Saskatoon's Remai Modern art gallery construction to be completed in 2016

Construction of the Remai Modern in Saskatoon is making some progress.

Construction of the building is estimated to be completed by the fall of 2016, according to a report provided to the city's standing policy committee on environment, utilities and corporate services,

The riverbank project is currently sitting at a cost of about $2.5 to $4.5 million over the approved budget of $84.6 million. There is approximately $10 million remaining in construction costs.

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The report states that opportunities for funding the shortfall are currently being explored to complete the project. This includes reducing the amounts spent on furniture, fixtures and equipment needed to open the gallery.

Options for private funding are also being discussed with the gallery.

There has already been a $1.37-million increase for accommodating opening the buildingwhich isfive times larger than the Mendel Art Gallery. Of this amount, $800,000 will be used to offset the projectshortfall.

The gallery is scheduled to open to the public in early 2017. It was originally set to open in 2016.