#JustCurious: A Sask. legislative building history lesson
The Saskatchewan Legislative building is one of the most historic properties in the province. It’s where government conducts business and introduces, debates and passes laws that impact you.
According to the Government of Saskatchewan website and the Sask. Archives, the building was designed by a from Montreal callked E. & W.S. Maxwell and the construction was carried out by another Montreal-based firm called Peter Lyall & Sons. Construction began in August 1908 and finally finished in 1912.
Prior to completion, the legislative assembly of Saskatchewan was in the North-West Territorial Administration Building on Dewdney Avenue.
The premier at the time, Walter Scott, saw limitations in the space and put the wheels in motion on a new space in 1905.
The location was subject of much controversy. The City of Regina had hoped for Town Park which is now home to the Creative Saskatchewan Soundstage. Victoria Park was also under consideration. Premier Scott, however, had already eyed up the space that the legislative building is currently located on, and proceeded to buy the area for a little over $96,000. Factoring in inflation rates, the cost at the time would be roughly $2.76 million today.
The plans originally called for the exterior to be red brick but once construction began, Premier Scott, decided that limestone would give it a more grandeur look and feel.
The building itself is comprised of dolomitic limestone, more commonly known as Tyndall Stone.Tyndall Stone, is actually a trademark name owned by Gillis Quarries Ltd. It’s sort of like how a lot of people call all tissues “Kleenex” but not all tissues come from that maker.
The stone comes from Selkirk, Man., and the mottling gives the rock a tapestry-like effect.
You’ll see the same in parliament buildings in Ottawa, and a number of Federal buildings.
In 2014, the Saskatchewan government did a lot of work on the stone and the dome.
The Chambers were designed to accommodate 125 MLA’s. Premier Scott expected that people would flood into Saskatchewan, which didn’t happened the way he envisioned. There are just over 60 MLA’s today, but that does leave plenty of room for expansion if our population does increase in such a way that warrants another representative.
The first session of the legislative library was held on Jan.11, 1911.
The final cost of construction in 1912 was $1.8 million dollars. That’s roughly $49.15 million today.
The Saskatchewan legislative building was the first to be named a Provincial Heritage Property in 1978 and earned a National Historic Site designation in 2005.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.