WASCANA CENTRE 2016 MASTER PLAN

The 10th Sequential Master Plan for Wascana Centre Authority / 2016

The 2016 Wascana Centre Master Plan is dedicated to Roger du Toit, 1939 - 2015

Roger was Architect Planner and Chair of Wascana Centre Authority’s Architectural Advisory Committee since 1982. His passion for quality planning and design is evident throughout Wascana Centre, and his authorship of numerous Master Plans leaves a legacy for generations to come. Wascana Centre Authority Wascana Place 2900 Wascana Drive Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Mailing Address: Wascana Centre Authority P.O. Box 7111 Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3S7 Phone: (306) 522-3661 Fax: (306) 565-2742 www.wascana.ca

DTAH 50 Park Road Toronto, Ontario M4W 2N5 Phone: (416) 968-9479 Fax: (416) 698-0687 www.dtah.com WASCANA CENTRE 2016 MASTER PLAN Approved by Wascana Centre Authority March 10, 2016

WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council: Wayne Clifton Russ Marchuk, MLA Richard Murray Al Nicholson Rodney Sieffert

Appointed by resolution of the City of Regina: His Worship Mayor Michael Fougere (Chair) Councillor Michael O’Donnell Councillor Barbara Young

Appointed by the Board of Governors of the University of Regina: President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons Dale Schoffer Nelson Wagner

WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE Nelson Wagner (Chair) Wayne Clifton Lin Gallagher John Lee Richard Murray Jim Nicol Councillor Michael O’Donnell

WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY STAFF STEERING GROUP Bernadette McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to Wascana Centre Authority Board Michael Mamona, Chief Operating Officer Michelle Paetsch, Chief Financial Officer Ryan Whippler, Manager of Communications and Events Elizabeth Hill, Executive Assistant

WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Roger du Toit (Architect Planner and Chair) (Deceased) Len Novak Michael Robertson L. Frederick Valentine John Wall

CONSULTANTS Roger du Toit, DTAH (Deceased) Brent Raymond, DTAH Peter Fletcher Smith, DTAH Robert N. Allsopp, DTAH TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

CHAPTER 1.0 WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY 9

1.1 A Statutory Partnership of Public Land Owners 10 1.2 A Master Plan for Coordinated Development and Preservation 12 1.3 Implementing the Master Plan 12 1.4 Revising the Master Plan 12 1.5 Planning Horizon 12 1.6 Planning Participation 12

CHAPTER 2.0 WASCANA LAKE 13

2.1 Wascana Creek 14 2.2 Irrigation 16 2.3 Quantity and Quality of Water 17 2.4 Recreational Use 18 2.5 Wildlife Preservation and Educational Use 19 2.6 Land-Based Support Facilities 20

CHAPTER 3.0 PLANNING PRINCIPLES 21

Principle 1: Main Components of the Centre 22 Principle 2: Land Use Pattern 24 Principle 3: Mature and Developing Areas 26 Principle 4: Landscape Character 28 Principle 5: Landscape Management 32 Principle 6: Understorey Management 36 Principle 7: Building Pattern 38 Principle 8: Heritage 40 Principle 9: Roads Through Wascana 46 Principle 10: Scenic Drives 48 Principle 11: Parking 50 Principle 12: The Trail System 52 Principle 13: Information Systems 54 Principle 14: Commemoration and Public Art 56 Principle 15: Building Heights 60 Principle 16: Universal Access 61 Principle 17: Plan for All Seasons 61 Principle 18: Project Expectations Checklist 62

CHAPTER 4.0 PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTIONS 65

Area 1: South of College Avenue 66 Area 2: Wascana Headland 72 Area 3: Legislative Precinct 74 Area 4: Family Parkland 80 Area 5: Conexus Arts Centre 82 Area 6: Douglas Park/Wascana Hill 84 Area 7: Waterfowl Park 88 Area 8: The University Precinct 90 Area 9: Wascana East 98 Area 10: Wascana South 100 Composite Demonstration Plan 102

CHAPTER 5.0 URBAN AND RURAL CONTEXT 105

5.1 Part of a Green Space System 106 5.2 Continuity of Circulation 107 5.3 Connections to Downtown 108 5.4 Connections t o Residential Neighbourhoods 110 5.5 Visibility of Surrounding Development 111 5.6 Up-stream Conditions 112

CHAPTER 6.0 IMPLEMENTATION 115

6.1 Design Review of Proposed Improvements 116 6.2 Wascana Centre Authority Initiatives 119 6.3 Encouragement of Initiatives by Others 120

APPENDIX 1 PLAN HISTORY 121

1913 Mawson Plan 122 1927 Zoning Plan 124 1948 Faludi City Plan 125 1962 Yamasaki/Church Plan 126 1967 Yamasaki/Church Review 128 1972 Long Plan 130 1975 Legislative Area Plan 132 1977 Long Review 134 1982 Wascana East Plan 136 1982 du Toit Associates Plan 138 1987 du Toit Allsopp Hillier Plan 140 1992 du Toit Allsopp Hillier Plan Review 142 1998 University of Regina Campus Plan 144 1999 Research Park Plan 146 1999 du Toit Allsopp Hillier Plan Review 148 2003-2004 Big Dig 150 2015 City of Regina Transportation Master Plan 152 2006 Strategic Framework 153 2006 DTAH Plan 154

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This is the tenth Wascana Centre as a place encapsulates much of the history of the province, from prehistoric times as the bottom of a great inland sea, through early sequential Master Plan indigenous settlement, farming settlement, the expression of great aspiration for Wascana Centre. in the government of the land, the carving of a treed oasis and recreational These plans represent a area, to the current foresighted vision to meet five noble purposes, followed by their implementation over the last fifty years or more. This tenth Master Plan level of continuity in the seeks to continue that vision, tailored in small but relevant ways to the needs development of a place of today, as its predecessors have done in increments over the years. which is extremely rare The Master Plan is a tool that is central to the operation of Wascana Centre in Canada and indeed, Authority. The role of the Master Plan is to ensure that ongoing development, both landscape and institutional, furthers the vision upon which Wascana the world. Centre was founded - the seat of Government, education and research, cultural arts, recreational opportunities and conservation of the environment. To the founders, the importance of the Master Plan merited its inclusion in The Wascana Centre Act, which governs the operation, development and financing of the Centre.The Act stipulates the contents of the Master Plan, and also the scheduling and procedures for its periodic review and renewal.

Contents of the Master Plan (Excerpted from The Wascana Centre Act)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 1 The 2016 Master Plan document Significant Changes to the emphasis is on water-based begins by describing Wascana the Plan recreation. In the upper or eastern Centre Authority, and its planning lake, the emphasis is on wildlife and administrative process. The Changes to the Master Plan occur habitat and education. report then deals with Wascana as result of several factors including Lake, followed by general planning new requirements and changing Given the benefit of a 10-year principles and then detailed community expectations. Changes perspective, the “Big Dig” has examinations of the various also reflect societal shifts that are been a success. Scientists at the development areas. Important occurring well beyond Wascana University of Regina, who have been aspects of the urban and rural Centre and Saskatchewan. Global studying Wascana Lake along with context of the Centre follow. The warming, for instance, is now a other lakes throughout the province, report concludes with a description matter of world-wide concern that observe that the lifespan of the lake of the implementation process and is influencing planning efforts at all has been extended to beyond 500 a condensed list of implementation levels, including Wascana Centre. years. They also observe that plant items. For those interested, a growth and the consequent noxious detailed record of Wascana Centre’s The following is a brief summary of odours have been significantly planning history is included as an changes that have been made in the reduced. Appendix to the Master Plan. 2016 Master Plan. These benefits are in addition to Wascana Lake the significant benefits a deeper The Lake is the centerpiece of lake has brought in terms of Wascana Centre. Flooding, irrigation recreational use of the lake and the supply, water quality and quantity, lake’s capacity to provide water for recreational, wildlife and educational irrigation purposes. uses and land-based support facilities continue to be discussed in Going forward, potential upstream the 2016 Master Plan. sources of pollution that could affect Wascana Lake should be monitored The Lake is divided into two zones on an ongoing basis. separated by the Broad Street Bridge. In the lower or western lake,

Regina, Saskatchewan

Map of Canada indicating location of Regina, Saskatchewan, home to Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 2 Principles Principle 1 - Main Components of the Centre: The development of Wascana Centre has stabilized to the point that there have not been major changes in land use from the 2006 Plan. One addition in this Plan is the identification of Wascana South as a place that will be required to accommodate Wascana uses in the future.

Principle 2 - Land Use Patterns: Major land use patterns at the Centre remain unchanged from the 2006 Plan.

Principle 3 - Mature and Developing Areas: The 2016 Plan confirms the shift in emphasis from development to stewardship. Much of Wascana Centre is mature in the sense that development in those areas is nearing completion and landscapes are well-established. Changes in these areas will largely be limited to modest building renovations and replacements, and to normal landscape evolution. Currently under cultivation, large parts of the south and east quadrants of Wascana Centre are identified for future, as yet undefined, institutional and parkland development. Developing Area (This item incorporates Principle 7, Preservation Landscapes, in the 2006 Plan) Mature Area

Principle 4 - Landscape Character: The mature landscapes of Wascana Centre are rooted in romantic Mature and Developing Landscape landscape motifs imported from Europe at the beginning of the 20th Century. These landscapes are cherished and should be maintained. Going forward, however, the natural and cultural prairie setting should be adopted as a basis for future landscape development. These landscapes will be more sustainable, and will reflect a contemporary, localized aesthetic.

(This item expands upon Principle 4.4, Landscape Pattern, in the 2006 Plan)

Principle 5 - Landscape Management: Management strategies should be developed that will promote sustainability in the face of increasing diminished water resources. A first strategy will be to prioritize levels of maintenance throughout the established landscapes. A second strategy will be to adopt sustainable, prairie- based approaches to the design of new landscapes.

The 2016 Plan identifies limited areas that should receive high maintenance and expands the extent of low maintenance landscape. High

Principle 6 - Understorey Management: The 2016 Plan Medium sets out strategies for improving public safety and views Low through the landscape through the selective removal of understorey while respecting wildlife.

Maintenance Regimes

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 3 Principle 7 - Building Pattern: The 2016 Plan recommends that future development respects the orthogonal grid of the prairie survey system.

Principle 8 - Heritage: In the 2016 Plan, Wascana Centre as a whole is considered as a Cultural Heritage Landscape based on its longevity, historical associations and the prominence of past designers. The Legislative Building and Grounds currently enjoy federal heritage designation. The 2016 Plan identifies other buildings and landscapes that should be identified for further heritage assessment and possible designation in the near future.

Principle 9 - Roads Through Wascana: The 2016 carries forward the analysis and recommendations from the 2006 Plan.

Principle 10 - Scenic Drives: The 2016 Plan continues to support the maintenance of Scenic Drives as an important way of allowing people to experience Wascana Centre. However, to help resolve periodic conflicts between cars and other users, the 2016 Plan recommends giving priority to active transportation modes (walking, jogging, cycling) by closing certain portions of these roads either permanently or during times of heavy use.

The 2016 Plan realigns the Douglas Park scenic The Romantic Landscapes road (back to the existing) to avoid the historic Sifton Homestead and to maintain the link through to Park Street.

Principle 11 - Parking: Institutional parking should be located underground or in structures. Picnic parking should be screened and dispersed.

Principle 12 - The Trail System: The 2016 Plan continues to support the development of a comprehensive, multi- purpose trail system. The trail system is being developed over time, with key segments near Douglas Park still to be formalized. Other improvements should be made along the north side of the West Lake. Conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists can be alleviated by making roads more bike-friendly, and by implementing minimum widths for multi-use trails.

All trails are multi-purpose and there are no plans to provide separated trails for pedestrians and cyclists. For this reason, the 2006 principle on Bicycle Routes has been incorporated into Principle 10. Prairie Landscape

Principle 13 - Information Systems: The 2016 Plan View Axis carries through the 2006 objectives for the development of a comprehensive signage and wayfinding system.

The Prairie Base

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 4 Principle 14 - Commemoration and Public Art: Wascana Centre is a popular venue for commemorations and public art because of its visibility and high profile. Since these installations are typically viewed as permanent, proposals for new pieces should be carefully reviewed to ensure an appropriate fit between subject, site and expression. Particularly popular as a location for public art and commemorations, the Legislative Precinct is identified for installations of only provincial and national importance. A Commemoration Park is identified south of the Legislative Precinct for other commemorations.

Principle 15 - Building Heights: Like the 2006 Plan, this Plan supports the idea of limiting building heights to maintain the visual dominance of the tree cover. The 2016 Plan sets the limit at 13.0 meters, and removes the somewhat ambiguous reference to the height of “average mature trees”.

Principle 16 - Universal Access: The 2016 Plan continues to support the goal of making Wascana Centre Designated Structures accessible to all people. Structures of Interest Principle 17 - All Seasons: Wascana Centre should be developed to encourage use in all seasons. This can be achieved through sensitive design, appropriate management and relevant programming. Heritage Buildings and Structures Principle 18 - Project Expectations Checklist: The 2016 Plan includes a checklist that should guide proponents in preparing development proposals, and help in their review and evaluation.

Planning Areas 1 - South of College Avenue: The 2016 Plan places special emphasis on the protection of historic Wascana Park, and in the re-creation of selected visual connections between College Avenue and the Lake. Expansion of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum is adjusted to maintain the presence of the Park on College Avenue. Expansion of the University of Regina College Avenue Campus will occur to the south and east of the existing buildings and in a pattern reminiscent of Mawson’s 1913 plan for the area.

2 - Wascana Headland: No change from the 2006 Plan.

3 - Legislative Precinct: Institutional development in this area reflects Provincial policy, and is therefore predicted to be quite limited. The Mall south of the Legislative Designated Landscape Building is reconfigured into a large open lawn, similar to that shown in the 1962 Yamasaki Master Plan. The Landscapes of Interest parkland south of the Legislative Grounds is identified as a location for additional commemorations. Vegetation along the shoreline is selectively removed to create Heritage Landscapes

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 5 “windows to the lake”. A new floral for the northeast quadrant of the court yard, and the FNUniv access conservatory is sited within the Main Campus. A mix of academic, road will be changed to align with former Broad Street Nursery, which athletic and structured parking the road north of Luther College. is redeveloped into “Nursery Park”. facilities are planned for the southwest quadrant. A new facility, No changes have been made in the 4 - Family Parkland: This popular possibly including a large dining hall, Plan for Innovation Place. part of Wascana Centre is currently is planned for a site west of Campion well-developed, and will be College. 9 - Wascana East: No change to the maintained in its current state. Small 2006 Plan. additions to the Science Centre In the long term, new future are being considered along with a buildings along the Wascana 10 - Wascana South: Future protected connection to an elevated Parkway and Lake frontages are development in this area will be lookout on the shoreline. organized to create open courts that organized according to extensions extend out to embrace the street of the prairie survey grid in the area. 5 - Conexus Arts Centre: This and the Lake respectively. A system of orthogonal streets and area continues to be seen as an windbreaks will create a flexible important cultural focus in Wascana The long term plan for First Nations structure, which can accommodate Centre. As before, new buildings University of Canada has not a broad range of institutional, could be developed over the existing changed from the 2014 Plan. In recreational and parkland uses as parking lots, but should be physically the medium term, the building will required. linked to the Conexus Arts Centre. be expanded to complete the inner The buildings are oriented and the site developed to create a single, formal frontage facing the lake.

