WELCOME TO THE WASCANA CULTURAL TRAILWAY
Explore the cultural sites and scenic vistas of Regina's crown jewel, Wascana Park.
Created in partnership with the Provincial Capital Commission
Land Acknowledgement
Welcome
Greetings from the Provincial Capital Commission
Greetings from Heritage Regina
Tour Sights
Legislative Building
2405 Legislative Drive
In 1906, Regina was chosen as the capital of the new province of Saskatchewan, and the newly formed government wasted no time in selecting a location for a Legislative Building that would reflect the grandeur of the province’s future. After careful consideration of various sites including Victoria Park, a section of land by Wascana Creek was chosen as a picturesque setting, and the 168 acres of land was purchased from the McCallum and Hill Company for $96,250. Farmer and Canadian newcomer Robert Sinton had previously farmed the land, finding it produced impressive wheat crops. Sir Walter Scott, Saskatchewan’s first premier, anticipated that Regina would grow as impressively as Sinton’s crops around the new Legislative Building, which would ultimately be a centralized feature of the city.
The City of Regina had concerns about the location being so far from the city centre, offering the section of Wascana Park between the lake and College Avenue as an alternative location. Their offer revealed the depth of their concerns, as the city had only recently been granted the park by the Dominion Government. Despite the concerns, Scott backed in his decision and engaged seven architectural firms in a competition to design the new province’s Legislative Building.
The Maxwell Brothers, a Montreal firm, were the winning design firm. Their Classical Edwardian design featured raised entrances, Doric columns, and the central dome requested by the government. The cornerstone was laid on October 4, 1909, by Earl Grey, the Governor General. Two years and eight days later, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and the new Governor General, officially opened the completed building.
The exterior of the Legislative Building is Tyndall limestone from Manitoba. Walter Scott made this last-minute change from the original plan which used red brick with sandstone trimmings. In fact, the bricks were already on site when the change was made! The more regal-looking Tyndall stone cost an extra $15,000 and took 300 men over 18 months to prepare. A rail line was put in leading right up to the front of the Legislative Building to haul the materials.
The interior of the building is a marvel of craftsmanship, featuring 34 different types of marble, including green pillars from Cyprus in the rotunda, pink marble from Quebec on the stairs, Italian cream marble on the walls, and marble throughout from Sweden, Ireland, and around the world. The building is built on a transverse, with the grand entrance and rotunda running north-south and a corridor approximately 530 feet long dividing the two, making it the longest legislative building in Canada.
It cost around $1.8 million to build the “Palace of the Prairies,” unsurprising considering the grandeur of the materials and extensive hand-carved elements throughout. Thomas Middleton Pryde, only 17 at the project’s outset, was the master craftsman who produced beautiful crests, emblems, and details out of white oak in the chamber and throughout the building. At the same time, renowned Montreal landscape architect Frederick Todd designed the impressive grounds, including the addition of bridges at Albert and Broad Streets.
Tyndall Stone
A Global Heritage Stone
Tyndall Stone is uniquely Canadian and has been featured largely in Regina buildings throughout the city’s history. It is named after the railway point nearest Garson, Manitoba, where it is found. The Tyndall Stone quarry opened in 1895 and has been owned by the same family since 1910.
Tyndall Stone is a dolomitic limestone created 450 million years ago in a section of rock called the Selkirk Member of the Red River Formation. The stone features a unique, speckled look with branch-like patterns. Mostly made of finely crystalline dolomite, the darker spots contrast with the surrounding limestone, mainly made of calcite. The stone also reveals ancient marine life from the Ordovician Era. There are a wealth of fossilized remnants intact including fragmented nautiloids (squid ancestor), receptaculitids (coral) and crinoid stems (sea lily).
The Legislative Building exterior is predominantly Tyndall Stone, specifically chosen by Premier Walter Scott. Procuring and preparing the stone cost $15,000 and required 300 men working for 18 months. Many buildings in Regina are made of Tyndall Stone, including the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the Credit Foncier Building, and the stone is featured in many downtown buildings, including the Saskatchewan Hotel and the historical Balfour Apartments.
Across Canada, many prominent buildings feature this type of stone, including the interior of the Parliament Building in Ottawa, the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec, the Manitoban Legislative Building, the Banff Springs Hotel, and the Empress Hotel in Victoria.
In 2023, Tyndall Stone was designated as a Global Heritage Stone Resource.
The Big Dig
2003 – 2004
Wascana Lake was originally created to act as a water reservoir. Over the years, it has become a haven for Regina citizens, as the park is utilized for sports, nature activities, and casual enjoyment. The Wascana Lake Urban Revitalization Project, affectionately known as the Big Dig, was an ambitious $18 million endeavour that transformed Wascana Lake in 2003 and 2004.
The lake’s depth was augmented by an average of approximately five metres (16 feet) through meticulous draining and dredging. This monumental undertaking combated aquatic weed growth, enhanced water quality, unlocked more full potential for competitive and recreational rowing, canoeing, and paddling on the lake.
