Supporters say it will be a place to integrate people, artwork, and creativity. Naysayers claim it will leave the taxpayer on the hook with a big bill. Either way, plans to move Saskatoon's Mendel Art Gallery to the Destination Centre at River Landing are underway. City Council approved the framework last night for the project. All but one councillor voted in favour of the move. Pat Lorje's lone dissenting voice argued to keep the Mendel where it is, at least until more consultation can be done. She feels council needs to take a step back, and do a market analysis that will determine whether the project is still viable. Otherwise, she says, the taxpayer could be left on the hook for millions.

"In our haste to build out the Destination Centre, we have forgot to do our proper due diligence with respect to the actual market analysis of what this project can and should ought to be."

While Councillor Charlie Clark supports the move, he says he would have preferred there to be more public dialogue at the outset. But the Senior levels of Government had the money on the table, and the city was forced to act.

"I didn't see us getting anywhere by staying where we were, and I think this was a move that had to be made. And this was a case where we had an opportunity, and we had to jump at it."

The Federal and Provincial Governments have already committed roughly $50 million toward the $58 million price tag. That leaves the city holding the bag for another $8 million. Council is optimistic those funds can be raised with private sector support. But Lorje feels the process to move the Mendel has been rushed, and council will ultimately regret it.

"I am very concerned that the taxpayers of Saskatoon will be left with incredible costs that no one had anticipated." 

But Mayor Don Atchison feels the Destination Centre is already paying off.

"The citizens of Saskatoon are seeing the success already that has united the old founding communities of Riversdale and downtown Saskatoon together."

There was also some lively discussion about keeping the Mendel name. City administration could not say for sure, but did not believe the Provincial funding was contingent on the name change. The gallery will also include an expanded Persephone theatre, an atrium, and an under ground parking lot.