Conexus Arts Centre
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 Conexus Arts Centre | |
 | |
| Former names | Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts |
|---|---|
| Location | 200A Lakeshore Drive Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Coordinates | 50°25′42.01″N 104°35′52.41″W / 50.4283361°N 104.5978917°W |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | 2031 |
| Opened | August 24, 1970 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Conexus Arts Centre, known from 1970 till 2006 (and still largely known) as the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts, is a theatre complex located within Wascana Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan. Planned and originally funded to commemorate the Canadian Centennial in 1967, its construction was interrupted by a substantial increase in cost and after the steel frame was put up the project did not proceed further for some years. A substantial reduction in the nature of many intended building materials permitted the project to resume the project and after the long delay the Centre of the Arts was opened by Governor General Roland Michener on August 24, 1970 to serve southern Saskatchewan as a centre for performing arts and exhibitions as well as university functions by the adjacent University of Regina.[1]
The building, designed by Izumi, Arnott, and Sucijama, is an Estevan brick and Manitoba Tyndall stone structure which houses the Main Theatre (seating 2031), formerly known as Shirley Bell Theatre; Convention Hall (seating 1600), previously known as Doris Knight Hall, Hanbidge Hall and Jubilee Theatre; and various conference rooms and lobby display areas. Main Theatre, with three balconies, has a large stage whose front lowers hydraulically to form an orchestra pit for 100 musicians. The centre is the home of the Regina Symphony Orchestra[1] and alternates hosting duties for Telemiracle with TCU Place in Saskatoon.
The building was meant as a Canadian centennial project but construction ceased after the steel frame was up and was not opened until August 24, 1970 at a cost of $7.7 million, with considerable reductions in the quality and cost of the material for building . Rising construction costs and a lack of additional finances left the unfinished steel structure stalled for almost two years. Engineering students at the University of Regina dubbed it the "world's largest monkey bars".[2] It was completed after cutbacks were made to the original plans, including the exterior cladding.[3]
It was renamed the Conexus Arts Centre on January 5, 2006 when the Conexus Credit Union (formerly the Sherwood Credit Union) took over the underwriting of part of its operating budget.[2]
References
- ^ a b Mills, Isabelle. "Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Dominion Institute. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
- ^ a b "10 entertainment landmarks in Regina". Leader-Post. Postmedia Network. 2013-04-22. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
- ^ "History". Conexus Arts Centre. Retrieved 2013-05-16.