The excavation was designed by Clifton Associates and executed by teams from Dominion Construction (Regina) and Broda Construction (Kamsack). Over 1.3 million cubic metres of soil were removed from the lakebed as they lowered the overall depth to 5.5 metres. A deeper 7.5-metre section was also created for a more suitable fish habitat.
The Big Dig also encompassed a reimagining of the landscape of Wascana Lake and the surrounding area. Pine Island was created and serves as an urban oasis, with a pedestrian access bridge, walking path, and waterfall. This island is a prime vantage point for rowing and paddling races on the lake. In 2014, a Finishing Line Facility was constructed on Pine Island, elevating Wascana Lake to a world-class venue for competitive paddling and rowing competitions.
Crews placed 13 aeration diffusers throughout the lake to improve ecosystem support. A circular fountain now graces the heart of Wascana Lake, its upward reach mirroring the Legislative Building nearby. Pelican Island and Wascana Hill were also part of the improvements of the Big Dig project. A new pathway was laid adjacent to the Albert Memorial and Broad Street bridges, allowing pedestrian traffic to fully circle the lake fully. Paths running east and west were connected, allowing access to recreation areas easier.
Was the Big Dig worth it? With decades passed since the renovation, the project has been hailed as a triumph. Researchers at the University of Regina have noted that the lake’s lifespan has now been extended to over 500 years, and there has been a remarkable reduction in aquatic plant growth—and subsequently, of unpleasant odours for those enjoying Wascana Park. These changes increased Wascana’s capacity to provide irrigation water.
The renovations increased recreational opportunities, and Wascana Lake is now divided into two distinct zones, separated by the Broad Street Bridge. The western portion of the lake features water-based recreational activities, while the eastern portion emphasizes wildlife habitats and natural education experiences.
Albert Memorial Bridge
The history of the Albert Memorial Bridge is closely linked to that of Wascana Lake. In 1883, a dam was built between Albert Street and Angus Street, transforming Wascana Creek into a stock watering hole for the city and its railway. The dam also provided a roadway and reservoir for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police barracks, marking the early beginnings of Wascana Lake.
In 1901, the passage of time took its toll on the dam, and a heavy spring run-off damaged its structure. Repair efforts were swiftly undertaken to ensure the preservation of this vital water source. As the new Legislative Building was set to be erected, the old dam became inefficient and hazardous.
In 1908, Parson Construction Company built a new bridge along Albert Street. This project involved erecting an 80-foot-long reinforced arch span, accompanied by retaining walls for both the northern and southern approaches, as well as a dam engineered to create a reservoir from the creek. A massive retaining wall, 2,300 feet long and eight feet high, was built alongside reinforced water stairs to form a landing for boats. The reservoir bed was levelled and cleaned, with excess soil used to even out the north slope. Excavation for the new Legislative Building also began at this time.
The Great Depression brought economic hardship and high unemployment. In a bid to employ men seeking work, Premier Anderson planned to drain and deepen Wascana Lake and replace the old single-span bridge with a larger one. Over 2,000 men used hand shovels and dump wagons to move 120,000 cubic yards of earth. They meticulously cleaned the lake and crafted islands from the excavated material, fortifying them with field stones. The retaining wall was repaired, and a new spillway enhanced water control. With funding shared between the federal government, province, and the city, the bridge became a symbol of remembrance and progress, standing as a memorial to honour the fallen Canadian soldiers in the Great War.
The bridge was unveiled on November 10, 1930, to a crowd of 10,000. Despite its dedication as a memorial, there was public criticism due to the high cost of the project: $250,000. Some nicknamed the bridge “Bryant’s Folly” for James Bryant, the Minister of Public Works, who justified the cost with the importance of the memorial.
Albert Street Memorial Bridge underwent a meticulous restoration in the late 1980s. The bridge’s present claim to fame is its (unverified) status as the longest bridge over the shortest span of water globally at 256 metres long.
Boathouses
There have been many variations of boathouses, paddle clubhouses, and bathhouses throughout Wascana’s history, starting in 1907 with the establishment of the Regina Boat Club, a united group of local enthusiasts. The club announced a yacht race for Dominion Day one week after its inception. Local nautical enthusiasts built two yachts, and the race caught the attention of the city. The following year, the city funded the construction of a diving platform.It provided the necessary infrastructure to support the clubhouse, which was to be located on the reservoir’s north shore. Sadly, the clubhouse was destroyed in 1912 by a tornado that ravaged the city, though rebuilt the next year. The club persevered through the decades, weathering drought and the World Wars, until 1964, when weeds in the lake prevented its use. A monument to the original club was erected in the park in 1971.
The Regina Boat Club boathouse was rebuilt in 1974 (under their new name, the Regina Rowing Club) for the 1974 Western Canada Summer Games. In 2015 , the Bob Ellard Boathouse was renamed to honour a rower, coach, and former president of the RRC.
