Toronto-based Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (KPMB), alongside Winnipeg-based Smith-Carter Architects, have been named the design team for the $58-million Art Gallery of Saskatchewan.
April 3, 2009: Announcement that construction will being on the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan at River Landing. Construction is set to begin this year, contingent on federal support under the Building Canada fund.
November 2008: The project is upgraded from an $18-million project to a $21.5-million project and awaits word on its $7.6-million request from the federal Canada Builds program.
April 2006: Saskatchewan's Culture, Youth and Recreation Department refuses gallery director Terry Graff's request for the province to match Saskatoon's $4.5-million investment.
March 24, 2006: Carol Skelton, Conservative MP and Western Economic Diversification minister, rejects the Mendel's application for $7.5 million from the $10.5 million allotted to Saskatoon from the Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan program.
The federal government's Cultural Spaces program gives $450,000 toward architectural and construction drawings. Another $1.5 million is pledged by various individuals, foundations and corporations.
Oct. 22, 2005: The Mendel Art Gallery board rejects the idea of moving the gallery to River Landing. "The Mendel enjoys a stand-alone identity and is a recognizable landmark situated on an exceptional waterfront site in Saskatoon," said gallery spokesperson Laura Beard.
Oct. 12, 2005: Eva Mendel Miller, daughter of the gallery's namesake, Fred Mendel, says the move would be a breach of trust to her father. If the gallery was moved, Mendel Miller said she would retract a substantial gift she was planning to bequeath.
September 2005: City council awards the contract to develop the Mendel's design plans and documents and approves spending of nearly $1 million on the project. Due to the support, the gallery begins restoration of original skylights.
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