6 - Douglas Park / Wascana Hill: The 2016 Plan includes a few modifications to this area. Wascana Drive has been returned to its existing alignment to protect the historic Sifton Farmstead, and to maintain the continuity of this important scenic route. The formal garden east of the Sifton Farmstead (known to some as “Beautyrest Park”) has been retained and should be upgraded. The amphitheatre proposed for the south side of Wascana Hill has been removed from the plan.

7 - Waterfowl Park: Waterfowl Park is identified in the 2016 Plan as a discrete Development Area, in order to highlight the specific management strategies necessary for its protection and interpretation.

8 - The University Precinct: Development of the University is Planning Areas expected to proceed at a modest pace. New residences are planned

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 6 Existing Buildings

Proposed Buildings

2016 Demonstration Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 7 WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 8 CHAPTER 1.0 WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY

This Section reviews the Wascana Centre Authority was park and a development area. The established by an Act of the Capital with the associated Wascana mandate of Wascana Provincial Legislature in 1962. It Lake and Park is classic; the most Centre Authority and was a bold and imaginative step, significant man-made landscape the nature of the Master a far-sighted collaboration of the in Saskatchewan, cherished by Province of Saskatchewan, the those who know and use it. The Plan Review process. City of Regina and the University of conservation and development of Saskatchewan (now the University Wascana Centre in all its parts is an of Regina), which established and outstanding example of Canadian supported an unusually rational prairie culture, entirely capable of system of development and being distinguished in the world as a maintenance for a large part of the place of significant built and natural City of Regina. The result is a unique quality. and wonderful place which is both a

Wascana Centre in the City of Regina

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 9 1.1 A Statutory Partnership of Public Land Owners

The Act stipulates that the owners of land in the Centre will act in partnership to develop it: the Government of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina, and the University of Regina. They are represented through the Wascana Centre Authority, a statutory corporation consisting of eleven directors - five appointed by the government, three by the city, and three by the university - whose mandate it is to implement The Act.

General Land Ownership

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 10 While most of the land remains research development opportunities, in the ownership of the various the improvement of recreational parties, some acquisitions have facilities and the conservation of the been made directly by the Authority. environment. The diagram on the previous page illustrates land ownership in a The Authority has legislated general and schematic way. responsibility for the installation and maintenance of landscapes, Land use within the Centre is also recreation and service facilities, defined by The Act. Development using a budget to which the can serve one or more of only participating parties contribute. The five purposes—the development work of the Authority is carried out by of the seat of government, the staff organized as shown in the chart advancement of the cultural arts, below. the enlargement of educational and

Wascana Centre Authority - Administrative Structure

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 11 1.2 A Master Plan for proceeds to the design stage. Staff 1.6 Planning Participation Coordinated Development can determine if the proposed This Plan update is the result of and Preservation improvement is of a minor nature, in which case, advice of the Architect the collaboration of the three The Act stipulates that development Planner can be omitted. participating parties (the Province should be in conformity with a of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina If it does not comply, the proposal Master Plan approved by Wascana and the University of Regina), other is abandoned or modified, or the Centre Authority. The purpose of the stakeholders, the Authority staff, Master Plan is amended to permit Plan is to coordinate the character, and the general public. It reflects the proposed project. The Architect location, access and landscape the thrust of the Authority’s Strategic Planner advises as to whether setting of facilities within Wascana Framework established through the proposed amendment is Centre. The Plan identifies those extensive consultation in 2005, significant enough to warrant public existing facilities and landscapes 2006 and 2012. consultation. that are to remain, and sets out At the outset of the review, the known development intentions for All complying proposals are reviewed participating parties, stakeholders future use. by Architectural and Engineering and public were invited to comment Advisory Committees at each phase The Plan also establishes the on the 2006 Plan and identify issues of design, and when appropriate also overall image and character of that should be addressed. With this by the Heritage Committee. the Centre, the pattern of building input a series of alternatives were footprints and movement systems, discussed with the partners and the The Landscape Advisor reviews all public, and this draft prepared for intentions for specific sub-areas, significant landscape proposals. maintenance strategies, priorities internal and public review, which after final input will be submitted for for implementation, and proposes 1.4 Revising the Master Plan approaches to planning issues approval by the Authority. which affect the Centre but which The Master Plan will change are beyond the Authority’s sole incrementally through sequential jurisdiction. amendments. In addition, it is formally reviewed and revised There is an occasional need for parts through public consultation every of the Centre to be the subject of seven years. At that time, completed a supporting master plan initiated projects and amendments made by the land owner in question. during the previous planning period Examples include the University are incorporated into the Plan, Campus (1961, 1972, 1998. 2001, unimplemented plan proposals are 2011, 2016), the Legislative Area reconsidered, and new ideas are (1975), Wascana East (1982) and added. The next Master Plan review the Regina Research Park (1998) will occur in 2023.

1.3 Implementing the Master 1.5 Planning Horizon Plan The site plan illustrated in this report All proposed projects, called is projected to a long range planning “improvements” in The Act, are horizon, in which planning principles tested against the provisions of the and development intentions are Master Plan. The process begins extended to a vision of the ideal with a proponent’s “Expression of “mature state”. In places where a Intent” to the Authority. In most land use intention is known, but not cases, it is forwarded to the Architect enough to illustrate a circulation and Planner for advice as to whether the built form framework, it is set aside proposal complies with the Master as a reserve, which may be put to Plan. If it does comply, the proposal interim use.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 12 CHAPTER 2.0 WASCANA LAKE

This section deals with planning for the various uses of Wascana Lake. The lake is the dominant element that establishes the physical structure of Wascana Centre. It is the physical focus of the area, it is a major recreational, scenic, and educational resource and it irrigates the unique landscape which does so much to define and set Wascana Centre apart from its urban and agricultural surroundings. While the lake unites the Centre in these ways, it divides the land area into components and acts as a barrier between uses on opposite shores, a barrier which the circulation system and landscape structure seek to overcome. The Lake is also the habitat and nesting ground for migratory birds, making Wascana Centre a privileged place to observe and learn about ecology and natural prairie systems.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 13 2.1 Wascana Creek relies on surface runoff for its supply of water, but because of the low Wascana Creek is a small stream topographic relief of the drainage which originates in poorly drained basin, high rates of evaporation land southeast of Regina and flows and loss of water through plant away from the City until it reverses transpiration, only a small fraction of direction at Tyvan. Fed by many the annual precipitation shows up in small tributaries, it meanders the Creek as runoff. Both the creek through flat agricultural land until it and lake therefore, rely on the spring enters the City of Regina, where it runoff for most of their water supply. is dammed at Albert Street to form Urban runoff has the greatest impact Wascana Lake. The dam was first on maintaining lake level during the constructed before 1900 and has post spring period. been rebuilt several times. The Creek

Wascana Creek - Drainage Basin

Flood Control During times of flood, the lake and Creek expand into a flood plain, which is regulated in two zones, as shown on the adjacent plan:

1. The Floodway designates the area of the main flood channel within which no structures or landforms may obstruct flood water flows.

2. The Floodway Fringe may be developed for some uses, but only under very strict control. Buildings, planting and other elements are permitted in this zone, but only with appropriate flood-proofing. The outer line of the Floodway Fringe coincides with the 1:500 floodline, to which there is a one in five-hundred probability of flooding to that elevation each year.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 14 Although much of Wascana Centre lies close to the lake, the relatively high elevation of the land west of the Trans-Canada Highway places few restrictions on development, except immediately adjacent to the shoreline where landscaping, docks, walkways and other structures must be designed to either accommodate or resist flooding.

Full Supply Level (FSL) - 570.56 1:500 Flood Level - 573.17 (Wascana Creek Flood Study: Qu'Appelle Basin Study Board, 1974)

Lake Floodway Floodway Fringe (1:500 Floodline)

Flood Plain Limits (Based on City of Regina Mapping, 2006)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 15 2.2 Irrigation demands. Water rationing required this are discussed in Section 4 during dry years can result in under 4.8, Landscape Character Adequate irrigation has become reduced irrigation and, consequently, and Management. They include a crucial factor in maintaining costly landscape degradation. limiting irrigation to strategic areas, the image of Wascana Centre as establishing water-conserving a verdant oasis in the prairie. At The withdrawal of lake water maintenance procedures and present, the more mature northern requires a permit from the designing landscapes which are parts of the Centre use lake water Saskatchewan Watershed Authority not overly water-dependent. While for irrigation while the southern (SWA). Permits have been issued for implementing these measures areas, including the University and areas which currently irrigate with will require adjustments to the Wascana East, use municipal water. lake water, but permits for additional traditional landscape images which areas have been denied. Now have shaped Wascana Centre, In years of normal precipitation, the that the lake has greater storage they will ultimately result in greater water supply in the lake is sufficient capacity, these authorizations for landscape diversity, more viable to meet the requirements of the irrigation should be revisited with wildlife habitats, and an expression major users—Wascana Centre SWA. for Wascana Centre which is more Authority, Wascana Country Club and in tune with the natural regional Riverside Memorial Cemetery. In The imperatives of sustainability ecology. years of low precipitation, however, point to a clear need to reduce, the supply of water has historically or at least not increase, the been inadequate to meet competing need to irrigate. Strategies for

Lake Water Irrigation Municipal Water Irrigation

Existing Irrigation Zones

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 16 2.3 Quantity and Quality of During the Big Dig in the winter of Water 2003-2004, the West Lake was deepened by about 5.5 metres. A In 1962 the lake held an estimated smaller area east of Spruce Island 1.7 billion litres of water, 1.5 billion was excavated even further to create litres in 1990, and 2.5 billion litres a winter refuge for fish. The addition after the Big Dig. of two new fountains, aerators, and a waterfall on the newly created Pine Algae growth, if permitted to Island now promotes the oxygenation proliferate, is the main cause of the water which supports the of reduced water quality. It is ecological process that controls controlled by an ecological chain. algae growth as described above. Zooplankton feed upon algae. The small minnows and sticklebacks Notwithstanding the recent Big Dig, traditionally supported by Wascana the lake’s capacity will gradually Lake feed on the zooplankton. As diminish because it is a natural the zooplankton numbers decrease, sediment trap. Historically, storage algae increase. However, if the capacity reduces by about 0.5% water is deep and aerated enough per year. If left unchecked, the to support natural predators of lake will first become a marsh and the small fish, they seek refuge in later a meadow; a process already shallow waters, which allows the advanced in its upper reaches. The Aeration Features on West Lake protected zooplankton in the deeper Big Dig postponed the urgency for waters to eat the algae, thus keeping dealing with the West Lake, but the the lake as whole cleaner. process continues to advance visibly in the East Lake. A task for the next The quantity of water in the lake Plan Review may be to determine is almost entirely dependent on which future the people of Regina the spring run-off in March and and Saskatchewan favour: the April. After that the creek supplies continued progress toward a marsh, very little water and the lake is fed or sustaining the lake through primarily by surrounding urban excavation. runoff.

Typical West Lake Shoreline Treatment (based on Wascana Lake Management Study, 1991)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 17 2.4 Recreational Use is logical, fits the natural conditions, The Wascana Racing Canoe Club and is a satisfactory balance and the Regina Rowing Club, for Year Round Use between the various interests in lake example, conducts a thriving set The primary human use of the use. of recreational and competitive lake both winter and summer is as programs. an adjacent focus for land based The West Lake is a scenic resource, recreation: picnicking, walking, a source of irrigation water and Wascana Lake’s size, central running, cycling and scenic driving. a place for water-based active location in the City, ease of access, It acts as a setting and destination recreation. supporting land based facilities such for these activities. As such, the as the marina, docks and landings, lake is a major asset of the city and The East Lake, east of the Broad and the shoreline landscape make province, both for its citizens and as Street Bridge, is a scenic resource, the lake ideal for both recreation and a tourist attraction. a (minimal) source of irrigation competitive canoeing activities. water and the central feature of the Active/Passive Lake Use Zones waterfowl conservation area. Use of The Big Dig set out to achieve the Use of the Lake is divided by the the East Lake for active water sports, following conditions, which should Broad Street Bridge. To the west, including canoeing, is discouraged. be monitored and maintained over the West Lake is an area for boating time: (excluding power boats) in summer. Summer On-the-Water Use To the east, the East Lake and entry The primary use of the water in • Aquatic weeds restricted to 1.5 of Wascana Creek is set aside for summer is for boating, particularly metres below the surface wildlife habitat. This arrangement kayaking, canoeing and rowing. • A 5.5 metre (18 ft) depth to the main race course • The lake bottom along the shoreline clear of debris, with high priority around docking, landing, high-use and high exposure areas. • Shoreline construction to ensure safe and easy access from the water to the shore for those recreational paddlers whose boats have tipped. These conditions, especially the added depth and support facilities on the shoreline, now support a strong adaptive Sailing Club and create an excellent venue for major rowing, canoeing and kayaking competitions which may put Regina on national and international circuits.

Primary Summer Lake Use Areas, West Lake

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 18 2.5 Wildlife Preservation and • A shoreline vegetation Educational Use management plan could be instituted to improve and Wildlife, and particularly water fowl, maintain wildlife habitat and use the lake extensively. While the footpaths for observation. lake provides habitat throughout its • Interpretive facilities could be course, it is particularly rich in the provided on and around the shallower areas. lake to reveal the lake’s role as a stopover habitat for migratory The Waterfowl Park not only provides birds. a safe habitat for wildlife; it is an educational resource for subjects • A winter ecology program could such as ecology, biology, and be established to interpret wildlife nature study. Various groups have adaptations to prairie winter, suggested that: dealing particularly with the role of the marsh in over-wintering.