The most storied boathouse on Wascana Lake was Owen’s Boathouse, originally known as O’Brien’s Boathouse or the Boat Livery. The Owens family purchased the boathouse in 1928 and owned it for nearly 30 years, renting boats to visitors in the summer months and running a candy concession in the park. Albert Owens also built a passenger motorboat named the Queen Mary (coinciding with the launch of the Queen Mary ocean liner). On Sundays, the Queen Mary would be loaded with 24 or more passengers, taking in the sights and the good weather on Wascana Lake. By 1946, the Owens had for rent 16 red canoes, one sailing canoe, one swimming canoe, 14 flat bottoms (excellent for nervous boaters), two sailboats, 12 row boats, 10 Peterboroughs, two seabirds, and the Queen Mary. Through World War II, the boathouse offered its services to military personnel, docking navy lifeboats and becoming a home away from home for many.
The Owens boathouse stayed in the family after Albert’s 1947 death, passing to Frank and Peggy Owens, until 1951 with Frank and Peggy’s deaths. As their children Evangeline and Lynne were too young to take ownership, the boathouse was rented by a trust company for two years. However, as it was no longer in the family’s hands, the boathouse was removed from Wascana Lake by a previous “gentleman’s agreement”. Although the physical structure no longer graces the shores of Wascana Lake, it is forever etched into its history.
Bandstand (Bandshell)
Located on the north shore of Wascana Lake, the bandstand has been a focal point for musical performances and community gatherings since 1913. It is an open-air Victorian-style gazebo overlooking the lake and the Legislative Building.
The original bandstand, a modest 16 feet in diameter, was relocated from Victoria Park to Wascana Park. Bands such as the Salvation Army and the 28th Battalion performed concerts regularly on Sunday afternoons. By 1923, the bandstand showed signs of aging, and Superintendent of Parks J.M. Craig recommended a replacement rather than investing in costly repairs. The City of Regina embraced this suggestion and allocated approximately $2,000 (nearly $35,000 today) for the construction of the new bandstand.
This proved not enough, as the lowest bid for the construction project was the Fraser Bros. at $2,567. This did not include electrical work and painting, which brought the total closer to $3,000 (nearly $52,000 in 2024). Modifications were made to the plans to reduce costs, including reducing the size of footings, beams, posts, rafters, and trusses.
With the revised specifications, new bids were submitted, and the lowest bid received amounted to $2,345—$2,635 after electrical and painting. Comparing the minimal cost reduction with the value of the original bandstand design, the city council decided to proceed with the original specifications. It was awarded the construction contract to Fraser Bros. for their initial bid of $2,567.
The completed bandstand stood 36 feet in diameter and 12 feet high, featuring a roof and a platform at the top of the stairs for singers and individual instrument players. The Superintendent of Parks carefully selected the site, considering its natural sloping contour and proximity to the lake, ensuring excellent accommodation for spectators. This location was also the only area within the park capable of accommodating the large crowds that attended the concerts.
The bandstand was renovated in 1983, and a wheelchair ramp was constructed in 2017. Over the last century, it has hosted countless concerts, weddings, proposals, and visitors.
Wascana Lake
For centuries, this creek has served as a vital water source for the abundant plant and wildlife in the area, including bison. It was known to Indigenous people as oskana kâ-asastêki, which has been roughly translated as Pile o’Bones. Due to the a accumulation of bison bones, which were left behind after hunts. Once the bison had been prepared, the bones were placed in rings, ultimately measuring around above 40 feet and 6 feet high at its apex (although one claim indicates it was as high as 40 feet back in 1878). While surveying the area in 1857, explorer John Palliser pronounced it with lengthened vowels, giving us Wascana”.
In the late 1800s, newcomers to Canada sold the bones to the railroad for up to seven dollars a tonne. In 1886 alone, $1,500 worth of bones were sold from Regina. The bones were used for fertilizer and to make filters for sugar refineries.
In 1882, the location for the future city of Regina was chosen where the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) route intersected with the creek. In 1883, the CPR built an earth dam across the creek, just west of the current Albert Street Bridge, to make a reservoir to provide water for stock and household needs. The result was a reservoir of about 65 hectares, with an average depth of 1.5 metres. The reservoir became a hub of swimming, sailing and paddling.
On July 7, 1913, the provincial government gained control and maintenance rights over the water level in Wascana Lake under license No. 1 of the Dominion Irrigation Act. This marked a turning point in the lake’s management and development.
From 1929-1930, the newly elected government under Premier J.T.M. Anderson decided to drain and deepen the lake, aiming to construct an impressive bridge and provide employment opportunities during the severe economic downturn caused by the 1929 stock market crash. Over the years, the lake faced various challenges, including silt and mud accumulation and the need for dredging and deepening. In 1959 and 1960, efforts were undertaken to improve the lake’s condition to prevent spring flooding. The University of Saskatchewan’s Regina Campus (now the University of Regina) and the Saskatchewan Centre for the Arts (now the Conexus Arts Centre) were built in the 1960s and influenced the development of the lake as well. The Wascana Lake Urban Revitalization Project took place in 2004, which increased the depth of the lake and created a new island.
In 2017, the Provincial Capital Commission took over control of Wascana Lake and Wascana Park, restructuring a funding coalition of the province, city, and university.
