guidance, but this is the first project of its kind since France Morrison in the 1960s.

So who are the custodians of so many taxpayer dollars?

Brett Bradshaw, a communications professional, took over from Lisa Erickson as chair this year. The board also includes CTV producer John Thronberg, lawyer Markel Chernenkoff, architect Jim Siemens, child youth advocate Cheryl Starr, corporate performance manager Elise Truscott and engineer Liz Kuley.

Whether these are the right people to shepherd such a large and controversial project can be debated, but perhaps the library could list biographies of each in addition to names and photos on its website. You know, transparency.

Public confidence in those managing this project should be considered vital given the large amount of public money involved.