Waterfowl Park Designated Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Waterfowl Park and Migratory Bird Sanctuary

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 19 2.6 Land-Based Support with its water aeration cascade and the lake edge. The East Lake is Facilities boat race finish line facility is on the fringed on the south and east shores old Broad Street Bridge abutment. with marsh habitat for waterfowl. West Lake An over-wintering structure for A trail system encircles the West East Lake otherwise migratory species is also Lake, with a new pedestrian bridge The proposed trail system located here. at Albert Street and another at encircles the East Lake, with two Broad Street. A lakeside promenade interpretive crossings of the lake South of Wascana Hill, the access and overlook are located on the and associated natural areas: to the Native Habitat Area continues northern shore. Small docks are one between the Science Centre to be restricted with a trail made of located below the Willow Island and Waterfowl Display Zone over natural materials. Within or adjacent overlook. The Trafalgar Overlook, on a small intermediate Island, the to the fenced Native Habitat Area the east shore, is on the opposite other between the University and an out-door classroom will be axis to the Legislative dome and Douglas Park. Two existing overlook established to provide a venue for has a protected pool beneath it. structures are located on the environmental education groups to The racing canoe club boathouse, north and east shores. A waterfowl meet. marina and marina restaurant are interpretation information centre is located nearby. The plan proposes proposed near the Science Centre, the development of a multiuse, with interpretation trails judiciously lake-oriented, recreational and located within the waterfowl park commercial facility labeled “The zone. The east shore overlook/ Pier” in this vicinity. pumphouse has the potential for a future “dipping dock”. Another overlook is at the south shore. The newly created Pine Island The waterfowl display area is on the south shore, as well as a trail along

Land-Based Support Facilities

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 20 CHAPTER 3.0 PLANNING PRINCIPLES

This section discusses development issues concerning Wascana Centre as a whole, including mature and developing areas, land uses, development character, heritage preservation, landscape management, circulation and height limits.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 21 Principle 1: Main Components of the Centre

The five purposes of Wascana Centre codified inThe Act are “the development of the seat of government, the advancement of the cultural arts, the enlargement of educational and research opportunities, the improvement of recreational opportunities, and the conservation of the environment. Places which fulfill these purposes, together with places for the Centre’s own operations and a few remaining non-conforming uses are distributed throughout the Centre, as shown right and keyed to the list below:

Development of the Seat of Government Improvement of Recreational Opportunities

1. Saskatchewan Legislative Grounds 16. Wascana Lake Advancement of the Cultural Arts 17. Wascana Park 18. Lakeshore Park 2. Royal Saskatchewan Museum 19. Family Parkland / Candy Cane Play Area 3. Performing Arts Centre (Conexus Art Centre) 20. Douglas Park 4. Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios 21. The Marina 5. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 22. Community Gardens 6. Darke Hall and Conservatory Conservation of the Environment 7. MacKenzie Art Gallery Enlargement of Educational and Research 23. Waterfowl Park Opportunities Operation of the Centre

8. U of R College Avenue Campus 24. Wascana Place 9. U of R Main Campus 25. Nursery 10. First Nations University of Canada 26. Work Depots 11. Innovation Place Non-conforming Use 12. U of R Future Campus 27. Queen Building (DND) 13. Saskatchewan Polytechnic 28. Wascana Rehabilitation Centre 14. Saskatchewan Science Centre / Imax Theatre 15. CNIB

In the 2016 Plan, Wascana South is identified as a place that will be developed to accommodate a full range of required Wascana uses. These could include any or all of the five Wascana purposes: government, education and research, recreation, or conservation of the environment. Development of Wascana South is described in the section on Demonstration Plan.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 22 2 6 8 4 26 5 17 15

16 27 19 26 14 1 24

21 26 20 3 18 26 23 25 7 28 26

10 9

26

11

12

22 13

Main Components of the Centre (2005 aerial images in the Plan are courtesy of Space Imaging/Digital Environmental, Saskatoon, SK)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 23 Principle 2: Land Use Pattern

The distribution of uses across the Centre has been shaped by the combined influence of the lake dividing the land and the ownership pattern, much of which predates the establishment of Wascana Centre.

The Centre now represents a dynamic balance among these uses in which each enjoy its own integrity and intrinsic value, but are also mutually supportive and complementary. To remove the public institutions from the Centre would be to rob the parks of much of their life and vitality; to submerge the parks in too much development would be to lose vital resources and degrade the image of institutions set in generous and well developed Athletic Facilities landscapes.

The Land Use Pattern diagram opposite identifies the various land uses which make up Wascana Centre. There is no particular hierarchy among them: each land use is important, and no single use is dominant.

1. Institutional development includes buildings developed for academic, research, cultural or governmental uses as well as the roadways, parking lots and landscapes directly associated with them.

2. Athletic facilities include playing fields and running tracks, and the associated roads, parking lots, grandstands and other support facilities. Passive Recreation

3. Passive Recreation areas include a variety of landscapes with shade trees, lawns, roadways, parking lots and walkways, used for a wide range of casual park-based activities.

4. Special Features, usually recreational or educational in purpose, are distributed across the Centre and include the bandstand, arboretum, the pier, commemorations and public art, and others.

5. Research/Viewing areas include Waterfowl Park, where active use by people is intentionally limited, and the Waterfowl Display Ponds.

6. Authority Management areas accommodate uses necessary for the Public Art administration and maintenance of Wascana Centre.

• Picnic Areas and Playgrounds accommodate specific recreational activities and are usually associated with athletic facilities or passive park areas.

Picnic Areas and Playgrounds

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 24 Land Use Pattern

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 25 Principle 3: Mature and Developing Areas

Under development for well over 100 years, Wascana Centre is approaching a state of maturity. Whereas early Master Plans were concerned with directing new institutional and landscape development, recent Plans have begun to place greater emphasis on confirming and protecting valuable assets that currently exist. The 2016 Plan confirms this direction.

Mature Areas careful insertions and modifications Large parts of Wascana Centre that protect existing assets while can be said to be “mature” in meeting new needs and priorities. that buildings, infrastructure and landscapes are established and Developing Areas have a clear function and identity. Significant parts of Wascana Centre, Major changes in these areas would particularly to the east and south, likely be expensive, and might result remain largely undeveloped. These in significant changes to existing include parts of the University of use and character. That being Regina, most of Wascana East said, no part of Wascana Centre and all of Wascana South. The is static: landscapes will continue Master Plan predicts that these to evolve, and institutions will be areas will eventually be required to adjusted and updated on a regular accommodate institutions, parks basis. In the mature areas, however, and other uses when specific future landscape and institutional programs have been established. development should be limited to

Mature Landscapes in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 26 Developing Area

Mature Area

Mature and Developing Areas

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 27 Principle 4: Landscape approach to landscape design in the Character 20th Century.

The landscape character of the The first design for Wascana Park Centre today reflects an amalgam was developed by Fredrick Todd of the fluid shape of the lake and in 1907. One of Canada’s most the orthogonal geometry of the rural influential landscape architects, survey system and the adjacent city Fredrick Todd completed important structure. Time has reconciled these projects in many cities across the contrasting geometries to create country, including Regina. Although an environment which is rich and not implemented exactly as drawn, diverse, and which is distinguished his concept for a romantic landscape by pastoral, park-like qualities within ideal underlies much of what we now a prairie setting. These landscapes see at the Centre. define Wascana Centre and are Wascana Centre includes a more cherished by all who visit the Centre. formal landscape overlay that was The Romantic Landscape contributed by Thomas Mawson in The character of the mature 1913. A famous English landscape Wascana landscapes has its roots architect at the time, Mawson was in the picturesque landscape style known for garden designs that were that emerged in England during strongly influenced by the Beaux Arts the 17th and 18th Centuries. With movement. Mawson’s contribution its emphasis on “naturalistic” to Wascana Centre is most clearly forms and geometries, this style visible in the formal landscapes has become the most prevalent around the Legislative Building. Thomas Mawson Plan, 1913

Fredrick Todd Plan, 1907

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 28 Extent of the “Romantic” Landscape in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 29 The Prairie Landscape a prairie slough set in a vastness of The cultural dimension of the prairie Wascana Centre is very much a open grassland and cultivated fields. place is also evident in and around prairie place. Wascana Centre grew Before any trees were planted, the Wascana Centre. Most notable is from the prairie and will always Legislative Building dominated the the highly visible pattern of roads be defined by the topography, horizon like a prairie elevator. Other and shelterbelts, which was laid out vegetation, climate and culture photos taken only a few years later starting in 1871 with the Dominion that identify the prairie. While the show Wascana Park shortly after Land Survey System. This original Romantic landscapes of Wascana thousands of sapling trees had been survey system governed the layout Centre should be cherished and planted. and structure of many prairie towns protected, new landscape design and cities, including Regina. Except should seek to express and Today, the prairie is still clearly where interrupted by the fluid celebrate Wascana’s unique prairie evident at Wascana Centre. The wide geometry of the Lake, the survey roots and setting. open spaces of Wascana East, the grid formed the basis for the layout marshes and wetlands along the of buildings, roads, sports fields Photographs from the early 20th upper reaches of Wascana Creek and many landscapes throughout Century clearly show Wascana and the remnant prairie grasslands Wascana Centre. Centre’s prairie roots. At that time, at Douglas Park are all key features Wascana Lake was little more than of the natural prairie landscape.

The Rigorous Geometry of the Prairie Survey System The Survey System Laid over the Natural Landscape (Google Maps)

Remnants of the Native Prairie in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 30 Prairie Landscape

View Axis

Landscape Design that Embraces the Prairie Landscape Vernacular

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 31 Principle 5: Landscape The approach consists of two Management parts: 1) establish priorities for the continuing maintenance of existing, Like most other major institutions maturing landscapes, and 2) develop in the country, the Wascana a distinctly prairie approach to the landscapes have been managed design and maintenance of new according to well-established landscapes. practices that are now being challenged both environmentally and Maintenance Regimes economically. The extensive use of The accompanying diagram chemicals, exotic plant species and illustrates a strategy for prioritized artificial irrigation are proving to be landscape management: both deleterious to the environment Maximum: Areas receiving the and financially unsupportable. highest attention have visual In parallel with the broader prominence or demanding functional recognition of these practical requirements. They include the concerns, there is a growing public entrances and immediate settings Maximum Maintenance appreciation for the aesthetic of major institutions, key edges attributes of natural or naturalized along city streets and sports environments. At one time thought of fields. Maintenance strategies as messy and unkempt, naturalized include regular lawn mowing, soil landscapes are increasingly being tilling, plant pruning, irrigation and seen as appropriate expressions of fertilizing. a more responsible and sustainable Medium: Landscapes in this approach to landscape stewardship. category include parking lots, At the same time, the Romantic picnic areas, pastoral parkland, landscapes of Wascana Centre buffers and windbreaks. Strategies are much-loved by users, and include reduced lawn mowing, turf form an essential dimension of substitutes, minimal irrigation and the Wascana image and identity. fertilizing and use of drought-tolerant Although expensive to maintain, plants. these landscapes should largely be Minimum: These are new and retained and supported. existing landscapes that should be The 2016 Master Plan promotes developed as self-sustaining (or Medium Maintenance a maintenance and management nearly) prairie landscapes. They regime that will provide a best include the marsh habitats, which balance between the preservation require virtually no maintenance, of valuable landscapes and the and relatively extensive open continuing stewardship of the Centre grasslands. Where appropriate in a sustainable manner. Emphasis to site uses, this should include should be placed on developing cultivated grasses and wildflowers landscapes self-sufficient, energy- similar to and combined with efficient, and less dependent upon available species of the remnant artificial irrigation. Exotic species native grasslands existing along the will need to give way to more native, upper reaches of Wascana Creek. hardy species; lush green lawns will Moving towards a new landscape need to give way to more diverse approach will require the disciplined fields of forbes and native grasses. application of new strategies, many of which are already in limited use.

Minimum Maintenance

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 32 High

Medium

Low

Maintenance Regimes in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 33 Irrigation Strategies for Naturalization, Intensive irrigation has been a Water­ Conservation and Reduced­ crucial factor in maintaining the Mainte­ ­nance image of Wascana Centre as a verdant oasis in the prairie. At present, the more mature northern Design and Maintenance Strat­ parts of the Centre use lake water e­gies: for irrigation while the southern areas, including the University and • select drought-toler­ ant­ and fer­ Wascana East, use municipal water. til­iz­er-free plant species­ • adjust mowing frequency to In years of normal precipitation, match usage and prominence the water supply in the lake has usually been sufficient to meet • replace turf with native grass­ the requirements of the major es and other groundcovers, users—Wascana Centre Authority, where appro­ pri­ ­ate Wascana Country Club and Riverside • employ more efficient irri­ ­ga­tion Memorial Cemetery. In years of technology low precipitation, however, the • continue to capture supply of water has historically been stormwater rather­ than piping inadequate to meet competing it away demands. The withdrawal of lake water requires a permit from the • encourage snow drifting on Saskatchewan Watershed Authority plant­ed areas (SWA). Permits have been issued for • design to suit existing site and areas which currently irrigate with mi­cro-climate conditions lake water, but permits for additional • allow interfaces between areas have been denied. landscape­ types to estab­ ­lish themselves­ Regardless of where the water comes from, artificial irrigation • establish grove plantings to must be reduced. It is now well- reduce­ evapo­ ­ration,­ capture understood that the Prairies and snow and increase habitat southwestern Saskatchewan in di­ver­si­ty particular will become much drier in the decades to come. Natural water sources like Wascana Creek will become much more limited, and water for municipal purposes will become more expensive to provide. The long term availability of Wascana Lake as a viable recreational amenity will depend to a large extent upon the transition away from landscapes that are dependent upon intensive irrigation.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 34 Lake Water Irrigation

Municipal Water Irrigation

Existing Irrigation Zones in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 35 Principle 6: Understorey that public safety and comfort are can be created at strategic locations Management best served when people have clear to provide glimpses of the Lake and site lines, can see other people, and landscapes. While the maturing state of the feel that they (and others around Wascana landscapes is certainly them) are under casual surveillance. Windows to the Lake a good thing, it does present a few The lake is the focus of the Centre, challenges. The rapidly developing The extensive understorey is also and should be visible from numbers and maturing understorey, in beginning to close down important of vantage points. In areas where the particular, should be managed to views into and through the shoreline understorey has blocked achieve a number of objectives. Centre. These views are important views of the lake, periodic “windows” for establishing connections can be created. On the positive side, the understorey between Wascana Centre and provides excellent wildlife habitat, the neighbourhoods around it, View Corridors increasing the diversity of birds and for revealing the structure and Parts of Wascana Centre, most small animals in Wascana Centre. organization of the Centre, and notably the Legislative Precinct, are The understorey also provides for viewing the lake, which is the organized about axes that provide effective shelter from winter winds, Centre’s focus. long and unobstructed views. These which helps make the Centre a year- corridors should be kept open to round recreational destination. Maintaining or improving important reveal these unique features of views will consider the following: Wascana Centre. On a less positive note, the extensive understorey creates enclosed Windows to the Centre spaces and corridors that people Views into Wascana Centre from may find intimidating. The principles important City streets should be of Crime Prevention Through maintained through selective Environmental Design (CPTED) hold removal of the understorey. Rather than wholesale removal, “windows”

Windows to the Centre - General Locations Existing Window to the Centre - Wascana Parkway

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 36 Windows to the Lake - General Locations Existing Window to the Lake - Lakeshore Park

Existing View Corridors View Corridor - Legislative Grounds

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 37 Principle 7: Building Pattern Douglas Building, and the Terrace Within this broad organization, there in Innovation Place. These buildings are Pavilion Buildings and Urban The predominant building pattern are at odds with the predominant Settings: west of the Trans-Canada Highway building pattern in the Centre. When conforms with the orthogonal additions are required to these Pavilion Buildings are standalone grid of the city’s street pattern, buildings, the design should attempt structures like the Legislative which in turn reflects the original to reconcile the built form with the Building or the Royal Saskatchewan Saskatchewan land survey system. orthogonal grid. Museum. Set in expansive This building pattern reinforces landscapes, these buildings connections between Wascana Although generally oriented on a reinforce the extent and importance Centre and the City, and expresses north-south axis, the circular form of open space at the Centre. historical property and land use of the First Nations University is an patterns. Except as noted below, anomaly in Wascana Centre. The Urban Settings include compact new buildings in these areas should addition of buildings with circular groups of buildings, like the continue this pattern. form, other than to the First Nations University of Regina. These building University, should be discouraged. groupings create defined corridors In three locations west of the and open spaces between the highway, buildings have been The pattern of development east of buildings, but evoke images of constructed at 45 degrees to the highway and the south section of compact prairie towns set in an the orthogonal grid: the Royal the Research Park responds to the expansive landscape setting. Saskatchewan Museum, the T.C. highway and parkway alignment.