Wascana Park
Wascana Park was part of the original vision for the City of Regina and can be seen in the original town site plans. In 1906, the City of Regina acquired the parcel of land that made way for the creation of Wascana Park. However, the creation did not go ahead until the provincial government rejected the land for the soon-to-be-built Legislative Building, choosing the Sinton property south of the reservoir instead.
With plans to have the Legislative Building bordering the park, significant steps were taken to enhance and develop the area to meet the grandeur of the provincial building. In 1906, Montreal landscape architect F.G. Todd was hired to design the Legislative Building grounds. The city accepted a provincial proposal to have Todd design plans for Wascana Park, aligning the two projects. Landscaping work began the following year and continued for several years. However, Todd’s plans were never fully completed, and some aspects faced discontent.
In 1913, English landscape architect T.H. Mawson was enlisted to create new plans, considering the work already done. Mawson was renowned for his commitment to the “City Beautiful” movement, which blended North American grid layouts with the more rounded designs of European cities, promoting beautiful urban vistas and park spaces. Although his plans to reshape Regina, including Wascana Park, were not fully realized, Wascana Park was landscaped in 1914 following his designs, which included the Wascana Centre Authority and the Broad Street Bridge.
In 1912, a portion of the park was sacrificed for commercial purposes. The land on the corner of Albert Street and Sixteenth Avenue was sold to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, which intended to construct a hotel called Chateau Qu’Appelle. However, the outbreak of World War I halted construction, and the building’s unfinished steel frame stood until the 1920s. Eventually, the same area was sold to the provincial government in 1935, becoming the site for the Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History (now the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.)
While some commercial ventures, such as a bathhouse, boat livery, and the Regina Boat Club, existed within the park, Regina imposed restrictions on further commercial development, ensuring that any commercial activities were limited or city-controlled to preserve the park’s essence.
Today, Wascana Park is the largest urban park in North America at 2,300 acres. It is Regina’s premier outdoor gathering place for families, events, and Canada geese.
Royal Saskatchewan Museum and original site of the Chateau Qu’Appelle
2445 Albert St
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM), originally known as the Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History, was built in 1955 to commemorate Saskatchewan’s 50th anniversary. The building was designed by architect E.J. McCudden. Its shape intentionally emulates the low and extended massing of the prairies’ dominant topography. Its open placement symbolizes the province’s vastness. The building’s exterior showcases Tyndall Stone, with bas-relief friezes by artist Robert Garner adorning the tops of the exhibit wing walls, depicting the province’s diverse flora and fauna.
You’ll notice the RSM building sits at an angle. It was built this way deliberately to avoid the leftover foundations of a disappointing chapter in Regina’s economic history, with the benefit of enabling people standing at the corner of Albert and College to look at the Museum and see the Legislative Building towering above it.
The 1906 census revealed that Moose Jaw’s population had surpassed Regina’s, so a plan was developed to secure additional rail connections in Regina. In 1910, the city granted land to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) for spur tracks and freight sheds. Several streets were closed to accommodate the company’s proposed short line along 16th Avenue (now College Avenue) to Albert Street. As part of the deal, the GTPR promised to build a train station and a luxury hotel, the Chateau Qu’Appelle, making Regina a key junction for trains. A temporary station was set up on the second block of College Avenue, west of Albert Street. The line ran from Albert Street to Elphinstone, connecting with a north-south line.
In 1912, the city council leased a portion of Wascana Park to support the opulent Chateau Qu’Appelle and provided tax incentives for its building. The building was designed in the magnificent Scotch Baronial style, characterized by its reminiscence to Scottish castles with conical roofs, battlements, and other medieval architectural features. The turning of the first sod on October 30, 1912, was hailed at the time as a momentous moment in Regina’s future development. The Morning Leader declared that the hotel would be globally renowned, much like Quebec’s Chateau Frontenac and Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier.
Sadly, the grand plans came to a halt when the GTPR declared bankruptcy in 1919. By 1924, the station had been removed from its central site and the Chateau Qu’Appelle, once envisioned as a “palatial million-dollar Grand Trunk Pacific hotel,” was never completed, nor was a permanent train station. The Canadian Pacific Railway would become the dominant rail line servicing Regina. Two sections of a reinforced concrete basement remained beneath the northwest corner of Wascana Park. The steel framework, towering five stories high, stood as a haunting skeleton for over a decade. Eventually, much of the steel was repurposed for the construction of the Hotel Saskatchewan, completed in 1927.
The Regina Cyclone
June 30, 1912
Canada’s deadliest tornado tore through Regina on Sunday, June 30, 1912, devastating the city with winds estimated at 400 kilometres per hour. The tornado claimed the lives of 28 people, injured 200, left 2,500 people temporarily houseless, and caused over $1.2 million in property damage—the equivalent of more than $31 million in 2024.
