Saskatoon’s construction industry is frustrated after a contract regarding the design of the city’s new library was awarded to three out-of-province architecture firms.

On Nov. 17, Formline Architecture, Chevalier Morales Architectes and Architecture49 were awarded the $4.8 million prime design contract for the new central library, set to be constructed on 2nd Avenue North between 24th and 25th streets.

The Saskatoon Construction Association penned a letter to Saskatoon Public Library’s (SPL) board of trustees saying it hoped more weight would be given to local companies during the procurement process.

“Local content has to be something in the mix when they’re considering these things, and right now it isn’t. That is what our biggest concern is,” executive director Shannon Friesen told Global News.

The letter noted the process should’ve looked at getting the most out of tax dollars by awarding the prime design contract to a local firm.

SPL’s board said the province’s New West Trade Partnership Agreement, which governs SPL procurement, prevents the board from giving preference to local companies.

“SPL entered into a rigorous and fair request for proposals process, which invited all interested parties to submit proposals for integrating Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing into a state-of-the-art library,” said a statement from chairperson Brett Bradshaw.

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