Standalone Pavilion Buildings - Provincial Legislative Building

Compact Building Groupings in the Landscape - University of Regina

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 38 Built Form Patterns in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 39 Principle 8: Heritage modified, influenced or given special Heritage Asset Management cultural meaning by people and that In addition to the emerging historic In addition to defining what should has been formally recognized for its value of Wascana Centre as an be replaced or newly built, the heritage value.” entity, there exist heritage buildings, Master Plan defines what should structures and landscapes that have be preserved. There are now many Wascana Centre as a whole arguably already been formally designated. buildings, landscapes and other complies with that definition. There are also many others that features that warrant protection by Wascana Centre (“Pile of Bones”) may well have heritage value. These virtue of their age and historical enjoys strong historical and should be identified and examined, associations. Protection of these associative values that extend back and, if warranted, protected. elements enriches the experience beyond the first European settlers of users today and safeguards to founding aboriginal practices The first step is to undertake an important legacy for future and traditions. Created in the detailed inventories of all potential generations. 1880’s as a source of water for the resources. Without that knowledge railways, Wascana Lake has strong base, informed decisions cannot A Cultural Heritage Landscape associations with the founding be made. The second step is to Wascana Centre as an entity is an and early development of Regina. implement and maintain effective important heritage resource that Important Wascana landscapes were protocols for managing and should be cherished and protected. designed by pre-eminent landscape protecting identified resources.The While there are buildings and architects, and are representative Act sets out mechanisms for this, landscapes with heritage merit, the of historic approaches to landscape which should be put into place. whole of Wascana Centre can be design; Wascana Centre is valued considered as a Cultural Heritage by all people in Regina and most of The following discussion of potential Landscape. The Standards and Saskatchewan as a special place heritage resources is intended to Guidelines for the Conservation of that offers a broad range of scenic, stimulate thought and discussion. Historic Places in Canada defines a recreational, cultural, political, It is by no means put forward as a cultural heritage landscape as “any educational and conservation comprehensive or definitive heritage geographical area that has been opportunities. assessment.

Wascana Park, ca 1910

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 40 Plan for the City of Regina - Mawson, 1912

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 41 Heritage Buildings and Structures • Canada Saskatchewan Production • Classroom Building (U of R) Three Wascana structures have Studio • Dr. John Archer Library (U of R) been assigned formal heritage • Legislative Power House status. The most important of these, • Speakers’ Corner the Legislative Building, was built • Wascana Park Bandstand • Queen Building (“Recognized” between 1908 and 1912 and is now • Laboratory Building (U of R) Federal Heritage Building) a fully designated National Historic Site. The Albert Memorial Bridge, built in 1930, was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property under The Provincial Heritage Property Act. The 1914 SaskPower Regina Powerhouse was recognized by the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering as an Historic Civil Engineering Site in 2015.

A number of other buildings and structures at Wascana should be identified for further investigation and possible designation in the near future.

• Royal Saskatchewan Museum • Darke Hall • The Conservatory • College Building College Building, 1912

Provincial Legislative Building - 1912

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 42 Designated Buildings and Structures

Structures of Interest

Structures with Designated or Potential Heritage Value

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 43 Heritage Landscapes Heritage Administration Within Wascana Centre, a number The Authority’s Bylaw 21 stipulates of landscapes have special that the demolition or removal of heritage value that derives from any structure that is “approved” (by the prominence of their designers being shown in the Master Plan) and their importance in the history requires a demolition permit which of Canadian landscape design. will be issued by the Authority only if Recognizing its pre-eminent design stringent conditions are met. and historical value, the Legislative Grounds, along with the Legislative Bylaw 22 deals specifically with Building, have been designated as a heritage properties and sets Royal Saskatchewan Museum Forecourt National Historic Site. out procedures for designation and demolition that are closely Other landscapes, by virtue of coordinated with The Provincial their age and historical value, are Heritage Property Act. While the identified in this Plan as potential Authority holds the right to approve sites that should be subject to designation and demolition, further heritage evaluation. Perhaps its decisions must be made in the most important of these is the context of advice from the Wascana Park, which is over 100 WCA Heritage Property Advisory years old and continues to play an Committee and comments from important role in the daily lives of public interest groups. To assist the South Mall, Legislative Grounds those who live in or visit Regina. Authority and to make explicit the Others include: Centre’s intentions, buildings and structures with perceived heritage • Wascana Lake value are formally identified and • Royal Saskatchewan Museum compiled in a comprehensive Forecourt inventory. Buildings and landscapes captured by the inventory will be • Wascana Park subject to in-depth review by the • South Mall, Legislative Grounds Authority and its advisory committee • Kramer Residence Grounds if removal, redevelopment or alterations are contemplated. • Old Broad Street Right-of-way • Old Broad Street Nursery • Sifton Farmstead

• Beautyrest Park Old Broad Street Nursery

Sifton Farmstead and Beautyrest Park in Douglas Park

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 44 Designated Landscape

Landscapes of Interest

Landscapes with Designated or Potential Heritage Value

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 45 Principle 9: Roads Through the Trans-Canada Highway. It is Albert Street skirts the Centre, Wascana a major arterial roadway carrying and is another important entry road a high volume of traffic, it is also to the city centre. The emphasis of A series of public roads pass through an important scenic entry drive. ongoing development on this street or immediately adjacent to Wascana Landscaping and buildings can be should be to reinforce what already Centre. These roads provide brought closer to this road, and exists—the boulevard planting, the motorists with a unique, overview tree species should be selected character of adjacent parkland, and perspective of Wascana Centre. to provide a sequence of strong the historic Albert Memorial Bridge. They are also significant arteries that colours—flowering trees and shrubs facilitate movement through and in spring, bright foliage in summer The east side of the road takes on around Regina, and serve to connect and autumn, and branch colour and the character of Wascana Centre. Wascana Centre with the City. texture in winter. At the south end, an evergreen tree belt with dense foliage effectively Trans-Canada Highway: Wascana Throughout its length, the Parkway’s screens the large parking areas Centre is a key element in the broad sweeping scale is reinforced behind. approach to Regina and contributes by large scale planting and building to a favourable first impression of masses which, when seen against Further north, deciduous trees with the city. The Centre’s main role the open lake and grassed areas, high canopies frame the street while in relation to this highway is to form a complex sequence of open permitting views through to the provide an open and scenic setting. and closed spaces. The roadway Legislative Building and Grounds. Buildings are accordingly set back changes in character near Wascana The overhead tree canopy continues so that the foreground, as seen Place, from a parkway of sweeping north of the Bridge to permit similar from the highway, consists of tree curves landscaped on both sides, views into Wascana Park. On the groupings, lake, open plain, meadow to a straight urban avenue aligned west side of the street, boulevard or playing fields. with the City grid and flanked by planting complements and reflects buildings. This change of character the regular pattern of streets and Wascana Parkway/Broad is acknowledged by the shift to buildings beyond. This planting Street is a major entrance into regularly spaced boulevard tree pattern should be reinforced in the downtown and has a more intimate planting. course of normal maintenance and relationship to the Centre than does replanting.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 46 ALBERT STREET

WASCANA PARKWAY

TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY

Major Through Routes

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 47 Principle 10: Scenic Drives At certain times, however, Wascana be reduced. The diagram opposite Centre is a very busy place. illustrates an extreme case where The scenic drives provide a special Motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, vehicular access to the Centre is recreational opportunity for joggers, rollerbladers all flock to the reduced to the minimum. In this residents and visitors to Regina, Centre and compete for space on case, relatively large segments of especially for those who might limited roads and pathways. This the existing road network could not otherwise be able to enjoy the causes congestion and conflicts be reassigned to cyclists, thereby Centre. The designs should be: among users that can be unpleasant eliminating conflicts between cyclists and potentially hazardous. Areas and vehicles, and reducing conflicts • Attractive, taking advantage of where this occurs include locations between cyclists and pedestrians. the best views and most beautiful along Wascana Drive and Lakeshore areas, and accessible to as many Drive. Both of these roads are Because there are many times of people as possible; located close to the shoreline, which the day or year when traffic is light, • Uncongested, designed to is a natural destination for almost this strategy could be implemented discourage use by commuter everybody, and in parts of Wascana either in part or on a temporary traffic; Centre that are highly developed and basis as required. This is an effective see heavy use. and economical strategy that is • Continuous, to prolong the employed in many cities across recreational driving experience. It should be a basic principle that North America. Temporary closures In Wascana Centre, all roads are where there are conflicts, preference also allow different options to be ‘scenic’ in that they offer excellent should be given to pedestrians, tested and refined over time. From views of attractive landscapes cyclists and others over motorized time to time, Wascana Centre and well-designed institutional vehicles. currently closes specific roads developments. Therefore, while for special events involving large designated ‘scenic routes’ should With this in mind, conflicts could numbers of people. Consideration receive particular attention to be reduced by making some or all should be given to employing this enhance their special purpose, of the scenic drives discontinuous. strategy on a more regular basis. all roads in the Centre should be Access would be provided to all designed to maximize their scenic primary destinations, but the ability and aesthetic qualities. to travel through the Centre would

Scenic Lakeshore Drive

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 48 Scenic Drive within Wascana Centre

Scenic Drives in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 49 Principle 11: Parking inexpensive surface parking. The Institutions: The Partners will University has met this challenge continue to provide parking needed While many people walk or ride to by providing some underground at the institutions. In general, Wascana Centre, most arrive by parking beneath new buildings. This new development will include vehicle and expect to park within strategy is land-efficient and popular underground or structured parking. a reasonable distance of their with users, but comes with a cost destinations. All of the destinations premium. Douglas Park: The City has recently in Wascana Centre - institutional, expanded the main parking lot to cultural and recreational - have People report that there is not accommodate increased demand. requirements for parking. enough parking available in the For major events, temporary parking passive parkland areas of Wascana lots should be established on The diagram opposite graphically Centre. On busy weekend days parkland not required for the event. illustrates the current parking during nice weather, people flock For safety reasons, parking on local inventory. Most of the existing to the Centre to enjoy the full array roads should be discouraged. parking is accommodated in of recreational opportunities that surface parking lots; there are six are available, and have difficulty Family Parkland: Wascana underground facilities (all beneath finding a place to park. When there Centre should assess demand buildings) at SaskPoly, the University are major events such as regattas and add parking if justified. of Regina Main Campus and at the or marathons, the problem is even Preference should be given to the south end of the Legislative Precinct. greater. During off-hours, most of development of small, dispersed The greatest concentrations of the institutional parking lots are parking lots rather than large central parking are associated with the available for public use, but they lots. Temporary parking lots on primary institutions (Provincial are too often remote from preferred parkland should be employed to Legislature, Rehabilitation Centre, destinations. accommodate large events. Conexus Arts Centre, the University and SaskPoly) clearly reflecting the In general, and in the parkland areas Parking Lot Design: Surface large numbers of people for whom of Wascana Centre in particular, parking lots should be visually these places are destinations. Minor the provision of more parking is in discreet and sustainable. Tree and lots are distributed throughout conflict with the desire to maintain understorey plantings should be Wascana Centre at the smaller and enhance the pastoral ambiance used to screen and shade parking institutions and at sports and of the environment. Large parking lots, keeping due regard for visibility recreation facilities. lots can compromise the very assets and safety. Consideration should be that people are seeking. given to using topographic relief to The provision of parking is shared assist in screening the facility. Storm by the Province, City, University and Moving forward, the 2016 water should be captured and/ Wascana Centre Authority. Each Master Plan offers the following or guided to locations where it can participating party is responsible for recommendations: support local landscapes. the provision of their own parking. Wascana Centre Authority provides and manages parking lots in Family Parkland and other passive recreation areas.

The demand for more parking is almost universal.

Since existing surface parking lots are typically attractive development sites, the tension between institutional expansion and parking supply is high. This is an ongoing issue at the University of Regina where the ambition to create a compact campus competes with the desire for convenient and Screened and Shaded Parking Lot

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 50 Surface Parking

Underground Parking

Existing Parking Lots

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 51 Principle 12: The Trail System Centre, either permanently or on a temporary basis as discussed Wascana Centre enjoys a well- above. developed trail system that Development accommodates casual sight- seeing, provides access to all major • Implement minimum widths for destinations and connects the shared trails (3.0 m); Centre with adjacent communities. • Implement a variety of route types The trails are used by a broad – low-impact dirt trails, asphalt range of people who enjoy strolling, multi-purpose trails, shared jogging, cross-country skiing, roadways; bicycling, and rollerblading. • Modify the roadway design to Previous Master Plans have reduce vehicle speeds and advocated the development of a trail encourage sharing (“park” roads network with continuous, car-free rather than “city” roads); loops around both the West and • Develop a lake link between the East Lakes. These trails are well Science Centre and the Waterfowl underway. Major sections yet to be Viewing Ponds; fully implemented are indicated on the map opposite. • Complete the system along Wascana Drive by adding links As previously discussed, however, between Broad Street and the the very success of the trail system Marina entrance, from Wascana leads to conflicts between users. Pool just past the Willow Island The solutions to this are elusive parking lot, and from Skateboard at best. Providing designated Park to the Trans-Canada surfaces for different user groups overpass. (cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles) would not likely be feasible at Wascana Centre, because most conflicts occur in busy shoreline areas where there is insufficient space for expansion. Moreover, the complex route patterns that would be created would include numerous intersections between routes that might themselves be potentially hazardous. Finally, the visual impact of so much paving would degrade the quality of the Centre’s landscapes.

Nevertheless, improvements to the trail system can be made that will increase opportunities and reduce conflicts between users. These involve both management and design strategies.