That day, ominous green funnel clouds materialized south of the city at about 4:50 p.m. At 5, the tornado, some 150 metres wide, struck with unrelenting force, unleashing a broad path of fury through the city. The residential area north of Wascana Lake and the central business district suffered the most significant damage amid destruction that extended over 18 kilometres before the tornado dissipated. In just twenty minutes, the tornado obliterated houses, causing some to explode as the pressure inside surged when the vortex passed overhead. The affluent residential area to the south witnessed substantial destruction, although pockets of houses miraculously stood untouched amidst the devastation.
The warehouse district saw numerous storage buildings demolished, and the Canadian Pacific Railway Roundhouse was stripped bare, with boxcars hurled into the air. Over 500 buildings, including the newly built Legislative Building, the six-week-old Central Library, the Metropolitan Methodist Church, Knox Presbyterian Church, First Methodist Church, YWCA, and YMCA, were destroyed or damaged.
A group of boaters on Wascana Lake found themselves caught in the storm, and frantically rowed for shore. Some sought safety in the boathouse, unaware that it would become a casualty of the storm. Several occupants were injured. The high winds tossed canoes and other items near the water’s edge into the air. One young boy found himself clinging to his canoe, unable to reach the shore, only to be flung across the water by the cyclone’s ferocity. Miraculously, he ended up lying in the park—only five feet of his canoe bottom left beneath him—with fragmented memories of how he got there.
The power of the tornado was immense, with one engineer estimating that millions of gallons of water were forcibly sucked out of Wascana Lake, dropping the water level by two feet.
Prior to the Regina Cyclone, the city was in a bustling era of growth and development. The storm’s devastation caused an abrupt shift in building priorities, as Reginans diligently repaired the damage while shouldering a storm debt that took a decade to pay.
Today, the only visible reminder of this catastrophic event is the contrasting bricks adorning the north wall of Regina’s Knox-Metropolitan United Church, symbolizing the structure’s collapse and subsequent rebuilding.
Darke Hall
2255 College Avenue
Designed by architect J.H. Puntin, Darke Hall was built in 1928-1929 on the west side of the original Regina College campus. Francis N. Darke generously donated $100,000 (equivalent to $1.7 million in 2024) for the construction of the Hall. Darke was a successful businessman with a passion for music and the arts. Darke Hall was intended to serve as the city’s premier performing arts centre, where Regina’s cultural aspirations could flourish.
For four decades, Darke Hall took center stage as the city’s primary performance venue. It hosted the Regina Symphony Orchestra, choirs, and numerous musical and theatrical groups, captivating audiences with its superb acoustics and elegant ambiance. Darke Hall’s role as a cultural hub has evolved since the larger Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts was built in 1968, but its value to the city has not been diminished.
Over the years, Darke Hall has undergone multiple renovations to meet the needs of Regina and preserve its architectural grandeur. In 1962, a rear addition was built to provide additional space. In 1986, the University of Regina undertook significant structural stabilization and restoration work, ensuring this historic gem continues to stand strong.
Darke Hall’s architectural significance in the city cannot be overstated. It was built in the grand Gothic Collegiate Revival style, with banked pointed arched windows, a prominent entryway, and projecting full-height bays. James H. Puntin, the talented architect behind Darke Hall, blended intricate brickwork with Tyndall stone detailing, creating a stunning masterpiece that also blends with the Tyndall stone featured on many of Regina’s early grand buildings.
The interior of Darke Hall is captivating: the concert hall boasts a spacious auditorium with seating for over 800 people, a semi-thrust stage, and a deep cantilevered balcony. The lavish lobby, adorned with intricate plasterwork and repeating motifs, creates an atmosphere of refined elegance. Every corner of Darke Hall is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into its creation. Step inside and see for yourself!
Darke Hall stands as a symbol of Regina College’s commitment to music and the arts. The college served as the city’s first post-secondary fine arts institution. Over the decades, the campus expanded under the guidance of Reverend E.W. Stapleford, offering university-level education, and fostering a vibrant cultural environment.
Francis N. Darke also gifted the Darke Memorial Chimes to Knox-Metropolitan Church, ensuring that the gift of music would resonate throughout the city. Darke’s impact on Regina’s cultural landscape through philanthropic endeavours is great and continues today.
In 2014, the University of Regina began ambitiously restoring Darke Hall, culminating in a grand gala reopening on April 21, 2022. Today, Darke Hall continues to stand as a premier concert and performance venue, managed by the Darke Hall Society.
Regina College
2155 College Avenue
The Regina College played a significant role in shaping education in Saskatchewan. Following the province’s establishment in 1905, a fervent demand for a university arose, sparking competition between Regina and Saskatoon. While Saskatoon was selected as the university site in 1909, Regina remained an appealing location for an additional college. Methodist churches had already established several colleges in Canada, and in 1910, Pastor Joseph H. Oliver and George W. Brown proposed the establishment of a college in Regina.
Regina College received its charter of incorporation in 1911, and a plot of land encompassing 23 acres was purchased from the provincial government. The college’s main building, designed by Montreal architects David Brown and Hugh Vallance, was three floors and included administrative offices, classrooms, a library, and dormitories. The college aimed to provide secondary education to rural youth with limited access to high schools. The expansion of the main building, featuring a west tower and girls’ residence, began in 1912 but was delayed due to the recession of 1913 and the onset of the WW1. This addition to the Regina Collage was not completed until 1916.
