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.
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.
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.
SHS – SASKATOON HERITAGE SOCIETY – JUNE 2024 – NEWSLETTER – Read latest heritage news & other history articles
http://saskatoonheritage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Heritage-Connections-Jun-2024-Newsletter.pdf
Saskatoon History Review #33 is now available
Welcome to the Saskatoon Heritage Society – please watch the following video which tells you more about our organization. We also have an extensive collection of local history videos on the links above as well as 33 issues of our annual Saskatoon History Review magazine available for purchase.
SASKATOON WALKING TOURS – SUMMER 2024 hosted by Saskatoon Heritage Society
Sunday July 14 – 2 p.m. – Historic Downtown Tour. Learn of the settlement, and
development, of Saskatoon’s historic downtown district, with local historian, Terry Hoknes. Tour to last
approx. 1 ½ hours. Assemble outside of the Bessborough Hotel at 2: p.m. – A Saskatoon Heritage Society
(SHS) programme: Donations welcome!
Sunday July 28 – 1.30 p.m. – Forestry Farm Park Walking Tour and Open House.
Superintendent’s Residence Open House 1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m., followed by a tour of the park at 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the history of the park and its impressive collection of various trees and shrubs. – A Friends of
the Forestry Farm House (FFFH) Programme – www.fffh.ca
Sunday August 11 – 2 p.m. – Saskatoon’s Early History- Broadway Avenue Tour.
Assemble at the Pioneer Memorial Cairn (top of Broadway Bridge & Saskatchewan Cres) and learn about the early history of Saskatoon’s settlement from your tour guide, local historian Terry Hoknes. The tour duration, will be approximately 1 ½ hours. – A Saskatoon Heritage Society (SHS) programme: Donations welcome!
Sunday August 25 – 1.30 p.m. – Forestry Farm Park Walking Tour and Open House.
Superintendent’s Residence Open House 1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m., followed by a tour of the park at 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the history of the park and its impressive collection of various trees and shrubs. – A Friends of the Forestry Farm House (FFFH) Programme – www.fffh.ca
Sunday September 22 – 2 p.m. – Nutana Pioneer Cemetery Tour (1.5hrs).
Led by local historian, Dianne Wilson – Meet at corner of Ruth Street W & St. Henry Avenue.
Saskatoon’s original cemetery (1884-1948) commemorates those intrepid members of the settlement
and homesteading community of the early days of the Temperance Colony. Come and hear some of
their stories- A Saskatoon Heritage Society (SHS) programme: Donations welcome!
SHS – SASKATOON HERITAGE SOCIETY – DECEMBER 2023 – NEWSLETTER – Read latest heritage news & other history articles
http://saskatoonheritage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Heritage-Connections-Dec-2023-Newsletter.pdf
Saskatoon Heritage Society Annual AGM July 4th 2024 7pm Queens Retreat (601 Taylor St West)
Welcome to the Saskatoon Heritage Society – please watch the following video which tells you more about our organization.
We also have an extensive collection of local history videos on the links above as well as 33 issues of our annual Saskatoon History Review magazine available for purchase.