Management

• Reduce vehicle speed limits; • Limit vehicle access through the

Trails in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 52 Existing Trails

New Trails

Multi-Use Trail System in Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 53 Principle 13: Information Public Notice Kiosks are provided at focused on ecological and Systems strategic locations throughout the environmental matters was noted Centre. They are designed to permit as a priority in Wascana Centre’s Effective information help users find notices and posters to be mounted 2006 Strategic Planning Framework. places in the Centre and encourage by the users themselves. Interpretative programming, an understanding of its goals and including signage, guided and self- principles. A graphically coordinated Signage identifies individual roads, guided tours, and integration with signage/wayfinding system featuring facilities, features and places. The the formal education systems are all the aspen leaf will present a design of these numerous and significant priorities for the Centre. coherent and memorable image of frequently encountered elements Interpretative signage should be Wascana Centre. should be coordinated and related installed throughout Wascana to identifiable Wascana Centre Centre. Good examples include The Plan promotes a broad range of graphic design themes. In order to installations at the Albert Street information at all locations where pass information to an increasingly Promenade in 2005 and the Queen arrival and gathering frequently fast-moving public in a dignified way, Elizabeth II Gardens in 2012. occurs. the Authority may need to develop alternative modes of communicate Gateway structures should mark Wascana Place is a prime source to replace traditional static signs. important entrances to the Centre. of information for residents and They may consist of architectural tourists. The facility is staffed year- Interpretative information is crucial and/or planted features, usually round and provides maps, brochures for increasing awareness of the paired and with sufficient vertical and information about the Centre’s historical and ecological character dimension to be noticeable to drivers past and current planning intentions. of Wascana Centre. Historical as they enter and leave the Centre. interpretation could deal with the Major Facilities such as the whole history of the land, culture All signage at Wascana Centre Provincial Legislative Building, and social conditions from aboriginal should support the graphic branding Royal Saskatchewan Museum and times, through early settlement such of the Centre. All signs will include the Saskatchewan Science Centre as the farm remnants and early the Aspen leaf logo, and will follow provide information about their government, and on to the origins established guidelines for fonts, specific features and activities. of Wascana Centre and more recent colours and materials. Signs that do They should also provide general evidence of the Big Dig. not comply will be removed. information on other facilities and on the Centre as a whole. Interpretative education, particularly

The Wascana Centre Brand

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 54 Primary Information Source Institutions Public Notice Kiosks

University Directories Interpretation Opportunities Gateway Structures

A Coordinated System for Wayfinding and Interpretation

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 55 Principle 14: offer an additional layer of meaning Committee is asked to review and Commemoration and Public to the environment, provide delight comment. Art and enjoyment, and sometimes challenge our normal perceptions New commemorations and public art installations should be Wascana Centre is an important and understanding. As physical installed in locations where they venue for commemorations and elements in the environment, good will be visible, and where their public art because of its visibility, installations can also contribute subjects will resonate with and prestige and inherent beauty. There to the quality of the public realm. draw from their surroundings. are now a number of significant They can mark important locations, New installations should also commemorative and public art define open spaces, terminate view make a positive contribution to installations throughout the Centre. corridors, or serve as landmarks. the quality and spatial clarity of Many are located in the established When requests to install their surroundings. Care should be parts of the Centre around the West commemorations are received by the taken to match installations with Lake. The Legislative Precinct is Centre, a conversation is initiated their site and surroundings. Since particularly sought after as a venue to confirm the overall suitability and commemorations and public art for commemorations and public to review potential alternative sites. pieces are generally considered art because of its heritage and Site selection is followed by design permanent, important sites should character, and its important social, and installation. Each step of the be reserved for installations of cultural and political associations as process is monitored by Wascana commensurate importance. the provincial seat of government. Staff. For more important or complex Commemorations and public art installations, the Architect-Planner are important for Wascana. They and the Architectural Advisory

Saskatchewan War Memorial

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 56 Legislative Precint

Commemoration Park

Public Art

Existing Commemoration

Potential Sites

A Broad-Based Commemoration Program for Wascana Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 57 Legislative Precinct Commemoration Park

The Authority prepared a There is benefit in creating clusters Commemoration Policy in June of public art and commemorations 2002 to provide guidance for the that share something with each placement of new monuments other whether it is scale, meaning, and memorials in the Legislative subject or materials. Like a Precinct. The subjects of sculpture garden, these clusters commemorations in this area should of installations establish their own be in keeping with the meaning identity and become a destination in and symbolic importance of the their own right. Precinct as the seat of the provincial government. Appropriate subjects The mature landscapes along the for the Legislative Grounds include shoreline south of the Legislative former Premiers and Lieutenant Precinct should continue to be Governors. developed as a Commemoration Park. The existing commemorations The diagram opposite serves as a in this location benefit from guide to placing monuments and association with each other and to the capacity of the site for the from the beautiful, well-treed foreseeable future. Development setting. New commemorations of the recommended sites will could be developed in this area. contribute to the quality of the Care should be taken to provide Legislative Precinct by articulating sufficient “breathing room” for each and clarifying the structure of installation to prevent crowding. the landscapes. Well-designed commemorations on these sites will be powerful emblems because they have adequate space around them, and because they share in the inherent potency of the Precinct. More would be too much.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 58 Existing Commemorations

Possible New Locations

Legislative Grounds (Above); Proposed Commemoration Park (Below)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 59 Principle 15: Building In order to reinforce this Heights powerful image, building heights within the Centre north of the The maturing tree cover throughout University campus should not much of Wascana Centre has exceed 13.0 metres. Proponents established a very positive wishing to exceed this limit are relationship between built form required to develop a detailed and landscape. From most vantage visual assessment that clearly points within the western parts of demonstrates that the prevailing Wascana Centre, and from many Wascana image will not be impacted. outside the Centre, the skyline is dominated by trees and other An equally pressing threat to the vegetation rather than by buildings. bucolic Wascana image is presented The image created by this condition by private development adjacent to confirms the basic objective of the Centre, as is demonstrated by institutions set within a verdant the visual intrusion of the tower of landscape setting. One appropriate Roberts Plaza. These intrusions into exception is the tower of Legislative the view shed from vantage points Building, which rises majestically within Wascana Centre seriously above the tree tops to be seen from compromise fundamental objectives. many points in Wascana Centre and This topic is covered under “Visibility the City. of Surrounding Development” in Section 5.5, page 111.

Building Heights limited to 13.0 Metres

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 60 Principle 16: Universal ment which is better for all people design options­ ignores the needs of Access - more “legible”, more acces­ si­ ­ble, people with disabilities at the risk more comfortable and more effi­ ­ of reducing mobility and comfort for As a place of great importance to cient. many, and at the risk of incur­ ring­ people in Regina and the Province as very high costs for retro­ fit­ ­ting at a a whole, Wascana Centre should be All proposed facilities and later date. universally accessible. The impact landscapes should be carefully of the physical environment on vetted during the design process The detailed design of exterior public persons with mobility, visual, hearing to ensure this goal is achieved. places and movement corridors and other impairments is so great In addition, existing facilities and should receive particular attention. that Wascana Centre intends to landscapes should be audited Sidewalks and walkways­ should make the accommodation of those so that priorities can be set for be dimensioned to accom­ mo­ date­ with disabilities a high priority. The retrofitting them to current universal wheelchairs and other mobility aids, ef­fective­ accommodation of the accessibility standards. and should be smooth-textured and people with physical challenges is free from obstruc­ tions.­ Gradi­ ­ents on Although some specialized measures a basic respon­ ­si­bil­i­ty, but will also pedestrian surfaces should be con­ will be required, the development benefit the Centre in two im­por­ trolled and ramps avoided­ wherever of an accessible environment need tant ways: first, those for whom pos­si­ble. Special attention should be not involve exorbitant costs. What access might be restricted will be given to snow clearing and storage is required­ is an attitude toward able to more fully participate in requirements. Exterior lighting building and landscape design and and enjoy the Centre’s offerings, should be designed to assist people main­tenance­ founded­ on awareness­ and, second, measures neces­ ­ with limited visual abilities. Signage and sensitivity. The evalu­ a­ ­tion of and sary to accommodate people with should be clear and readable. selec­ tion­ between other­ ­wise equal disabilities usually create an en­vi­ron­

Principle 17: Plan for All Management: Recreational and Programming: Events need to be Seasons support facilities need to be kept in planned that will generate interest a good state of repair at all times. and attract large numbers of people. Wascana Centre should be Trails need to be groomed on a Many people are looking for things developed as an all-season regular basis, washrooms need to to do in the winter, and joining with recreation destination. Regina be cleaned and stocked, and roads others to engage in an activity that winters can be harsh at times, but and parking lots kept clear of snow is unique, fun and colourful will be there are recreational activities and ice. attractive to many. possible only in winter that draw many people to the Centre during the cold months.

Planning for all seasons requires a committed approach to development, management and programming.

Development: A basic infrastructure needs to be provided. This includes ski trails, skating trails, winter mountain bike courses, and other activity generators. It also means washrooms, warming huts and snack bars that are open all year.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 61 Principle 18: Project siting, scale, materials, circulation, Expectations Checklist micro-climate and energy. The expectations apply to both buildings New projects and upgrades should and landscapes. be guided by a common set of principles in order to ensure that the These expectations have two environmental quality and character purposes. The first is to inform of Wascana Centre is maintained, project proponents as to the goals and that the spirit and intentions of and objectives of Wascana Centre, The Wascana Centre Act are upheld. and to remind them that all building and landscape projects in Wascana Many of the founding principles have Centre should be of the very highest been discussed in the preceding quality. The second is to serve pages. A more project-specific set as a checklist to be used by the of “expectations” is set out in the Architectural Advisory Committee following pages. and Wascana Centre Authority when reviewing development proposals. These expectations relate to The proponent should be obliged to permissible uses in Wascana Centre, explain how each of the expectations as well matters dealing with location, has been addressed.

Land Use Expectations

• Wascana Centre will be devoted to the development of the seat of Government, the enlargement of educational and research and development opportunities, the advancement of the cultural arts, the improvement of recreational opportunities, and the conservation of the environment. Urban Design Expectations

Response to Context

• Responsive to a specific Sense of Place – the site, Wascana Centre, the City, the prairie region. • Reflects the type of landscape and pattern of buildings of its specific location in Wascana Centre. • Respects the legacies of previous generations of designers. • Recognizes and re-interprets traditional prairie typologies, forms and materials. • Contributes to, repairs and enhances existing qualities. • Contributes to a broader composition of buildings and landscapes.

Site Utilization and Organization

• Uses the site efficiently, recognizing that land has value and is a finite resource. • Acknowledges the probability of future expansion and growth • Optimizes functional relationships with adjacent buildings, outdoor spaces, circulation routes and infrastructure. • Exploits the potential for synergies and shared use of existing facilities and infrastructure.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 62 Landscape Design

• Demonstrates the qualitative values associated with the Centre’s stewardship of the land. • Contributes to overall visual cohesion of Wascana Centre. • Supports the naturalization and maintenance principles of the specific areas of the Centre. • Employs native or adapted plant material. • Deploys the traditional practices for micro-climate moderation, snow catching and water conservation. • Acknowledges the spatial requirements of snow clearing equipment. • Optimizes irrigation in relation to defined irrigation zones. • Minimizes heat island effect of paved areas and roofs. • Minimizes light pollution in the design of outdoor lighting.

Building and Landscape Integration

• Buildings and groups of buildings are generally sub-ordinate to the overall landscape setting and buildings are no higher than the mature tree canopy. • Singular landmark buildings are exceptions and are prominent in the landscape. • A mutually supportive relationship of buildings and associated open spaces. • Defined outdoor spatial volumes are framed by buildings and plantings. • The legibility and safety of outdoor pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular circulation routes are articulated by the buildings and plantings. • Circulation routes have clear sense of spatial order and hierarchy in support of way-finding. • Vehicular access to service and storage areas is discretely consolidated. • Outdoor and indoor circulation systems are integrated and universally accessible. • Building faces adjacent to public open spaces and thoroughfares are treated as “fronts” that are visually and physically accessible.

Response to Climate

• Moderation of local micro-climates through site planning, building profiles and orientation, land form and vegetation. • Incorporates traditional prairie landscape practices for wind shelter, snow capture and water conservation. • Incorporates over-head shelter from rain and snow in high-traffic pedestrian areas. • Encourages a wide range of seasonal use.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 63 Architectural Design Expectations

Response to Context

• A building’s role as a singular “pavilion” in the landscape OR as a contributor to a cohesive grouping of buildings, is clearly articulated. • Local urban settlement and rural traditions of the prairies are respected. • Loss or disturbance of existing site features and resources is minimized. • Legacies of earlier architects, designers and builders are respected. • The built form and the palette of materials respond to the immediate surroundings and the local prairie context. • Building massing and articulation in proportion with the surroundings. • Individual buildings designed as members of a community of buildings.

Long Life / Loose Fit

Adaptable to new uses or modes of operation, as needs and priorities change, while designed to last.

Environmental Quality

• Energy use and performance is optimized. • Deploys renewable energy sources. • Incorporates reduced water use and waste-water output technologies. • Building interiors employ a construction quality assurance plan, use low emitting materials, monitor carbon monoxide, provide thermal comfort and optimize daylight penetration. • Slowed storm water run-off rates and improved storm water quality. • Reduced construction waste and use of re-cycled and renewable materials. • Use of locally sourced and natural materials.

Technical Performance

• An optimal balance of capital and operating costs is demonstrated through life cycle analyses. • Maintenance costs are optimized. • The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings is exceeded by at least 25%.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 64 CHAPTER 4.0 PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTIONS

This section describes development and management plans for the nine component parts of Wascana Centre. These areas are identified on the diagram below.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 65 Area 1: South of College Avenue

This planning area contains the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Wascana Park, College Avenue Campus of the University of Regina, Old Normal School converted to the Canada Saskatchewan Production Studio, CBC Broadcast Centre and CNIB.

The adjacent Qu’Appelle Diocese Lands, east of Broad Street, are not part of Wascana Centre, but include substantial buildings and mature landscapes which currently form a continuation of the historic character of College Avenue and the College Avenue campus. Redevelopment should complement the present building and landscape patterns of the Centre.

