Page 63 - BEC / JAN / 2021

Stanley Milner Library - Teeple Architects (Photo Credit - Andrew Latreille)

Pilar Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of the EPL, A SAFE, ACCESSIBLE
believes libraries to be the front porches of our CULTURAL SPACE

communities. “We wanted the revitalization to

reflect our community’s needs and ensure they felt
For the EPL, it was important that this renewed
heard and supported. We knew there was a limited
commitment to community focused on support
amount of space for community groups in our city,
for the Indigenous population of Edmonton and
so we increased available meeting spaces from
brought important awareness to cultural diversity.
12,910 sq. ft. to 28,000 sq. ft.”
As such, the renovation plans included a dedicated

space for meeting, sharing and connecting called
In keeping with its role as a hub for community
Thunderbird House (PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN).
support, the Milner Library also offers affordable

leasing opportunities to not-for-profit organizations
Per the EPL’s CEO, “Thunderbird House was an
in need of office space and the Robert Tegler
opportunity to meet a need for safe, accessible
Trust Foundation Outreach Services to connect
cultural space and represents the first public
vulnerable individuals with important social services.
space in the City designed to support Indigenous

JAN 2021 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA 63