Remai offers $2M for gallery addition
By Phil Tank, The StarPhoenix May 15, 2015
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The Remai Modern Art Gallery board wants to add another $2 million worth of work to the project, but it's not supposed to cost taxpayers another penny.
Board chair Alain Gaucher and gallery executive director Gregory Burke wrote a letter to Saskatoon city council's executive committee seeking permission to expand the work at the gallery to include two additional items.
The $2 million needed to pay for the completion of the "shell gallery" and a ground floor security wall and perimeter would come from the gallery's chief donor, Ellen Remai, whose foundation has already provided $30 million in capital and operational funding.
"This is not about asking for more money from taxpayers," Gaucher said in an interview Thursday. "Fiscal prudence is why it wasn't in the original plan, because the city didn't want to spend any more of its money."
The letter to council stresses the need to complete the two elements at the same time as the rest of the gallery.
Gaucher said he is confident the additional work can be completed for $2 million, but added the board is getting an independent assessment of the cost.
He explained the security wall and perimeter are necessary to accommodate changes to the plan for the restaurant in the gallery building. A glass partition wall would separate the restaurant from the gallery and establish a security perimeter screening from the foyer to the restaurant that would include a metal grille or partition for use when the gallery is closed and the restaurant is open.
"Very importantly, it allows the restaurant to operate in the evening when the gallery is closed," Burke said.
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http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entert...710/story.html
It's exciting that fundraising for the gallery remains strong and that the gallery board is adding all the bells and whistles they can to the project from the start, instead of having a long list of deferred items to add over the long term. This particularly piqued my interest:
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He declined to be specific, but said to expect further announcements about additional work at the gallery that will be paid for through donations or sponsorship. A major announcement is expected in the fall, he said.
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I am also excited about what has morphed from a gallery cafe to a full-service restaurant within the building that can operate outside of gallery hours. The view from the restaurant, and the patio in summer, will be unbeatable.
Hats off as well to Ellen Remai for her continued generosity. Incredible.