New Central Library | Construction

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Bad Grizzly

The fanfare will be done in a month give it take. A couple of hundred thousand people will go down and check it out once look around say ‘wow isn’t this great’ and never come back. The homeless people will be coming in saying ‘wow this is great’ the difference though they’ll be back.

Sometimes I think Bad Grizzly is Willy Wilson in disguise.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Bad Grizzly

The fanfare will be done in a month give it take. A couple of hundred thousand people will go down and check it out once look around say ‘wow isn’t this great’ and never come back. The homeless people will be coming in saying ‘wow this is great’ the difference though they’ll be back.

I went by there on Sunday and there were massive lineups outside. Then I found out that transit was free on the weekend which probably explains a lot of the crowds.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

I went by there on Sunday and there were massive lineups outside. Then I found out that transit was free on the weekend which probably explains a lot of the crowds.

Wrong. Transit was only free Saturday, not Sunday when you went.

https://calgarylibrary.ca/new-central-library/opening-day-activities/

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ca...with-historic-celebration-699296151.html

That being said, obviously the crowds of the first number of days includes a high proportion there to check out the architecture. But truth be told, I was impressed enough to ensure I take any out of town guests, and I'll be looking up events there also. I hear they have already had a pecha kucha night and a TEDx salon event there.

[jc_yyc_ca]

The crowds will be there for a while yet. It takes a while for everyone to get down and see it, but Bad Grizzly's right. Fort most people it's going to be one and done. In a couple of months it will be quiet.There will be a lunch hour rush due to it's proximity to the CBD, but outside of that it'll be mostly empty except for the homeless. It's really something that wasn't needed.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by jc_yyc_ca

In a couple of months it will be quiet.There will be a lunch hour rush due to it's proximity to the CBD, but outside of that it'll be mostly empty except for the homeless. It's really something that wasn't needed.

I know you wanted those funds to pad the pockets of the Flames Billionaires, but alas, this amazing building was constructed for the masses.

Cumulatively, the libraries get used a ton, and by a huge cross-section of people. As but one regular example, the university's brain institute regularly has had large public events at the old central library, and now those will just get bigger. The next one is in ten days, and you can bet that it will be over 300 people.

https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/event/2018-11-16/think-big-life-your-brain

Remember that the central branch now has over 30 bookable rooms outside of the performance space, and this increase in rooms was in response to demand outstripping supply with the old location. These rooms are mid-sized, so as an example, there was I believe a TEDxCalgary "salon" (what ever that means) yesterday, that was apparently attended by over 40.

Yesterday was also Pecha Kucha in the evening in the performance space, and they sold out with 400 people. Pecha Kucha is very popular, and I'm not surprised.

The above items are just examples. There are really an exceptional diversity of programs always taking place in the libraries, and the new location will ease some of the demand while inspire others to do more civic minded things in the brilliant spaces.

[The Chemist]

I'm sure glad people like jc and Bad Grizzly aren't running the city - the city would be a much more boring and visually less interesting place if penny pinching was the driving motivation of city council they way they obviously want it to be. It's hilarious to hear the same arguments repeated over the new central library that were made over the Peace Bridge, given how popular and how much of a new emblem of our city that bridge has become.

[Ania]

I am one of the those middle class globalists. If you don't build it, I don't come (for better or worse). good transit to an airport with service to the world, and swanky libraries are some of my criteria. 'Grats on the library is what I say

[Fishthebow]

Originally Posted by The Chemist

I'm sure glad people like jc and Bad Grizzly aren't running the city - the city would be a much more boring and visually less interesting place if penny pinching was the driving motivation of city council they way they obviously want it to be. It's hilarious to hear the same arguments repeated over the new central library that were made over the Peace Bridge, given how popular and how much of a new emblem of our city that bridge has become.

It's probably hilarious to you because you don't live here and pay taxes. I think Shanghai should host the Olympics, maybe you'll find that hilarious.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Fishthebow

It's probably hilarious to you because you don't live here and pay taxes. I think Shanghai should host the Olympics, maybe you'll find that hilarious.

I think he is way better than Murray Edwards though. That fat cat doesn't pay any taxes and wants a billion dollars from us!

But getting back to the library, yeah, it is amazing.

Oh - and Shanghai was one of the sites for Beijing 2008, and will likely bid for 2032. A truly world class city, which hosts the ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters and also F1.

[suburbia]

Great set of photos in this Dezeen article. Dezeen is among the world's most popular and influential architecture and design magazines.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/05/snohet...calgary-wood-atrium-crystaline-exterior/

[Fishthebow]

I've seen your stupid arguments in the Olympics thread. Shanghai and China make a great match for the Olympics. We aren't that stupid, and after November 13th will follow the footsteps of the more enlightened cities like Boston and Barcelona.

