New Saskatoon library receives $1.5M donation for auditorium

The Saskatoon Public Library will be getting some additional help thanks to a $1.5-million donation.

The donation, made by Cheryl Kloppenburg and her late husband, Henry, will support the library’s auditorium.

Speaking at the announcement, Kloppenburg said literature and libraries have been a huge part of their lives.

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“Henry and I were both real bookworms. We were kids who always had our noses in books. We were constantly scouring bookstores and second-hand bookstores. We loved going into libraries. We loved the services that were available in libraries,” she said.

“When we were first married, some 50-odd years ago, money was not plentiful. He was just starting his career. I was still in law school, and so we didn’t have a lot of money to throw around. So we would go to the library and borrow not only books but also LPs. That’s how we got a lot of our musical entertainment at home in those days. So it was lovely,” said Kloppenburg.

The 176-seat space, being constructed on the fourth floor of the new central library, aims to bring the community together through author readings, musical performances, panel discussions and citizenship ceremonies.

As for construction of the library itself, Saskatoon Public Library CEO Carol Shepstone said construction has been progressing at a good pace.

“The construction has been going extremely well. We’re really, really pleased that we’re on time, we’re on budget, all of those good things that you want in a construction project,” she said.

“So we’ve moved fully inside now. So the exterior is all enclosed, which is great. That makes it a little bit easier going into fall and winter to be able to continue the finishing work. So we’re building walls and putting in millwork and soon to be laying carpet and flooring. So it’s really moving quite quickly now.”

As for when the facility will open, Shepstone said it will likely be up and running next year.

“We don’t have an exact date. Probably fall is what we’re looking at,” she said.

She said the community’s reaction to the project has been positive now that it’s finally taking shape.

“There’s a lot of excitement. I think there’s always a kind of growing momentum and kind of a shift in understanding, if you will, when you can actually see the building come up out of the ground and see what it might mean for the community in a really tangible way,” said Shepstone.

“Not everybody loves a drawing or a floor plan, so it’s been really wonderful, and people are excited. We’ve heard lots of just really positive comments.”