NEWS & EVENTS

The Saskatoon Heritage Society Invites you to attend
2pm Sunday, April 27th, 2025
Luther Heights Theatre, 1802 Alexandra Avenue.
“Saskatoon a Century of Change”
How photographs have documented the changes of many historic sites in Saskatoon….. A presentation by Local Author, Photographer and Historian John Waddington

 

 

 

Friends of 114 Seminary Crescent Re-emphasize Vision Amid University’s Decision to Decline Expressions of Interest
Official Statement by committee established to save the building April 17 2025
We have put together a 71 page PDF file – if you would like a copy please email Hoknes@hotmail.com 

SASKATOON, SK — The Friends of 114 Seminary Crescent acknowledge the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors’ April 15 decision to decline all Expressions of Interest (EOIs) related to the repurposing of the historic Lutheran Seminary Complex and to proceed with demolition plans.
 
While this decision does not reflect what so many in the community have wanted nor anticipated, we remain committed to the possibilities that still exist. The conversation continues — as does the opportunity.
 
The building designed by renowned architect, John Holliday-Scott, at 114 Seminary Crescent, has inspired a growing movement of organizations, institutions and individuals committed to imagining a future rooted in partnership, reconciliation, and public benefit. Over these last months, local residents, building science professionals, heritage advocates, alumni, and international voices such as ICOMOS Canada have come together to offer meaningful and viable support for alternatives to demolition of the building and many were grateful for the Seminary’s incredible gesture to gift the building to a new owner should the University support a renewed purpose and vision for the structure and land. 
 
Despite limited timelines and other constraints, five expressions of interest were submitted in response to the University’s call and two that we are aware of are notable in their depth, clarity, responsiveness to safety concerns, financial viability (based on costs verified by a well-known local cost estimator), and alignment with the university’s mission and broader public goals.  The Saskatoon Tribal Council, with the permission of Chief Arcand, has graciously allowed their proposal to be shared publicly (see attached), outlining an Indigenous Student Centre of Excellence—a space for belonging, learning, and leadership grounded in reconciliation. The second, submitted by the Saskatchewan Awāsisak Ka-Sīhtoskāhcihk Child Advocacy Centre, proposed a co-located hub offering critical wraparound supports for vulnerable children, youth, and families.
 
These proposals reflect a collective desire to build something more—something future-focused, inclusive, and deeply meaningful to Saskatchewan’s evolving story. We remain committed to continuing these conversations—with the University, with the wider community, and with all who have stepped forward with a positive vision and spirit of collaboration.  We believe that proposals like these align with values of innovation, inclusion, and collaboration—values that define great institutions and resilient communities.
The Friends of 114 Seminary Crescent is a volunteer collective of architectural and planning professionals, concerned Lutherans, community and business leaders, alumni, heritage advocates, and citizens committed to the preservation and adaptive reuse of this significant piece of Saskatchewan’s built heritage. We believe in the power of partnerships, purpose-driven planning, and respectful dialogue to reimagine spaces in ways that honour the past while building a vibrant, inclusive future. 
 
We believe the University’s decision matters and that viable, community-driven alternatives exist. The path forward must build on collaboration, care, and creativity. While we deeply regret both the decision to demolish the building and the rejection of proposals and partnerships poised to move our communities forward in reconciliation, we look to continue our dialogue and support around the vision and leadership of those who have been working tirelessly to strengthen our communities while giving new life for this outstanding heritage building. 


We invite and welcome collaboration and support from all who share this vision. Together our voices can make a difference.
 
Members of the Friends of 114 Seminary Crescent will be available for media comment on Monday, April 21 at 10:30 am via Zoom (Link below)
Please contact us to arrange interviews or request additional information.
 