Originally Posted by suburbia

Oh - and Shanghai was one of the sites for Beijing 2008, and will likely bid for 2032. A truly world class city, which hosts the ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters and also F1.

[Fishthebow]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Great set of photos in this Dezeen article. Dezeen is among the world's most popular and influential architecture and design magazines.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/05/snohet...calgary-wood-atrium-crystaline-exterior/

It's a nice building, but you're missing the point. The Romanov's castle was beautiful too.

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by Fishthebow

It's probably hilarious to you because you don't live here and pay taxes. I think Shanghai should host the Olympics, maybe you'll find that hilarious.

I'm from Calgary and I work for a Calgary company. I grew up there and I still visit about once a year My parents still live in the city, as do many of my friends, so I still care a lot about how what I still consider to be my city grows. So I'll say it again - I'm sure glad people who think like you aren't in charge of the city. It'd be a lesser place if they were.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Wrong. Transit was only free Saturday, not Sunday when you went.

https://calgarylibrary.ca/new-central-library/opening-day-activities/

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ca...with-historic-celebration-699296151.html

That being said, obviously the crowds of the first number of days includes a high proportion there to check out the architecture. But truth be told, I was impressed enough to ensure I take any out of town guests, and I'll be looking up events there also. I hear they have already had a pecha kucha night and a TEDx salon event there.

Free parking Sunday, roads closed to traffic, etc. Lots of help to draw people in. Yes, the architecture inside looks nice but how many people are going to take the train from the suburbs to look at the architecture when they can get many of the same amenities at their regional library branch? Probably not too many unless they need something very specialized that only the main branch will carry. For most people improved digital offerings would be best. People want access to information without having to leave home. When was the last time you were at a public library trying to do some research? They're horrible environments to work in unless you love to have out of control kids screaming their heads off running around as if they're at a park. We have tons of parks--99.7% of them are unused because parents would rather let librarians babysit their kids then doing it themselves.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by The Chemist

I'm from Calgary and I work for a Calgary company. I grew up there and I still visit about once a year My parents still live in the city, as do many of my friends, so I still care a lot about how what I still consider to be my city grows. So I'll say it again - I'm sure glad people who think like you aren't in charge of the city. It'd be a lesser place if they were.

Most definitely

[topdog]

Sucks to be you then, because the Olympics aren't happening in Calgary, while a new arena will get built with public money.

Originally Posted by suburbia

I think he is way better than Murray Edwards though. That fat cat doesn't pay any taxes and wants a billion dollars from us!

But getting back to the library, yeah, it is amazing.

Oh - and Shanghai was one of the sites for Beijing 2008, and will likely bid for 2032. A truly world class city, which hosts the ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters and also F1.

[Bad Grizzly]

Originally Posted by topdog

Sucks to be you then, because the Olympics aren't happening in Calgary, while a new arena will get built with public money.

With the help of public money, not all public money. Other than that minor detail you are correct. Olympic won’t be happening, and the arena will get built with some public funding regardless of how rich Edwards is.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Bad Grizzly

With the help of public money, not all public money. Other than that minor detail you are correct. Olympic won’t be happening, and the arena will get built with some public funding regardless of how rich Edwards is.

And this is the ONLY chance to use federal and provincial extra special money not from our regular grants to do it.

[jawagord]

Originally Posted by suburbia

I know you wanted those funds to pad the pockets of the Flames Billionaires, but alas, this amazing building was constructed for the masses.

Cumulatively, the libraries get used a ton, and by a huge cross-section of people. As but one regular example, the university's brain institute regularly has had large public events at the old central library, and now those will just get bigger. The next one is in ten days, and you can bet that it will be over 300 people.

https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/event/2018-11-16/think-big-life-your-brain

Remember that the central branch now has over 30 bookable rooms outside of the performance space, and this increase in rooms was in response to demand outstripping supply with the old location. These rooms are mid-sized, so as an example, there was I believe a TEDxCalgary "salon" (what ever that means) yesterday, that was apparently attended by over 40.

Yesterday was also Pecha Kucha in the evening in the performance space, and they sold out with 400 people. Pecha Kucha is very popular, and I'm not surprised.

The above items are just examples. There are really an exceptional diversity of programs always taking place in the libraries, and the new location will ease some of the demand while inspire others to do more civic minded things in the brilliant spaces.

As one of the designers said it's really a community center on steroids, more than a library. As Nenshi overspends go its much better than the airport tunnel.

[Bad Grizzly]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

And this is the ONLY chance to use federal and provincial extra special money not from our regular grants to do it.

I don’t recall seeing new arena as part of the Olympic budgeting.