University of Saskatchewan's historic building slated for demolition

There is a building on the University of Saskatchewan campus that has been an eyesore for a few years, and now the historic building is slated for demolition. However, historians want campus officials to rethink the plan to get rid of it.

The Lutheran Theological Seminary sits on the riverbank on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Built in the late 1960s and pushing 60 years old, there is a plan in the works to demolish it for several reasons. However, because of its architectural significance, some don't want that to happen.

"We were really surprised about the sudden decision by the University to put forward a proposal to demolish," Peggy Sarjeant, with the Saskatoon Heritage Society, told CTV News.

According to Sarjeant, the building is on the A-list of significant buildings on the campus registry – complete with a river-facing courtyard, library, and theatre.

"It’s a beautiful example of late modern architecture by John Holiday Scott, a well-known architect in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan," she said.

A public meeting was held last month about the demolition plan, and the architect, now in his 90s, was there.

"And he spoke about his distress at the thought of them demolishing the building," she said.

The Lutheran Seminary college stopped using the building in 2020, and since then, it has become a target for vandalism, such as graffiti and broken windows. A fence was put up around the property in November of this year to limit access. All of this has led to the plan to tear it down.

"It was a very difficult decision, and it really is with any demolition or decision to remove or demolish a building," Wade Epp, the assistant vice president of campus operations, said.

One of the big concerns with this building currently is that people have gotten inside by breaking windows, which have been boarded up, and there are safety issues, according to Epp.

"There have been indications of a couple of internal fires and one external fire, as well as drug paraphernalia."

Adding, it would take significant work and money to bring the building up to code. Sarjeant doesn't buy that, saying refurbishing campus buildings is common and worth it.

A meeting held in November brought out stakeholders, she said, some who have also expressed interest in helping and she’s encouraged by that.

"There's also significant interest on the part of local architects who are really concerned about losing an architectural gem."

The board of university governors is meeting next week, and Sarjeant is hopeful they will reconsider the decision to get rid of the building and look at the potential for partnerships. She says, with Innovation Place and Sask. Polytech on campus, there is potential for someone to breathe new life into the dilapidated structure.