By 1927, over half of the student body was engaged in first and second-year arts studies. The growing emphasis on music and art led to the construction of the F.N. Darke Music and Art Building in 1928, equipped with a performance hall and music practice studios.
During WW1, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan repurposed the former Regina College buildings for training purposes, except for Darke Hall. After the war, enrollment on the Regina campus surged due to returning veterans, population growth, and economic recovery in the 1950s. Restorations were undertaken to bring the BCATP-occupied buildings back to their pre-war condition.
In the 1960s, Regina College transitioned to the University of Saskatchewan’s Regina Campus, offering full degrees to prospective students. A new campus was designated at the former Dominion Experimental Farm, with architect Minoru Yamasaki creating the master plan. The first buildings on the new campus opened in 1965.
Today, the original Regina College buildings, now known as the College Avenue Campus, serve a new purpose within the University of Regina: the Art Gallery building houses the Senior’s Education Centre and a section of the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and the former residence, now the Conservatory building, offers a space for musical education.
Provincial Normal School
1831 College Avenue
The Normal School is a historic institution that has shaped the educational landscape of Regina. The Normal School was a teacher’s college that provided instruction and training for aspiring teachers. It also housed the High School Correspondence Instruction Branch, the School Attendance Branch of the Department of Education, and the Provincial Museum.
The Provincial Normal School building was designed by the architectural firm Storey and Van Egmond and was built in 1913. Careful consideration was given in its design to the neighbouring Regina College, whose appearance, architecture, and positioning are reflected in the Normal School. A significant amount of grading was completed to ensure that the height of the Normal School appeared comparable to Regina College. Earth was hauled from the proposed Grand Trunk Pacific Hotel excavation site and dumped at the Normal School site, elevating the building by five feet.
During the construction process, the provincial government took measures to reduce the cost of the building without compromising its size or prominence. Non-essential features were eliminated, and more expensive materials were replaced with cost-effective alternatives. Wood was used as a substitute for terrazzo and tile floors, partitions, lintels, and windows. The originally planned concrete, fireproof floor was replaced with lumber and steel. One area they did not compromise on, however, was the exterior. The Normal School was set back far from the street to match Regina College, and renowned English landscape architect T.H. Mawson was employed by the provincial government to design the school grounds, ensuring a visually captivating exterior.
Over the years, the Normal School building underwent repairs, renovations, and changes in usage. It served as a training facility for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and later accommodated the Teachers’ College. In 1964, it became part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Regina Campus. Renovations were undertaken to meet the needs of different departments, such as the College of Education and the College of Fine Arts. In 2002, the building was renovated to become a sound stage for Canada-Saskatchewan Production Studios. The outside façade was maintained on the north face and is now connected to the adjacent CBC building.
Territorial Jail
1885 – 1920
In 1885, before Wascana Lake was developed as a multi-use park and even before Saskatchewan was a province, a territorial jail was built on the southwest corner of Broad Street and College Avenue, overlooking the north shore of Wascana Lake. The area was originally designated as a Federal Government Reserve.
After Saskatchewan was designated a province, the provincial government sold the western sector of the Federal Government Reserve to the City of Regina. This section was foundational for establishing Wascana Park, Regina College, and the Normal School.
The portion kept by the province housed the Territorial Jail complex. The compound featured employee cottages, a barn, a well house, and a cesspool. With its own garden, farmland, and underground utilities, the complex operated as a self-sustaining community.
In 1913, a troubling inspection report highlighted significant structural issues within the Territorial Jail. The building had settled considerably, leading to hazardous fractures. It was deemed unsafe for continued use as a jail. Alterations were made to the administrative section, providing temporary accommodation for 36 prisoners, while the jailer found a new residence on Osler Street.
The new correctional facility was built northeast of the city in 1913. The farm operations at the old Territorial Jail continued until 1919, utilizing the fertile land to grow crops that supported other provincial government institutional facilities. The old Territorial Jail was demolished around 1920.
Regina Auto Court
2779 Broad Street
The Regina Auto Court, constructed in 1926 along the northern shoreline of Wascana Lake and beside Broad Street, appeared as an innovative establishment in the realm of motels in Regina. Comprising many cabins, an office, a central kitchen, and washrooms, the auto court offered visitors a serene and park-like environment close to the water. Despite not being conveniently situated near the main highways, guests valued the peaceful setting. However, in 1951, the development of new highways altered the preferences of travellers, resulting in the closure of the Regina Auto Court as visitors sought alternative accommodations to suit their changing needs.
Wascana Place and Wascana Centre Authority
2900 Wascana Drive
Following a population and enrollment boom through the 1950s, the decision was made to expand the University in Regina, then an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan. A location was chosen to the southeast of the old campus buildings on College Avenue, where the University of Regina is still located today. The provincial government and the university agreed to work together to ensure that the south side of the lake was developed in a unified manner and sought a landscape architect to design the development.