College Avenue Wascana Park The historic character of this street Wascana Park is one of the earliest is that of a wide and formally planted and historically important of Regina’s boulevard bordered by Wascana parks. Fronting on College Avenue, Park and institutional buildings with it presents a broad “window” onto generous forecourt lawns. These the Centre from the City and helps buildings address parallel frontage to define the dignified character of driveways (Ramsey Drive), set well College Avenue. The Park is laid out back from the Avenue. Any future in a romantic, picturesque pattern, development along College Avenue apparently influenced, in part, by should retain and reinforce these the Frederick Todd 1910 plan for the characteristics. siting and setting of the Legislative

South of College Avenue - Existing Conditions

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 66 Building, with meandering pathways an outreach initiative of the NCC to through informally planted groups of symbolize the relationship between trees and shrubs. the Nation’s Capital and each of the Country’s Provincial Capitals. As the vegetation has matured, many views into and from the Park Entrance Park have become obscured by Numerous previous plans have overgrown under-plantings. Editing recommended a change to the of vegetation is now required-- Wascana Drive park entrance to selectively removing and pruning improve the intersection for all users shrubs below the tree canopy, to and mark this important location. restore the visual connections Wascana Drive presently meets between The Park and College College Avenue at an awkward and Avenue and, in some places, to indefinite angle near the intersection reveal views from College Avenue to with Lorne Street. To strengthen this the dome of the Legislative Building, connection into the City, Wascana Drive should be realigned to cross “Links Between Capitals” Seating/ College Avenue at a right angle, and Viewing Area exactly aligned with Lorne Street. In A small seating area along the addition, the entrance to Wascana lakeside promenade uses Ottawa’s Centre at this location should be Parliament Hill park furniture and an upgraded to a formal gateway interpretive plaque provided by the marked by tree planting and by gate National Capital Commission (NCC). pillars or other similar architectural This special project is the result of elements.

South of College Avenue - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 67 Axial Vista to the Legislative Building The Legislative Building lies directly on axis with Smith Street, which in turn flanks City Hall north of Victoria Avenue. It is proposed to take full advantage of this condition through minor tree clearing and replanting in Wascana Park, as well as additional boulevard planting along Smith Street. Consideration should also be given to introducing a pathway entrance to the Park from College Avenue to further recognize the symbolic relationship between Legislative Building and City Hall.

An interesting feature of the picturesque design approach is that the axis through Wascana Park will only be revealed when looking straight down its length. The tree plantings will appear to take on a random pattern when viewed from the side. A further marking of the axis is a small landing on the north shore of the lake, opposite the Legislative landing. It is a location for future interpretive features which focus on the Legislative Building and its immediate site.

Axial Vista from Legislative Building (About 1910) Proposed Axial Vista

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 68 Royal Saskatchewan Museum this important public facility. The This early modernist building is existing road on the park side of the set well back from the street, building would be removed so that and is oriented diagonally to the a more contiguous and congenial intersection. Parking is on the south relationship between the Museum side and the access driveway and and Wascana Park could be created. museum entrance are presently to the “rear”, effectively separating The master plan concept for the building from the adjacent park. museum expansion is revised: Expansion of the Museum has been The expanded building footprint both required and anticipated for is entirely on the south-east side, a number of years. The expansion making a stronger integration with programme calls for an addition of Wascana Park and maintaining the more than twice the existing area. architectural integrity of the present building’s façade facing the Albert/ The street facade of the present College intersection. It is suggested building, the landscaped forecourt that the expanded museum be and the park areas “behind” are organized about a central atrium important design features which can spine extending through the building be maintained by locating the new and visually connecting “front” expansion to the southeast side of and park sides of the building. This the existing building. siting of the building’s expansion together with the relocation of the Vehicular access and drop-off could access driveway also allows for an be relocated to the street-front expansion of the perceived “window” side of the building, establishing onto Wascana Park from College a more appropriate and dignified Avenue. approach to the front door of

Royal Saskatchewan Museum Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 69 College Avenue Campus The inclusion of a Central Mall is The decision to approve a The University of Regina sees the intended to bring an additional commercial use in the Centre College Avenue Campus as key to “lakeside” identity and dimension was formed on the basis that the enhancing the bonds between “town to the campus, beyond the College preservation of an architecturally and gown” and has launched, as Avenue frontage, and reflects a and historically important building its number one capital fundraising reinterpretation of the Mawson Plan could be seen as serving two of the priority, the College Avenue Campus for a college precinct. purposes defined by The Wascana Renewal Project. The University has Centre Act: the advancement of the stated its commitment to transform Canada Saskatchewan Production cultural arts and the enlargement its historic campus into a vibrant, Studio of educational opportunities. The accessible centre of learning while The old Normal School is an sound stage occupation of the ensuring that refurbished heritage important heritage building that building has been interpreted as spaces are carefully integrated with was unoccupied for many years and ancillary to these purposes. new construction. The University needing an on-going use to maintain has commissioned a Heritage its viability. A commercial sound CNIB Regina Headquarters Assessment of the campus buildings stage was approved and is now in (formerly Culliton Centre) and their setting in advance of operation although with reduced The Canadian National Institute for preparing for more detailed plans. usage. At the time of this Master the Blind (CNIB) has resided in the Plan the provincial government was Culliton Centre for many years. It This major revision to the Master seeking ways to make better use of was a non-conforming use which Plan (demonstration) illustrates the facility. possible long-term development in the area of the College Avenue Campus based on the following planning principles and design guidelines for development:

• Restoration and re–use of the heritage buildings; • Compatible new infill development on the College Avenue frontage following the site planning patterns of the existing buildings; • Maximum building height of 13.0 metres; • Establishment of a central mall or green extending from College Building’s south façade toward the Lake; • Recognition of the view corridors towards the Lake and from the perpendicular city streets north of College Avenue; • Development of a well-ordered internal campus street system that provides frontage to new buildings and is not reliant on Wascana Parkway as the principal means of vehicular access, and • Maintain parking that is available to people using Wascana Park at off-peak times.

Historic Plan of the College Avenue Campus (Thomas Mawson, 1912)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 70 pre-dated the establishment of drop off area. Parking will be both the Centre. The WCA Board has below grade and at surface to the recently confirmed that the CNIB is a rear of the building so that the conforming use in Wascana Centre. Broad Street landscape character is retained. Access to parking is Currently, CNIB have proposed the proposed to the south and west of redevelopment of their headquarters the building, with the existing drive to house their operations in a new removed and replaced by walkways expanded facility. The new building from Broad Street. Dense planting may accommodate other tenants will buffer the surface parking lot in addition to the CNIB. Wascana from the surrounding park. Centre Authority has conditionally approved the project. Maintenance Depot No revision is proposed for the WCA The proposal includes a single Maintenance Depot No. 2 shown in a building larger than the existing location accessible from the service Culliton Centre. The building will road and surrounded by a screen align with the front of the CBC wall and planting. However, the Headquarters to the north. To the present distribution of maintenance south of the building is a vehicle depots throughout the Centre is the subject of a current review.

Proposed Development of the College Avenue Campus

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 71 Area 2: Wascana Headland multi-purpose room, boat storage postulated in earlier Master Plans, and athletic facilities. These facilities this facility should accommodate This small planning area includes are the nucleus of what could be activities which are carefully the Queen Building, Wascana Place, an even more vital and active place selected to maintain the high picnic grounds and the Marina. No during both winter and summer. standards of quality for which significant revisions to the Master As presented in previous plans, Wascana Centre is already known. Plan are proposed for this area. a new building complex or pier incorporating multipurpose water New buildings should have a direct Queen Building sports, recreation and entertainment and intimate relationship with the The use of this building does not facilities to accommodate further water’s edge. The roof to the existing conform to The Wascana Centre boating support facilities as well as boat house, which acts as a large Act, and its appearance also does potential extended food services, terrace to the restaurant, has been not conform to the high quality exhibitions, film, theatre, dance, constructed to support a restaurant of architectural and landscape and other services. Conceived of addition in the long term. design demanded of other parts as a more compact manifestation of the Centre. It is owned by the of the ‘Tivoli Gardens’ complex or Department of National Defence and a much smaller Santa Monica Pier therefore not bound by Provincial statutes.

If a new building is proposed for this site, it should have a more generous setback from Broad Street and be of sufficiently high quality to justify its commanding position. Alternatively, and as shown, the site could develop as parking to serve adjacent recreation areas. Modifications to Wascana Drive could extend the area of park next to the lakeshore.

Quinn Drive As stated in previous plans, the removal of Quinn Drive within the Centre (the segment between Broad Street and Wascana Drive) would reduce opportunities for commuter shortcutting and create a more continuous landscape in this area.

Trafalgar Overlook The Trafalgar Overlook has a pond and fountain at the end of the overlook structure, as well as informal walkways, wildflower plantings, and picnic amenities.

The Marina and Pier The lakefront between Broad Street and the Trafalgar Overlook is the primary land base for access to the lake by the public and organized water sport clubs. The area now contains the marina, boathouse, restaurant, public washrooms, a Wascana Headland - Existing Condition

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 72 Wascana Headland - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 73 Area 3: Legislative Area surrounded by mixed hardwood protected. The grounds around the and coniferous woodlots. Except for building, to the lake edge south Founded in 1905, the Legislative the Legislative Building, all of the to Avenue B, are designated as Precinct has transformed from buildings in the Grounds are 13m heritage. Further maintenance and short-grass prairie into mature or less in height (3-4 storeys). As a development should seek, where pastoral parkland with the imposing result, the Legislature is the only possible, to bring the landscape and neoclassical Legislative Building building in the grounds visible from lake landings to the full glory of the as its centerpiece. This impressive a distance over the treetops. This original Mawson Plan. building with its copper dome is remarkable and quite wonderful set on a plinth, on expansive lawns condition should be vigorously

Legislative Precinct - Existing Condition

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 74 Legislative Area - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 75 Government Offices to be replaced by parkland. This Several previous plans have proposal was repeated in the 1992 demonstrated additional government Plan. offices in different configurations on the grounds. All of them, starting Since then the thinking has shifted with Mawson in 1913, used a Mall toward the continued use and stretching south from the Legislative refurbishment of existing buildings— building as the primary structuring the Legislative Power House, the device. Walter Scott building, and the former Health building now called Lloyd Mawson’s Mall was flanked on Place. The MacKenzie Art Gallery is both sides and terminated at the now located within the T.C. Douglas end by public buildings. This basic building, an important destination pattern was continued in Yamasaki’s within the Centre. plans of 1962 and 1967. In 1975 the government commissioned a Since the early 1990’s, the Provincial plan which modified the Mall. It Government has committed to placed buildings flanking one side concentrating government services only, leaving the lakeside open to in downtown Regina rather than parkland, and the Mall terminated in Wascana Centre. Since that not on a building but on a large time, the Master Plan has shown meadow or open space contained limited new development in the by government buildings. The T.C. Legislative Precinct. However, this Douglas Building was sited according Plan identifies two new buildings to this plan. The plan postulated that would give context to the T.C. growth of over two and a half million Douglas building out of its current sq. ft. by 2025, and a requirement isolation and provide spatial for 5,000 parking spaces, based containment to the Meadow. The Mawson Plan, 1913 on a policy which emphasized program for these buildings is not the centralization of Government known, but they shall meet the departments in the Legislative purposes of the Centre. Grounds. The Legislative Mall and Meadow By 1982 Government policy had An original feature of the Mawson changed to favour locating provincial Plan, the Mall is a tree-lined office space downtown in order combination of lawn and paths. It to reinforce the City Core and provides a vital symbolic and visual encourage the provision of office link between the Legislative Building space by the private sector. These and the Government buildings. Its considerations led to a reduction in character is treated in two ways the land area allocated for future north and south of Hill Boulevard, government buildings. The buildings which reflect the distinct characters shown in the 1982 Plan onward of the Park and the Meadow. The are those which would reinforce the part north of Hill Boulevard was concept of the South Mall from the originally conceived as a way to Legislative Building to the Meadow, offer long framed views of the with a continuous building frontage Legislative Building. The retention on one side. of the Legislative Power House now interrupts this sight line. By 1987 the idea of reducing government office buildings went The Mall between the Power so far that all the existing buildings House and the Legislative Building between the Legislature and T.C. should develop as a generous Douglas were slated for demolition, open space delineated by large canopy trees. Views north along Legislative Grounds (Project Planning, 1975)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 76 the Mall would be terminated by the south facade of the Legislative Building and in the long term by a proposed interior winter garden conservatory, proposed in 1975 as discussed earlier. Views south from the Legislative Building would now terminate at the Power House.

The landscape of the Mall north of Hill Boulevard should consider a prairie-like character, to represent the shifting cultural views in the Centre and Regina towards greater sustainability and native landscape character.

South of Hill Boulevard, the Mall would assume a more structured form to reflect the formal nature of the Meadow and its surrounding buildings. Here it would consist of a central walkway defined by ornamental deciduous trees, planted in a regular and formal pattern.

The Meadow should be defined by the forms of the surrounding buildings and by bosques of trees making the transition between the straight line geometry of buildings and the inner circle of the Meadow. To reinforce the space and to mark the alignment of the Mall, a site for a sculpture or fountain is identified at the centre of the inner circle. Regular, radiating, open paths between the trees emphasize central entrances to the buildings.

Event Space Basic infrastructure (power, water, communications) to support medium and large events should be developed in the open area to the west of the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens. This development should be inobtrusive in order to protect the visual quliaty of this important landscape

Legislative Power House The Power House was constructed in 1921 soon after the Legislative Building and designed by the Legislative Precinct - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 77 second Provincial Architect of order to develop a landscape to plan, the Centre is contemplating Saskatchewan, Maurice William match the Legislative Building in future renovation and expansion but Sharon. Removal of the Power scale and dignity, and to minimize has not submitted a formal proposal. House was proposed in 1972 to conflicts between cars and people, Given the limits on the current site support the ideal development of selected roads should be removed, to move towards the east and north, an uninterrupted Mall between the leaving Memorial Way, Lakeshore a possible opportunity is to expand Legislative Building and TC Douglas Drive, Hill Boulevard and Avenues A towards the T.C. Douglas Building. Building. The building’s heritage and D as access and scenic routes. This site may become available if value has been identified (although Avenue B, east and west of the the Province continues to locate new not yet designated) and will remain South Mall, should be converted to office space in downtown Regina. an important feature within the Mall. parking lots. Children’s Play Adjoining Grounds Provincial Medical Laboratories A new children’s play area should be The Grounds adjoining the Mall The one-storey east annex of this developed northeast of the Meadow, and extending along the lake are building complex was located directly in association with the existing picnic developed as a pastoral park with on the alignment of the future area. glades, lawns, informal plantings Mall. The building was recently of shade trees, and meandering demolished and the function Arboretum (formerly Nursery Park) walkways, all providing a stately relocated to Innovation Place. The west parcel nursery function was backdrop for the Legislative Building retired and the area designated for as well as places for strolling, Area One North Maintenance Depot redevelopment as an informal park picnicking and viewing. This maintenance depot includes space in 1991. Several past plans a building and storage yard have suggested a range of uses and The landscapes to the north and surrounded by a perimeter fence. forms within the park. The current east, including the formal gardens The facility is currently under review plan illustrates a rehabilitated and the shoreline park areas, are and consideration. nursery to become an arboretum, mature and require little further with the landscape structure development. There are also Rehabilitation Centre informed by the predominant large and mature woodlots to the The Wascana Rehabilitation Centre geometry of the remaining tree immediate south east and south was reconstructed with major species. The linear pattern of trees west of the Legislative Building additions and replacements between should extend to Lakeshore Drive which should be retained. 1982 and 1987. At the time of this and extend views to the lake. Trails

The Legislative Grounds presently contain a small club house and eight tennis courts and set into a large woodlot. Originally intended for use by Government employees, it is now a public facility. Because it is so well protected from the wind, it is one of the best locations for tennis anywhere in the city, and its use does not appear to have any detrimental effects on the surroundings. It is therefore retained in the Plan on the assumption that its availability for public use will continue.

