Remai Modern Undertakes Major Boiler Replacement to Protect Art Collection
Saskatoon's renowned Remai Modern art gallery is currently replacing both of its boiler systems as part of a comprehensive 10-year maintenance strategy designed to maintain the precise environmental conditions necessary for preserving its valuable art collection.
Continuous Operation Creates Unique Challenges
Pam Hamoline, the city's director of facilities management, explained that Remai Modern operates under exceptionally tight environmental requirements that demand continuous boiler operation throughout the year. This non-stop usage pattern significantly reduces equipment lifespan to approximately 10 years, compared to standard systems.
"At the Remai, the system is run continuously, not allowing us to take it down for major repairs, and that is the type of facility that we are running," Hamoline stated during discussions about the replacement project.
Critical Need for Climate Control
The gallery's climate control systems are essential for protecting its extensive collection, which has grown to more than 8,000 art pieces since the facility opened in 2017. This includes 406 Picasso linocuts, a specialized form of printing on linoleum sheets that requires particularly stable environmental conditions.
According to Government of Canada guidelines for art preservation, most paintings should be maintained within a temperature range of 16°C to 25°C. Fluctuations beyond these parameters can cause significant damage including cracking, mould growth, blistering, and warping of valuable artworks.
Federal Designation Demands Strict Compliance
Remai Modern holds a federally-designated Category A institution status, which enables the gallery to borrow significant artworks from other collections. This prestigious designation comes with rigorous regulatory requirements for environmental control that must be consistently met.
"If we are unable to control the environment and keep it stable, we lose our right to procure and maintain the artwork," Hamoline emphasized, highlighting the critical importance of the boiler replacement project for maintaining the gallery's borrowing privileges.
Assessment Reveals Urgent Need for Replacement
A recent report presented to the city's environment, utilities and corporate services committee revealed that assessment of the existing boilers showed signs of significant deterioration, including leaking issues. The models have been discontinued by manufacturers, making long-term repairs impractical and necessitating complete replacement.
Substantial Financial Investment Required
The boiler replacement project carries a budget of $1.5 million, representing approximately 24 percent of the funding the facility has contributed to the civic buildings comprehensive maintenance reserve since 2016. This marks the largest single use of Remai Modern's reserve funding to date.
"This is no surprise to administration. This facility is very unique, and it's unique to North America as well," Hamoline noted regarding the substantial investment required for maintaining the specialized gallery environment.
Historical Context of Climate Control Implementation
When the art gallery building at Saskatoon's River Landing was transferred from the building contractor to the city in 2017, officials noted it could take several months to establish the precise climate controls, temperature settings, and humidity levels necessary to properly protect the artwork collection. The current boiler replacement represents a continuation of that ongoing commitment to environmental stability.
The gallery's unique operational requirements, combined with its federal designation and valuable collection, create a situation where continuous system operation without shutdowns for major repairs necessitates proactive equipment replacement on a regular cycle to ensure uninterrupted climate control for art preservation.
