Development of a direction for the reuse of the Mendel Building, is part of the work that is currently underway on a new master plan for the rehabilitation of the Kinsmen Park Area.  The Mendel Building will be available to new tenants in 2014.

In January and February, a Call for Ideas was carried out, and eight responses were submitted for consideration. Discussion is currently underway with these groups to determine details which are needed to proceed to the next steps of the process.

Organizations have been asked to step forward as potential future tenants for the Mendel Building. Proposals are being sought which have a focus on public programming and will be complementary to the revitalized Kinsmen Park Master Plan area. This area includes children’s play as a central focus, the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site, the boat tour dock and a potential festival function on the site. Eligible organizations are expected to demonstrate their capacity to independently develop and operate the proposed use within the building.

The Mendel Art Gallery & Civic Conservatory was founded by Frederick (Fred) Salomon Mendel and opened on October 16, 1964. This building represents one of the finest examples of modernist architecture in Saskatchewan. Fred Mendel, through a generous donation which was matched by the provincial government, initiated the building of this public art museum.

In April 2009, the Saskatoon Gallery and Conservatory Corporation Board of Trustees unanimously approved in principal pursuing construction of a new art gallery at River Landing. Saskatoon City Council in November, 2009, approved in principal the development of an art gallery as an anchor attraction at River Landing Destination Centre. The new gallery is due to open in late 2014. Following the move of the civic gallery to its new location, the existing Mendel Art Gallery building will become vacant.