Vehicular Circulation The large number of roads south of the Legislative Building serviced the greenhouses, residences, maintenance sheds and gardens which were once located there. In The Meadow and the Rehabilitation Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 78 should also follow and reinforce that major supplies of plants would a dock/waterfront, and a rich these patterns. The arboretum may be needed only to establish the landscape that includes a waterfall, include a pond or dugout for storm landscape in Wascana Centre and night illumination, and an elevated water control, and should include that once that purpose had been plaza-overlook with interpretive diversified planting. The nursery fulfilled, it would be replaced by new features. remnants also offer interpretation government buildings. It has since opportunities and inspiration for a been recognized that an effective Former Kramer Property unique garden theme. maintenance and replacement The future of the former Kramer program will require continued property is currently under review. A new floral conservatory is operation of the east parcel nursery, Parts of the property may have proposed at the northern edge of the so it remains in the Plan. However, potential heritage value. arboretum, with the building relating a significant section adjacent to Central Maintenance Depot to the fabric of the old nursery. The Hillsdale Street has been set aside South of Lakeshore Drive and east floral conservatory building should as public open space and trails, of Old Broad Street is a consolidated have a strong address towards providing an important visual and maintenance depot located to Lakeshore Drive and the lake, and functional asset to the frontage. provide all-season facilities. the south of the former Kramer Pine Island Residence. This site currently Production Nursery This island, created during the Big includes parking for employees The main Wascana Centre nursery Dig, is a special user destination. and service equipment. The site is is located in the southeast quadrant Access is by way of a footbridge. The currently under consideration. of the Legislative Grounds. It was island is home to a judging station to initially developed on the assumption support water-based competitions,

Legislative Area East - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 79 Area 4: Family Parkland developed but requires a scenic and relatively large open areas. A pedestrian trail route close skateboard park has been added Extending along the north lakeshore, to the lake. A mixed-use trail close to the Science Centre. this planning area contains the should be implemented from the rolling Family Parkland with several Saskatchewan Science Centre to Candy Cane Park is an all-ages play picnic sites, a family amusement Douglas Park. Dense mixed planting area that was updated in 2012 and area, the Saskatchewan Power added to screen the houses on 2015. It was originally constructed Plant redeveloped as a research Quinn Drive would also be of value. in 1979 during the ‘Year of the Child’ and development station, the and has remained a staple of family Saskatchewan Science Centre For the most part, the open and life throughout the decades. and the IMAX Theatre. The area is informal character of Family also the site for one of the major Parkland should be maintained in North of Wascana Drive, there segments of the Scenic Drive. order to permit views of the lake should be further development of and beyond from Wascana Drive. continuous and open deciduous tree Landscape Development Development of the area could planting to create a strong canopied Family Parkland is currently well- include planting, picnic facilities transition to the park from bordering

Family Parkland - Existing Condition

Family Parkland - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 80 streets including 19th Avenue, development which was specified At the time of writing this plan, the Douglas Avenue and McDonald in the 1982 Master Plan. Third, the Saskatchewan Science Centre has Street. Saskatchewan Power Corporation submitted a proposal to expand and substation and related equipment modify their facilities. The proposal Saskatchewan Science Centre would be removed over time. At the includes a weather protected The Saskatchewan Science Centre time of writing, SaskPower still uses lookout structure towards the lake is located within the historic former the site as a research facility but has leading from the Kramer IMAX powerhouse originally constructed screened or removed most visible Theatre, and a reorganized shared by the Regina Light and Power functions. entrance for both the theatre and Company. The Science Centre the Saskatchewan Science Centre was originally approved with three The 101-year-old powerhouse was situated on the south face of the important attached conditions. First, recently recognized in May 2015 property. the Science Centre must serve a by the Canadian Society for Civil combined recreation/education Engineering (CSCE) as a Historic Civil purpose. Second, the complex Engineering Site. was provided with an area for

Proposed Development at the Saskatchewan Science Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 81 Area 5: Conexus Arts Centre than to the auditorium or fly tower. in front of any new development on It should also only be permitted the parking lots. This relationship This prominent and central site on the parking lot sites, so that of street to landscape is similar to is occupied by the formal and the parkland adjacent to Wascana what currently exists along College monumental Conexus building in a Parkway is retained. Replacement Avenue and Wascana Parkway at the commanding position overlooking parking should be either below grade University of Regina. the lake. It is flanked by large or structured above grade, with surface parking lots. Adjacent to it garages lined with habitable space are the Waterfowl Display Ponds and to minimize the visual exposure of Goose Island. parking areas towards public spaces.

Because of its prominent position, Differing slightly from the 2006 Plan, the site is particularly vulnerable to the demonstration plan illustrates unsympathetic architectural design a modification to the frontage and massing. New development, if character along Lakeshore Drive. any, should be considered only if it is The broad planted landscaped built over the parking lots, and only hill that currently exists between if it consists of low, perhaps terraced Lakeshore and the Conexus Arts masses relating in scale to the base Centre is extended to the east, so of the Conexus Arts Centre, rather that the same condition continues

Conexus Arts Centre

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 82 Conexus Arts Centre - Existing Condition

Conexus Arts Centre - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 83 Area 6: Douglas Park/ The presence in one area of remnant heritage value situated along the Wascana Hill native prairie, the site of the old original Dominion Land Survey Sifton farm, the “mountain” as one system. The Drive continues along This planning area contains the of the more surprising elements the boundary of Douglas Park and Douglas Park sports complex and of the original Wascana Plan and connects with Assiniboine Drive. picnic grounds, Wascana Hill, the recent mounded evidence of an over-wintering structure for the Big Dig all point to interesting Wascana Hill waterfowl, the WCA production opportunities to tell the story of the Built mostly from material excavated greenhouses, Equipment place in its several manifestations from local construction sites and Maintenance Shop, Maintenance over time. lake excavation, Wascana Hill is Depot No. 4 and some of the last now at its ultimate size at about original prairie grassland in the Wascana Drive 600 metres above sea level. region. This terrain is rich in history This Plan shows Wascana Drive This elevation provides nearly and ecology. aligned to the east of the former unobstructed views of the complete Sifton Farm, a site with potential horizon, the only place this is

Douglas Park - Existing Condition

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 84 available in the city. A low-profile allocated as a conservatory and at the edge of the ball fields. The viewing shelter is planned at the arboretum has been remodeled current master plan suggests that summit to take advantage of the with lake fill to form a rolling hilly Douglas Park should remain as a unique location. landscape for winter cross-country primarily active recreation uses, and skiing and summer trails. that performing arts locate in the The preferred image of the Hill is of a vicinity of the Conexus Performing grassed dome rising out of a mantle Outdoor Performance Venue Arts Centre. However, neither of of rich vegetation around its base. In several of the past master plans, these two areas are of a sufficient The Hill should be covered primarily an outdoor amphitheatre had been scale to accommodate the types in rough-mown vegetation. Its main proposed within Douglas Park along of activities desired for such a active recreational function is for the east slope of Wascana Hill. This facility. Other opportunities for large jogging and walking trails in summer, site was believed to have been large gatherings exist in the Meadow at skiing and tobogganing in winter. enough to accommodate seating the southern end of the Legislative A gravel road leads to a parking lot for a large numbers of people on Mall or perhaps within Wascana at the top of the Hill. The area to the grass slopes, watching music South, the large non-developed land the south east of the hill, previously and other performances on a stage reserve to the south of SaskPoly.

Douglas Park - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 85 Sports Facilities Field House. The older washroom WCA Maintenance Depot No. 4 are Douglas Park is one of the City’s facility is removed. retained. most active sports field areas and is in a relatively complete state. The area north of the sports Assiniboine Flyover Leibel Field has recently upgraded fields should be developed as Proposed in the 1982 Plan, this to artificial turf. The parking lots un-programmed outdoor space in bridge connection is between the are currently being completed. un-irrigated short grass needing Trans-Canada Highway Bypass and Sports fields include the Canada minimal maintenance. The Assiniboine Avenue east of Wascana Games Athletics Complex, a cricket demonstration illustrates retention Centre. Care has been taken pitch, a quartet of softball fields, of the Formal Garden, sometimes since to avoid a street connection multi-purpose open space, and known as Beautyrest Park. Although between Assiniboine Avenue, east tennis courts. A dense planted not much is known about this and west, so that commuter traffic screen is proposed at the eastern interesting feature, it has been part from the south-eastern sector edge, against the Trans-Canada of Douglas Park since the early of Regina will not be able to use Highway and the Assiniboine Avenue 1950’s and should be maintained. Wascana Drive as a through route. overpass. Regina Minor Football has The baseball diamond is replaced A special lane, restricted to bicycles proposed a headquarters building with a multi-purpose field. and pedestrians, provides a direct associated with Leibel Field. Other link into Wascana Centre from proposed structures include a new Maintenance Assiniboine Avenue. Athletic Centre, and a renovated The production greenhouses, Equipment Maintenance Shop and

Leibel Field

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 86 Douglas Park - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 87 Area 7: Waterfowl Park extensive marsh areas together with The 2016 Plan supports the remnants of native prairie grassland. proposal for a boardwalk connecting Wascana Lake and its associated Of some cultural interest, the area the Waterfowl Display Ponds and the marshes, wetlands and backshores also includes old hedgerows that Science Centre as a unique way of are part of Wascana’s prairie speak to the use of these lands for experiencing the lake and associated heritage and valuable assets to market gardening as late as the wetland areas while providing a manage with care. Recognizing its 1950s. needed pedestrian linkage. Once importance, the 2016 Plan identifies developed, the Boardwalk would Waterfowl Park as a distinct planning Prairie Arboretum also facilitate greater program zone with its own particular priorities A section of the Conservation coordination between these two and requirements. Area will be developed as a Prairie related facilities. Arboretum, which will demonstrate In general, Waterfowl Park will be the full range of prairie vegetation The Plan also proposes a boardwalk managed as a complex of natural types from marsh habitat at the across the lake between the lake, shoreline and grassland water’s edge, to prairie grassland University of Regina and Douglas environments. Management will and early successional woody Park. In addition to augmenting primarily consist of the introduction vegetation. programming choices, this of native species and the selective connection would provide new trail control of invasives. The use of these Waterfowl Boardwalks options and a unique perspective of areas for active recreation will be Given the overall increasing Waterfowl Park. minimized, and public access will be recreational use of Wascana, the carefully controlled. development of previously proposed connections across the Lake Conservation Area would serve the Centre well. These The area along the lake, south of connections would provide new ways Assiniboine Avenue will be managed of experiencing the lake and provide as an educational and research a greater choice of routes. resource. The area includes

Waterfowl Park

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 88 Waterfowl Park - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 89 Area 8: The University University plan depended upon The 2006 Plan proposed Precinct the completion of many phases of development along the Wascana building within a relatively short Parkway frontage, the new arena, The University of Regina Campus period of time. Its interruption left small additions to the Dr. John Master Plan is a subset of the the campus in an ‘incomplete’ Archer Library, Physical Education Wascana Centre Master Plan. It is state with a weak sense of focus Building, Campion College, Luther updated on a regular basis, and and structure. For many years, the College, and Kinesiology Building. requires approval by Wascana partial completion of the indoor The plan also included the full Centre Board of Governors. The pedestrian concourse system and development of First Nations following is a brief summary of teh the disproportionate number of University and Innovation Place. full report, which can be found at isolated buildings also put students http://www.uregina.ca/fm/p-d-c/ and faculty to some inconvenience In 2011, the University of Regina master-plan2016/index.html. and discomfort during the winter. Campus Master Plan put forward a vision of a “Campus in the Park” The selection of a site for a new Since 1982 the Master Plan has that promoted an extended green campus in Regina was precipitated proposed that development would pedestrian system throughout the by the need for rapid university occur in two general areas, each main campus. Since the 2011 Plan, expansion in the early ’60s. At that to accommodate quite different major completed projects include time, it was expected that the new uses. Academic uses would be the Research and Innovation Centre campus would accommodate some concentrated in the campus core, and Kisik Towers—the first of four 8,000 full-time students within a with new buildings arranged phases in the Residential Precinct. 15 year time frame, a significant to spatially define the central number of whom would live on Academic Green and to permit the The major objectives and strategies campus. Building growth was stalled completion of a continuous interior in the 2011 Plan are all carried between 1974 and 1989, while pedestrian system. Research uses forward to the 2016 Master student enrollment continued to with ties to private industry would Plan. Changes in the new Plan increase, albeit at a slower pace be accommodated to the south, are primarily refinements and than originally anticipated. structured along a University Mall extensions, and adaptations to that originated at the Academic emerging circumstances. Key The success of the original 1962 Green and extended south. changes include:

Main Campus, 2015

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 90 University of Regina Main Campus - Existing Condition

University of Regina Main Campus - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 91 A Prairie Campus. The 2016 Plan in a mature state in that buildings between trucks and pedestrians extends the idea of a “Campus and landscapes are well-established and the visual impact of loading in a Park” to include greater and generally permanent. While docks and equipment, the 2016 consideration of native plants change and adjustment will continue Plan outlines a building pattern that and design motifs. The 2016 Plan to occur over time, these areas embeds servicing yards and facilities identifies the University as a “Prairie are valuable assets that should be within groups of buildings and away Place”. The University is very much protected and carefully managed. from heavily traveled pathways and rooted in the prairies in terms streets. of it origins, history and present Landscape Maintenance and character. Ongoing landscape design Management. Water is a precious The Northeast Residence should embrace natural and cultural commodity across the prairies. Quadrant. Consistent with the prairie themes to produce a campus Campus landscapes need to become development of an “Outer Campus”, more sustainable and connected to less reliant on artificial irrigation future development of the Residence the local context. and intensive maintenance. Campus Quadrant is organized to create landscapes should be maintained in plazas that reach out to embrace the Spatial Structure. The primary accordance with their specific roles Lake and shoreline landscapes. spatial and landscape structure and importance. Limited priority of the campus is an inverted landscapes that perform important The Central Campus Quadrant. “L” focused at its corner on the functions should be identified New development is shown Academic Green, with projections for high maintenance. Other adjacent to Luther and Campion southward along University Mall landscapes that perform more of a Colleges. These projects will provide toward the Innovation Place and background role should evolve into academic, residential and dining extending eastward to the proposed self-sustaining places that celebrate facilities, and will serve to link both double courtyards of the First drought-resistant native plantings colleges to the interior concourse Nations University. This primary and local materials. system. structure is complemented by a The Southeast Mixed-use series of courtyards providing a Pedestrian Concourse. The 2016 Quadrant. focus and identity to smaller groups Plan confirms that all buildings In this area, the future of buildings. should be connected to the interior parkade and arena are reorganized pedestrian concourse system. The and coupled with a possible Campus Landscape Structure. concourse system will be at ground academic facility or residence. The “Green Connections” concept level where possible, with access to The new development pattern set out in the 2011 Plan is extended the outdoors and natural sunlight. strengthens the landscape corridor to include additional corridors and The concourses will be designed as structure in this part of the campus, spaces. The 2016 Plan recommends connected indoor “streets” - vital and places servicing in a discreet that these landscape corridors be and sociable meeting grounds for location within the block. highly developed and protected from the entire university community. South of Wascana Parkway. future development. The Parking. The University will move University plans to develop some or The Outer Campus. Strategies for from reliance on surface parking to all of these lands for student family enhancing the Wascana Parkway a greater mix of structured parking housing. Although in the very early and Wascana Lake frontages are provided in association with building planning stages, the vision identifies refined and strengthened. The key expansion. Parking is proposed a complete community with a strategy involves the organization partly on the surface, partly under variety of housing types as well as of new buildings to form plazas that buildings, and partly in a multi- supporting retail, recreation and reach out and bond with Wascana level structure shown east of the social services. Parkway and the Wascana Lake Kinesiology building and south of shoreline. Luther College.

