Article content continued

Saskatoon city council voted unanimously to cut $75,000 from the proposed 2017 budget for the Remai Modern art gallery, which remains without an official opening date.

Several councillors wondered about the proposed budget, given that nobody knows when the controversial gallery will open.

Remai Modern CEO and executive director Gregory Burke fielded questions about why the gallery needs a staff increase to a total of 47 full-time employees.

Coun. Darren Hill recommended reducing the proposed budget of $5.19 million from the City of Saskatoon — up from $5 million in 2016 — by $75,000. The cut decreased the proposed property tax increase to 3.81 per cent from 3.85 per cent.

“The Remai’s not open, the (former) Mendel (Art Gallery is) not open,” Coun. Randy Donauer said. “The public wants to know what these people will be doing.”

Hill suggested the cut after asking Burke several questions about the staff proposed to be added in 2017. He said later that he wanted to leave it up to gallery staff and the board on where to reduce spending.

Hill finally got Burke to estimate the gallery will open “mid-year.” The industry standard suggests the opening date is announced six months before, Burke said.

Catherine Gryba, the city’s general manager of corporate performance, said although the gallery is expected to be completed in early 2017, it will take a while to ensure the indoor environment is suitable.

Coun. Cynthia Block asked whether the cost of operating the Remai Modern could decrease if the gallery opens later in the year. Burke said a later opening would mean less money flowing in.