A particular issue at the facility is its age. It is around 60 years old and for that reason alone a number of accessibility deficiencies were identified. Priorities identified include the need to upgrade the guardrails and handrails at the building; safety and signage upgrades addressing such items as fire alarms and fire exits; and elevator access to the second floor lounge which currently can only be accessed through the stairs. The latter item is considered a long-term item and would be a major capital investment. “It would greatly increase the usability of the facility,” said Pillipow. The audit was done to identify needs and a cost estimate for the items was not provided. City Manager Randy Patrick noted they would come back with pricing on the priority items, and put them into the capital plan over the next number of years.
The facility has been closed to the public since March 2020 during the pandemic, with the space recently being used to host City Council meetings. The intention is to re-open the gallery to exhibitions again later this year. Money has been set aside in the budget for a re-opening in July, but there is still uncertainty about whether they can reopen then or have to wait a couple of months. Public health measures might still be in place that would prevent a move back to council chambers, where there is not enough space for social distancing. If council meetings have to stay put at Chapel Gallery for a little longer, it will constrain the space within the gallery for potential exhibitions.
The project is being funded in one-third amounts by the federal, provincial and municipal governments. But last month council learned that the city would likely be on the hook for an additional $1.5 million in overages, about half of which was attributed to PST on construction. The city has been looking to lobby the province to get the PST removed from the project. Those efforts seemed to be dealt a setback Monday when Premier Scott Moe said at a media scrum that the province would not be introducing changes to construction PST. “No, not at this time,” Moe said during that virtual scrum at the Municipalities of Saskatchewan convention.
“It has been a privilege to work for the city over the last 18 years,” said Wohlberg in her goodbye remarks at the meeting. “I can truly say I have enjoyed coming to work every day. I’m going to miss the staff at City Hall well, actually, the whole entire city, because we have some terrific and dedicated people who work for the city here and I’m glad to have been a part of it. I wish the new council the best of luck over the next four years, you have a good team to guide you with your strategic plans and your vision to ensure the city moves forward in the right direction.