Survey shows support for relocating Yellowknife’s mall-based library

A study on the use of six municipal facilities in Yellowknife has found strong public interest in moving the city’s public library out of a downtown mall.

That was a key takeaway in a report released last month summarizing findings from public engagement conducted as part of a city facilities strategic use study.

The library is based at one end of Centre Square Mall.

“While the library’s staff, programs and services are highly valued, participants identified the current location as a barrier to use due to safety, parking and accessibility constraints,” the report states.

Residents, city staff and community groups shared their thoughts on Yellowknife’s public library, Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, City Hall, visitor centre, Mine Rescue Building and Wildcat Café through an open house, a booth at the spring trade show, meetings, and a survey completed by 551 people.

According to the report, 82 percent of survey respondents said the library should be considered for relocation, an opinion also shared during in-person engagement.

“As a lifelong Yellowknifer, my main concern is the public library’s current location. I believe being located in Centre Square Mall makes it unappealing and therefore less accessible to the public,” one survey respondent wrote.

“As a person with young children I cannot stress enough how much we value the library and the programming that they offer, but also how challenging it is to go to the library in that space,” another person said.

 “A library is an essential piece of a thriving community and we have the components of that but it is mismanaged,” a third wrote, “and I would honestly call it an urgent issue that should be addressed with a temporary situation until a beautiful, worthy space can be offered to the community.”

Two survey respondents said they felt the library should remain downtown, whether at its existing location or another site.

“The current perceived social issues should not force the city into making the mistake of removing a key service for residents from downtown,” one person wrote.

Most respondents want to repurpose old pool

A possible site for the library identified by residents was Ruth Inch Memorial Pool – now replaced by the new aquatic centre – due to its central location, lake view, parking availability, and proximity to recreational facilities and trails.

“I think the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool would be an excellent location for a library,” one person wrote. “It is well located for community access and would give greater visibility to the library and its importance in our community.”

The most popular survey responses for future uses of the Ruth Inch pool building were as a library, an arts and cultural space, and a community or recreation space.

Many people said they would support the building being used for multiple purposes.

Beyond the city’s study, at least two groups have come forward with proposals to turn the Ruth Inch building into an indoor skate park or performing arts centre and library.

Several survey respondents expressed frustration that the building has remained vacant since the new aquatic centre opened last year, highlighting ongoing maintenance costs.

Two people said they felt the city should either demolish or sell Ruth Inch Memorial Pool.

Other recurring feedback from residents included demand for visual and performing arts and rehearsal space, preference for multi-use facilities, and a desire for low-cost public access and affordability to be prioritized.

Other facility feedback

Several residents said they value the art gallery, arts programming and events space provided at the visitor centre.

“It is a huge asset to have a non-commercial gallery in the city (it is actually currently the only one in the whole NWT),” one person wrote.

“Plus it is one of the only actioned items in the City’s Arts and Culture master plan – it would embarrassing to move backwards. So please consider the gallery space in your future planning! The city could do more to promote it, it’s an incredible space that is elevating the profile of NWT Arts.”

Like the library, many people said they want to see the visitor centre moved out of Centre Square Mall. Some survey respondents suggested it be relocated to Ruth Inch Memorial Pool alongside the library.

Regarding the Wildcat Café, which currently only operates during the summer months, some residents said they would like to see the building winterized and open year-round.

“I’ve never understood why the Wildcat is closed in the winter during high tourist season,” one person wrote.

“Even if there was no food (or just tea/hot chocolate & baked goods) it’s a perfect setting for a ‘Christmas store’ market to sell locally made crafts and take selfies with Santa. Tourists are already at Pilots’ Monument, so operate it as a ‘warm up shack’ seasonally in winter.”

Some people questioned whether the city should continue to own the heritage building.

The study found public awareness of the Mine Rescue Building, which is currently used by Home Base Yellowknife for its youth resource centre, is low.

Asked what activities they felt would be a good fit at the building when not in use by the youth centre, most survey respondents said they were unsure or had no opinion, or that it should be used for youth-focused programs.

The city said feedback collected, along with operational and technical considerations, will inform draft proposals for the facilities.

Residents will be able to share their thoughts on those plans this fall before a report is presented to council.