Library board to hold special public meeting on central location

Regina Public Library could turn to council for help as it works to find the next location for its central branch.

The library board is set to hold a special public meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the results of its expression of intent, which was issued in March to invite developers to provide information about potential partnerships in addition to potential location options for the central branch.

In September of 2022, the library board voted to demolish its existing central building, reasoning that it would be more feasible to build a new one considering the $50 million price tag attached to upgrading the current central branch.

Last year, the board voted to move the central branch to a temporary location, which will likely happen this fall.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the status of the current building and other possible location options can’t be determined at this time, but the board could request help from city council on deciding its next steps.

Mayor Sandra Masters has floated the idea of using the site of the Hudson’s Bay store in the Cornwall Centre for the new central branch after the store announced it will close in 2025.

“It’s got a lot of the amenities right there on site, including parking,” the mayor said in May.

Modernizing the central library is one of the goals of the city’s catalyst committee.