College Avenue Campus Donor wall unveiling offers Darke Hall design rendering sneak peek

By Greg Duck Posted: October 4, 2019 5:00 p.m.

The College Avenue Campus Donor Wall highlights the history of the century-old campus, the timeline of the College Avenue Campus Renewal Project, and the donors who are helping to bring the massive revitalization project to life. Photo: University Advancement and Communications

More than a decade after a restored College Avenue Campus was first imagined, a very special College Avenue Campus donor wall was unveiled. At an event today, Donors on hand were treated to a special sneak peek of what a revitalized Darke Hall will mean to the community.

On October 4, many of the more than 550 donors who contributed to the completion and restoration of the College Avenue Campus Renewal Project were on hand for the unveiling of the Project's donor wall. The wall is a tangible reminder that it takes a committed group of community members to work together to build great things for the larger community. Donors, like project champion Jean Freeman, who have contributed more than $5,000 will see their names featured on the wall, located outside of the Conexus Multipurpose Room in the College Building.

In addition to the unveiling of the donor wall, guests were treated to a presentation by architect Kate Jackson from P3A Architecture and a first look at the design renderings of the restored Darke Hall, the second-phase of the College Avenue Campus Renewal Project. The first phase of the Project was celebrated with the Grand Re-Opening of the College Building in October 2018. Efforts are now focused on phase two of the Project: Saving Darke Hall.

Slated to reopen in early 2021, the almost century-old Darke Hall will be restored and revitalized, fully accessible for all. Seating will provide improved viewing, elevators and wider aisles will make the venue more accessible, a new atrium area will enhance the guest experience, and updated front and back of house are among the many features of the soon-to-be renewed venue.

Speaking to the importance of the project and the noticeable impact that donors have had for the restoration of College Avenue Campus, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons underscored the tremendous support the Project has received.

"The College Building and Darke Hall will continue to serve generations to come because of the generosity of so many in our community!" said Timmons.

Originally constructed in 1929 as a temple to the arts for the entire community, Darke Hall had become a shell of its former self. With nearly a century of love and use, the building, although still beautiful and acoustically stunning, no longer met code and was facing demolition. The community did not want Darke Hall to disappear from Saskatchewan's arts and culture scene, and is rallying to provide the support "Saving Darke Hall" requires. Today, the restoration is that much closer, particularly with the introduction of the Ann and Roger Phillips Foundation's gift of $1-million. A further $500,000 gift is possible through the Darke Hall Matching Gift Challenge.

A revitalized Darke Hall will serve:

-Future generations of musicians, dancers, and actors who will grace the Darke Hall stage

-Audience members who will experience these performances

-Our city and province - whose cultural landscape is enhanced by Darke Hall.

"We will raise the curtain on another century of performances at Darke Hall!" said Timmons.

Related

Grand re-opening of historic College Avenue Campus

Darke Hall restoration receives $1-million accessibility grant

University of Regina Alumni Association makes generous gift towards Darke Hall restoration