On June 22, 1960, a memorandum titled, “A Proposal for the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts” was addressed to Hon. Woodrow Lloyd, then Minister of Education. The author, A.W. Johnson, was the Deputy Provincial Treasurer. He described a plan for the south side of Wascana to be set aside as a Centre for the Arts, Education and Government. His proposal also outlined a commission of representatives from the provincial government, the city, and the university to engage landscape architects to plan the entire development. The plan was approved in 1961, and Minoru Yamasaki of Birmingham, Michigan, was chosen as the architect and planner of the park’s layout. The Wascana Centre Act was passed in 1962, formally creating the Wascana Centre Authority.
The Act also stipulated that building and landscape development should be in conformity with a master plan. The statute required that the master plan must be updated every five years to keep it current with the on-going changes in the centre.
The headquarters of the new oversight organization is Wascana Place. It is located on a light incline on the edge of a meadow just north of the new Broad Street Bridge, where it blends with the landscaping yet retains a certain pre-eminence.
The building was designed by John Holliday Scott, an architect, and has a pavilion-type of structure that is clad in cedar and stands out without dominating the area. Inside the main entrance to the building is a hanging sculpture by Eli Bornstein. The offices are on the second and third floors. The bottom floor is open for public bookings along with the beautiful Lady Slipper Courtyard.
In 2017, the Provincial Capital Commission took sole supervision of Wascana Centre Authority, replacing the coalition of the province, city, and university.
Regina Power Plant and Saskatchewan Science Centre
2903 Powerhouse Drive
In 1890, the privately owned Regina Light and Power Company was created and, by 1904, it was controlled by the City of Regina. In 1914, a powerhouse to supply the city’s electricity was built on the north shore of Wascana Lake near Winnipeg and Douglas Avenues, the first coal-fired generating plant in the area.
Wascana Lake was deepened shortly before, creating a 111-acre expanse of water suitable for condensing purposes and a perfect location for a powerhouse. However, the provincial government refused to sell a suitable site to the city, and it was forced to purchase from a private interest. The plant was designed by Regina architectural firm Storey and Van Egmond and constructed by Wilson and Wilson. The contract was worth $90,800, but the cost only covered excavation, roofing, and interior structural steel installation. All the piping, fittings, and other fixtures were tendered separately.
The city specifically chose to build an attractive power plant, despite knowing it would likely cause a cost overrun. In February 1914, the city commissioners stated that the building would cost $25,000 more than estimated and announced that “it was considered advisable to increase the estimated costs… in order to provide for a building which should be an ornament to the shore of Wascana Lake which will one day be the beauty spot of the city.” The exterior of the plant featured white limestone trim, a Van Egmond hallmark, and several large steel-sashed Romanesque windows on each face.
In July 1914, the powerhouse became operational and reduced the cost of electricity significantly, providing the city of Regina with inexpensive power for many years. During that year, plans were made to build an outlet pipe to carry heated condenser steam water away from the intake pipe located near the power plant. This step was delayed due to the Great War but, by 1927, could no longer be pushed back. A concrete pipe was laid on the lakebed to serve this purpose. The discharge line is visible today on the lake shore opposite from the powerhouse.
Over the decades, technological advancements led to changes in the plant. In the 1940s, it switched to burning fuel oil, then to natural gas in the 1950s. The plant had five powerful steam boilers, operating at temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit. These boilers powered three turbines, producing electricity for 16 substations throughout the city.
The water from Wascana Lake flowed into the plant, serving as a coolant for the machinery. The condensed steam was then returned to storage tanks, raising the lake’s water temperature by ten degrees. While this inadvertent warmth helped maintain the plant’s efficiency, it also attracted a colony of Canada geese as well as a variety of other migratory birds, who found refuge on Wascana Lake throughout the year. As a result, the eastern part of Wascana Lake became a federally protected Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Faraway House
1912 – 1962
Built in 1912 for businessman and sheriff A.B. Cook, the grand brown brick home near Wascana Hill in Wascana Park was a testament to his success and deep connection to the community. The house was built by the Regina-based firm Storey and Van Egmond.
Faraway House was initially situated on a vast five-acre property in Douglas Park, southeast of the Powerhouse (now the Science Centre) and overlooking Wascana Lake. It stood as a haven of tranquillity, far removed from the bustling city centre. The residents of Faraway House revelled in the joy of house dances, snowshoeing excursions, and sleighing parties during the winters.
During the summer months, Faraway House maintained tennis courts and croquet lawns. The property featured a former RCMP riding horse, a small boat for crossing Wascana Creek, and a diving board-equipped raft for swimming in Wascana Lake. A barn housed horses and occasionally milking cows. The secluded nature of the Faraway House contributed to an air of mystery, inspiring stories and countless rumours, none of which were true.