Media Contact:
Colin Tennent
Friends of 114 Seminary Crescent
 
Warm regards,
Rev. Richard Engel, BA, M.Div., Lutheran Chaplain
Monica Kreuger, MBA, ICD.D
Megan Krueger, Principal Architect, Wallace Krueger Architects, SAA
Michael Molaro, Principal, Higher Groundwork Horticulture, LEED AP, GRP
Luke Ryalls, Registered Architect, Wallace Krueger Architects, SAA
Peggy Schmeiser, PhD, Adjunct Professor 
Lenore Swystun, Director and Principal Partner Prairie Wild Consulting Co., RPP, MCIP, President Saskatoon Heritage Society
Colin Tennent, Architect (Retired) SAA, FRAIC
Andrew Wallace, Principal Architect, Wallace Krueger Architects, SAA
We acknowledge that 114 Seminary Crescent stands on Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. We honour the land and the diverse Indigenous peoples whose presence and stewardship continue to shape this place.

USask set to demolish two historic buildings after failed restoration bids
Author: Brody Langager    Published in Star Phoenix April 17 2025

Two historic buildings on USask grounds are being demolished after attempts to find restoration bids.

Two historic buildings on the University of Saskatchewan grounds will be demolished after failed attempts to find alternate uses for them.

Community feedback had paused the demolition of the buildings at 113 and 114 Seminary Crescent back in December 2024, but the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors said none of the five job bids to restore the 114 Seminary Crescent building were financially viable, adding that a consulting firm estimated $55 to $60 million would be required to restore it.

The board added that the fire department’s order for the 113 Seminary Crescent building required it to be repaired and operational by May, and that demolition was the only practical and financially-viable option.

USask said the 113 Seminary Crescent building would have required significant investment, noting issues around flooding and an electrical transformer failure.

The Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) has owned the 114 Seminary building since 1967, but it hasn’t been used in the past five years.

“While the board appreciates the historical significance of the Lutheran Theological Seminary building, this does not outweigh the very real and immediate risk to public safety posed by these vacant and deteriorating buildings, nor does it supersede the board’s fiduciary responsibility,” the board said in a statement.

The LTS buildings were the work of Saskatoon architect John Holliday-Scott, and USask said while the building was considered an affiliated asset in the university’s heritage register, it didn’t have heritage status that was recognized federally, provincially or municipally.

USask said it will consider ways to commemorate the 60-year old buildings.

It added that the space is best suited for a recreational or open space for the university community, and that the area is part of a proposed national urban park.

Building demolitions are set to proceed within the next few months.

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Our annual auctions ran Mar 29 to April 12 2025.  The items are all on a special auction page on Facebook.com so just go to this link and you can place bids on any of the 165 amazing items all at unbelievable prices.

Saskatoon Heritage Society is a non-profit charitable organization that, for close to 50 years, has provided an independent voice for the preservation of Saskatoon’s heritage, adhering to its mandate of encouraging an appreciation of our historic places and cultural heritage, and advocating for their protection. The Society receives absolutely no government funding and relies, almost entirely, on the proceeds of an Annual Auction to finance its educational and advocacy activities.

Become a member of the Saskatoon Heritage Society!

Keep up to date on issues and have a voice in decisions that affect our heritage. Your membership fee also includes a yearly subscription to our newsletter.Heritage Society Memberships for One Year
• Senior Citizen $10.00
• Student $8.00
• Individual $15.00
• Family $20.00
• Corporate $30.00
You can purchase your yearly membership three ways:
a) Via credit card online through www.paypal.com
Send payment to saskatoonheritagesociety@gmail.com
b) Via e-transfer to saskatoonheritagetreasurer@gmail.com . Please include the membership type you are purchasing, along with your name, address, email address and phone number in the message box.
c) Or by sending your name, address, email address, phone number, and payment to: Saskatoon Heritage Society, P.O. Box 7051, Saskatoon, SK S7K 4J1.
You can also become involved by attending a Board Meeting. The Saskatoon Heritage Society meets the third Wednesday of each month.
For further information: 306 652-9801.

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