Project Overview

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In 1997, a four-year emergency restoration project to address structural deficiencies of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building was begun. The project was completed in the spring of 2001.

Construction on the foundation of this impressive stone structure began with the driving of the piles on August 31, 1908. Work was completed four years later on October 14, 1912, when the building officially opened. Inside the building, 34 types of marble from around the world were used during construction of the pillars, stairs, flooring and other parts of the building. Since construction, the Saskatchewan Legislative Building has played an essential role in the province’s history. It is more than a centerpiece for government. It has become a vital link - through tourism and educational opportunities to our heritage.

From the outside, many people would be extremely hard pressed to notice what role age has played on this historic building. Because of its significance and the importance of work that goes on there, Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation (SPMC) has been very diligent in properly maintaining and preserving the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.

In 1997, SPMC announced an emergency restoration project for the Saskatchewan Legislative Building to address major structural deficiencies. Engineering consultants told SPMC that the foundation under the Dome as well as the North, South and East wings is shifting and failure to address the problems immediately could result in the closure of parts of the building for public safety reasons.

Other than ground floor renovations, mechanical and electrical work done to the building in the 1960's and 1970's, a maintenance project of this magnitude had never been undertaken.

Warning signs of the building's structural deficiencies had begun to appear throughout the building. Cracks along the building's exterior and interior along with the dislodging of some Tyndall stone fragments off the exterior of the building were signs of the building's structural deficiencies.

The rehabilitation project will ensure not only the structural integrity of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building and will preserve an historic treasure for future generations.

The Saskatchewan Legislative Building Rehabilitation Project also provided the opportunity to upgrade the building's fire code and accessibility standards. Stabilizing the building, along with the initial design work to ensure the success of this project, were completed in Phase I of the rehabilitation project. It was during this phase that approximately 1,800 pre-cast concrete piles were successfully installed under the building using a process known as underpinning.

Phase II of the rehabilitation project included upgrades to the building’s fire code and accessibility standards. Both phases have been delivered with a heritage conservation approach to ensure the historical aspects of the building remain intact.

The rehabilitation project also included the development of a master plan. The master plan documents all physical, operational and code-related building deficiencies. The plan establishes a sense of order to these deficiencies so they can be addressed in a logical and meaningful way in the future. The plan will establish conservation-based guidelines for continued rehabilitation of the building that are consistent with the heritage characteristics of the building.