The Cooks resided there until the mid-1920s, when A.B. Cook was appointed Superintendent of the Sanitorium near Fort Qu’Appelle. After their departure, the house was passed through the hands of many distinguished individuals, each leaving their unique imprint on the property. Owners such as Dr. E.A. McCusker lived there with his mother and nieces and later, the Hamilton MacLean’s, before ownership transferred to the Sifton’s who left the most vital imprint on Faraway House during their tenure.
In good weather, Victor Sifton, the publisher of the Leader-Post, could be seen walking several miles from his downtown office to the secluded Faraway House. The property continued to thrive under the care of its final residents, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Keffer, until its regrettable demolition in 1962, making way for the expansion of the Wascana Centre Authority.
Bird Sancturary
Wascana has long been home to many birds, including abundant geese and ducks started wintering near the powerhouse shortly after its construction in 1914 and were fed by local businesses and citizens.
While today the birds are protected within city limits, that has not always been the case. In the late 1800s, shooting in the city was fair game during the regulated seasons, but there were no limits on the number of birds one could ‘bag’. By 1887, the local gun club was established, and the number of birds in the area began to dwindle—one hunter reported shooting 45 ducks daily. By 1911, it wasn’t unheard of to see shooting from the Albert Street Bridge!
It wasn’t until September 1913 that a Game Refuge was established in the park to protect the rapidly dwindling bird population. The refuge originally spanned from Broad Street to the Wascana Golf Course. Prompted by drought in 1932 which threatened the habitat of birds in the park, the refuge was further expanded to encompass the area from the concrete bridge east of the golf course to the creek west of the RCMP barracks, becoming the Wascana Game Preserve. In 1933 the Regina Natural History Society (now Nature Regina) was formed and lobbied for a game warden. They achieved this goal in 1935, with the new position playing a crucial role in bird conservation.
One impassioned conservationist whose work has profoundly impacted Wascana was Fred Bard. For 36 years, Bard actively guided and pursued conservation efforts. From his vantage point on the south side of Wascana Lake as a Museum of Natural History employee, Bard closely observed and photographed wildlife. His dedicated efforts led to establishing of a flock of wild Canada geese in the marsh when they were nearing extinction in North America. Starting with a pair of captive geese donated by Ralph Stueck of Abernethy in 1953, hundreds of geese were raised, and offspring from this flock have been reintroduced to restock populations throughout Canada and the USA. Today, Canada geese are so plentiful in Wascana Park that reallocation efforts have occurred to other lake regions.
On August 24, 1955, Regina reached an agreement with the province on the boundaries of a new ‘Wascana Lake Bird Sanctuary.’ The sanctuary protected avian inhabitants from the city powerhouse to the new bypass east of Regina, becoming federally protected in 1956. The Waterfowl Display Ponds were constructed in 1971 for injured and captive waterfowl and outdoor education. Though injured waterfowl are housed elsewhere, the area is still an amazing place to see a variety of native bird species up close.
Preserving the marsh system and Regina’s natural heritage is an important and ongoing effort today.
Gardens and Nursery
The tree nursery in Wascana was established in 1910 to grow trees for planting in the park. This was a cost-saving measure, as mature trees were expensive. However, over time, it became a place to try which plant species could best weather Saskatchewan’s harsh climate. By 1913, the nursery contained more than 600 plant species – over 61,000 plants!
Every autumn, plants from the nursery were delicately moved to improve the surroundings of the Legislative Building. The remaining plants were used to make new nursery stock and beautify other government buildings and places. This effort went beyond official areas, with hospitals, sanatoriums, and even new islands on Wascana Lake receiving plants from the nursery.
George Watt, the famed gardener at Government House, was instrumental in utilizing the nursery’s trees, shrubs, and other plants. While the new Legislative Building was being built in the park, and landscape plans were commissioned, first from Frederick G. Todd but later replaced by Thomas Mawson. Watt worked tirelessly to clear the land, fighting mosquitoes and removing wagonloads of stinkweed to prepare the area. It was estimated that 20,000 trees and shrubs would be needed for the south side of the lake and another 24,000 on the north side, all painstakingly grown from cuttings raised in the nursery.
By 1912, significant progress was made after the Legislative Building’s completion. Watt wrote in his diaries, “Walked from Government House to a new site for government buildings on the south side of the reservoir. Still, think it is a good site but far too far out, and not a natural tree on the whole place. Got 1200 willow pole and 3000 cuttings from Waterloo Willow Co. today… Also, good large consignment of seeds from Germany.”
After the World War One, funding was cut, and many of Mawsons’ landscape plans were scrapped. However, some were revived in the 1920s, including the ornamental flower beds between Wascana Lake and the Legislative Building. These gardens now hold up to 30,000 flowers and plants, many grown from the nursery, with another 5,000 distributed throughout the Legislative grounds.
In 2005, the gardens were officially named the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens and dedicated by the Queen in person on May 18. To celebrate the centennial of the Legislative Building and the 50th anniversary of the Wascana Centre Authority, the gardens underwent a $1.3 million upgrade. This included new lighting, accessible pathways, benches, signage, improved irrigation, and perimeter landscaping.
The nursery has been expanded into what is now Arboretum Park, which features a natural habitat marsh area and new pathways.