The Maturing Campus. The 2016 Materials Handling. A materials Plan recognizes that significant handling strategy is a new addition portions of the Main Campus are to the 2016 Plan. To reduce conflicts

For the complete University of Regina Master Plan, go to: www.uregina.ca/fm/p-d-c/master-plan2016/index.html

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 92 Landscape Structure Parking

Road Network Loading and Servicing

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 93 First Nations University of Canada In the very long term, expansion of Founded in 1976, First Nations FNUniv is illustrated as has been University of Canada (FNUniv) is a shown in previous master plans. federated college and has become a well-established entity on the Acting upon the recommendations University of Regina campus. coming out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the In order to establish its University of Regina Strategic independence and identity, FNUniv Plan commits to ensuring that was located at a remove from the “First Nations and Métis cultures main body of the campus, and are reflected in all aspects of constructed a facility with a unique campus life, in everything from our architectural character. Connections curriculum to our campus design with the main campus were weak, and the ceremonies that are part of both physically and academically. Convocation.”

In recent years, however, An initiative relevant to the Master programming and socio-political Plan is the use of indigenous changes have strengthened the vocabulary to name streets and connections between the two buildings on the campus. This is a institutions. commendable effort that should be extended to include named gardens, The 2016 Plan suggests ways to court yards and plazas. reinforce the physical connections between FNUniv and the main In the same vein, landscape motifs campus. First Nations Way, the should be introduced on the campus road enclosing FNUniv, is modified that reflect the native character and to establish a direct connection features of the prairie. to the road north of Luther/ Campion Colleges. Furthermore, the pedestrian connection from FNUniv to University Drive East is seen as weather-protected. This connection links to the campus interior concourse system through a new link in proposed development immediately north of Luther College.

In the medium term, FNUniv is expected to expand. Initial ideas are being considered, but formal proposals have yet to come forward. In the meantime, the 2016 Plan illustrates an expansion form that extends the existing architectural concept. The new expansion works with the existing building to form an interior court yard. FNUniv Long Range Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 94 Innovation Place - Existing Condition

Innovation Place - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 95 Innovation Place [formerly Innovation Place is located on land Research Park] leased from the University and has Innovation Place is a research been developed with strong physical park under the Saskatchewan links to the University. The priority for Opportunities Corporation, a growth is on further developing the Crown corporation that supports frontages on Research Drive along the advancement and success of the promenade walk leading from Saskatchewan’s technology and the University mall to the Terrace key growth sectors through the Plaza. Future developments will development and operation of further consolidate the connection technology parks at the province’s with the University campus. The universities in Saskatoon and Regina development along Research Drive and the Forest Centre in Prince will be followed by the infilling of Albert. sites within the perimeter loop road on the secondary street and The Regina campus opened greenway frontages. in 2000. Located next to the University of Regina, Innovation No significant changes are Place hosts leading edge recommended in this planning area. petroleum, environmental sciences and information technology organizations. Innovation Place is home to 27 tenants, employing over 1,300 people. The park includes 6 buildings with 465,000 square feet of space.

Terrace Building at Innovation Place

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 96 Innovation Place - Existing Condition

Innovation Place - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 97 Area 9: Wascana East entrance, to give it spatial definition concerns wind and snow conditions. and some respite from the severe, The exposure of the site, particularly The area east of the Trans- windy microclimate. Secondary to the prevailing southeast winter Canada Highway and north of expansion sites are available to the wind, creates extreme problems of Wascana Parkway is presently a north. The circulation pattern has wind chill, snow drifting and poor relatively treeless grassland, from been set up so as to encourage visibility. The buildings and plantings which rise the cruciform tower integration between SaskPoly and should therefore be designed to and the cubic buildings of the the second university campus. moderate these conditions as much Saskatchewan Polytechnic Campus as possible. (SaskPoly)--formerly known as the Future U of R Campus Saskatchewan Institute of Applied The area allocated to academic Arterial Roads and Highways Science and Technology. To the buildings on the U of R Main Campus The City of Regina 2015 north is a triangle of land used for has space for only a few additional Transportation Master Plan indicates fill from the Big Dig, with the marshy buildings. Once its capacity is an extension of Wascana Parkway headwaters of Wascana Lake reached, a future campus will to Prince of Wales Drive, and beyond. begin east of the highway. The interchange improvements to Trans- new campus is organized around Canada Ring Road with Wascana The primary objective of Wascana an Academic Green and generous Parkway and Assiniboine Drive. Centre, which is to provide a Central Mall. Paths at right angles coordinated, attractive, park-like to the Mall link parking, sports The important point for Wascana setting for government, cultural fields and the Sask campus. A Centre is to ensure that any and recreational uses, has not yet continuation of the Mall in the form realignment or extension of been fully achieved in Wascana of a car, bicycle, and pedestrian Wascana Parkway continue to permit East, partly because irrigation route links the two campuses. The access both north and south to the water is not readily available here Green is of the same scale as that in Wascana East and South lands, as elsewhere and partly because the existing campus. It is accessed the planning of which would be of the removed and monumentally by a main entrance drive from severely compromised if it became institutional character of the Wascana Parkway. a limited access highway east of the two existing buildings—the tower interchange. because of its height and the original Response to Climate Institute because of its severe The major climatic issue on the site geometry and windowless walls. Future development provides the opportunity to bring the architectural and landscape development of the area in line with the high quality of the rest of Wascana Centre.

No significant changes are recommended in this planning area.

SaskPoly Expansion At present, the tower is occupied by classrooms, offices and seminar rooms. The podium is occupied by larger classrooms, laboratories, libraries, cafeteria, materials handling and mechanical shops.

SaskPoly has been expanding its programs and experienced healthy enrollment growth. Future expansion when required should include buildings on both sides of the

Future Road Network (Regina Transportation Master Plan (April, 2015)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 98 Wascana East - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 99 Area 10: Wascana South The demonstration plan does not suggest a specific program The 2016 Master Plan identifies or proposal. Rather, it illustrates Wascana South as a separate an approach for how future planning area. Although currently development should take place. undeveloped, these lands will play The proposed organization of a crucial role in the future ability of systems and uses for Wascana Wascana Centre to meet the needs South derive from the highly ordered of a growing population. These survey system that is so typical needs will spring from planned and characteristic of the Prairies. growth and development throughout This is in contrast to much of the the City of Regina and in the City, including Wascana Centre, surrounding Rural Municipalities. where development has followed angled or curvilinear patterns that Wascana South is a 160-hectare plot are, in effect, foreign to the prairie of land at the south end of Wascana experience. Centre, south of Wascana Parkway. The lands lie on the boundary The existing survey grid beyond betweeen the City of Regina and Wascana South is extended into the Rural Municipality of Sherwood. the site, where it then defines an Bordered by planted shelter belts, emerging street system as well as the site is flat and currently under properties and development units. cultivation. Such a large site would never be developed at one time. The proposal The development of these lands will suggests how a prairie-based be consistent with the five well- road and lot pattern could form a established objectives of Wascana development structure not unlike Centre. Under consideration is many traditional prairie towns across some combination of community, Saskatchewan. recreational and institutional uses.

The Prairie Pattern Informs the Development of Wascana South

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 100 Wascana South - Proposed Development

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 101 Composite Demonstration Plan

A demonstration plan illustrates one way in which the Wascana Centre Master Plan could be implemented in the long-term full build out condition, in this case 100 years from the time of writing this report. The Master Plan does not require projects to develop precisely as the illustrated in the Demonstration Plan, but it does provide guidance for the coordinated development of the Centre.

The purpose of the Demonstration Plan is to: demonstrate how the Centre could develop over time; illustrate how the Master Plan principles can be achieved; and provide a means for establishing and monitoring implementation over time.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 102 Existing Buildings

Proposed Buildings

Composite Demonstration Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 103 WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 104 CHAPTER 5.0 URBAN AND RURAL CONTEXT

This section discusses Wascana Centre in relation to its neighbours, including its role in larger open space and circulation systems, and the current and potential impacts of continuing urban development. The recommendations put forward in this section are to be regarded as positions which should invite discussion between the Authority and relevant agencies, and not as part of the Master Plan proper. The resolution of the issues discussed requires reciprocal action between Wascana Centre Authority on the one hand, and the City, Rural, or Provincial jurisdictions on the other.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 105 5.1 Part of a Green Space Wascana Centre is part of a network System of green spaces within the City that is largely related to the regional The landscapes in and beyond water courses of Wascana Creek Wascana Centre should influence and Pilot Butte Creek. Together with and support the development of a Wascana Centre, this continuous continuous system of linked green green space network offers the city spaces. a broad range of park-like places linked by walkways and bicycle routes.

Regina Open Space System

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 106 5.2 Continuity of Circulation At the next level, the Centre’s scenic drives are connected to Wascana Centre, as an integral part streets in the City’s road system of the City, carries through traffic at a number of points. The of various kinds. At one end of the development of these connections scale, vehicular traffic with no direct and of the streets beyond should interest or destination in the Centre encourage recreational traffic while travels through the Centre along the discouraging through traffic. Trans-Canada Highway and along Wascana Parkway. These routes are excluded from Wascana Centre’s territory.

Through Routes

Scenic Routes

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 107 Bicycle, ski, and pedestrian trails are connected to similar trails in the rest of the City so that continuity, or ‘through traffic’ is positively encouraged in this case. In particular, two trails, one north and one south of the lake, should form continuous links to City trail systems to the east and to the west of the Centre.

Trails

5.3 Connections to The two major entries to downtown Downtown from the south, Broad Street and Albert Street, should be treated as Wascana Centre extends from the treed boulevards, extending into south eastern boundary of the City the downtown area the ceremonial to within four blocks of the central character these streets presently business district in the heart of the exhibit adjacent to Wascana Centre. City. The longstanding objective to It should also be a goal to make more fully link the Centre with the these streets more comfortable heart of the City is increasing in for pedestrians through the use importance as the revitalization and of widened sidewalks, distinctive repopulation of adjacent residential paving, street trees, coordinated areas continues. lighting and furnishings.

The city streets, in particular Street improvements with a special the north-south streets, are key emphasis on pedestrian use and to providing physical and visual amenity could also be extended connections between downtown along the present Scarth Street Mall and the Centre. The ability of these from Cornwall Centre to Wascana streets to act as connectors could be Centre. reinforced in a number of ways.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 108 The visual axis of the Legislative respect the street’s established Building along Smith Street to scale and building pattern. This Victoria Avenue should be reinforced. will be a particularly critical issue Lorne Street and Wascana Drive with respect to the redevelopment should be axially aligned to form a of the Qu’Appelle Diocese site, continuation of the scenic drive into which should be done in a way that the downtown. complements the Centre.

The present character of College Due to its scale and width, College Avenue as a grand avenue derives Avenue can, however, inhibit from the stately trees, generous pedestrian movement between the lawns and well designed old Centre and the downtown. This can buildings flanking the street. This be alleviated through the design dignified character can be further of intersections with particular strengthened through active attention to lighting, line-painting, landscape maintenance and by pedestrian paving and signage. requiring that new development

Linkages - Wascana Centre to Downtown

Downtown Connections

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 109 5.4 Connections to developing effective pedestrian Residential Neighbourhoods and bicycle connections while discouraging vehicles in or through Major open space and street links the Centre. that serve the city and the region should be supplemented by strong Boundary roadways should have visual and physical connections clearly marked pedestrian crossings. between the Centre and surrounding Sidewalks and walkways leading neighbourhoods. These would into the Centre should be generous provide local access, encourage and well-lit. New connections should fuller utilization of the Centre’s be developed where adjacent resources and meet the recreation communities are not currently well needs of those living closest to it. served. Emphasis should be placed upon

Neighbourhood Connections

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 110 5.5 Visibility of Surrounding the edges of Wascana Centre should Development be limited. The accompanying diagram identifies those areas A valuable and much appreciated around Wascana Centre where views characteristic of Wascana Centre from within are critical and where, is its primarily natural character; a therefore, new buildings should be treasured contrast to the experience limited to 13 metres in height, so in the surrounding City. From most that they will fit within the average places within Wascana Centre, one’s height of the mature trees in the view is focused on natural elements, Centre. and bounded by a skyline or horizon of trees. Because this is so rare in Some leeway could be given to Regina, or indeed in most cities, this buildings with pitched roofs, so that aspect of Wascana Centre should be the halfway point of the pitch could protected. reach 13 metres, if the ridge height is no greater than 15 metres. In order to preserve this important feature, the heights of buildings near

Area of Potential Height Restriction

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 111 5.6 Up-stream Conditions

Potential Extension The McKell Conservation Easement lies east of the proposed Prince of Wales Drive extension. City-owned land within the floodplain lies between it and the Centre’s east boundary. The City and Wascana Centre should discuss the merits of incorporating this land into the Centre to extend the reach of the conservation area up-stream.

Area of Potential Extension

McKell Conservation Easement

Potential Expansion of Wascana Centre

Wascana Creek Reserve environmental resources adjacent Consideration should be given The water quality of the lake, so to Wascana Creek. Effective to establishing a Wascana Creek crucial to the Centre, is to a large development controls are required Reserve for wetland preservation extent dependent on the up-stream today so that adequate stream- and recreation. In order to conditions of Wascana Creek, a related lands for recreational clearly identify the limits to urban small meandering stream with many resources of all kinds are reserved development, the Reserve would be tributaries and a large drainage to meet the needs of generations to instituted prior to the annexation of basin. come. The foresight which led to the land by the City and its release for establishment of Wascana Centre development. A number of different The Authority is concerned that itself should now be brought to jurisdictions are involved. future development take into bear upon the upstream reaches of adequate consideration the Wascana Creek. preservation of recreational and

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 112 The establishment of the reserve boundaries of a future reserve would would be determined and limited would best be accomplished not have an effect upon existing land by the boundaries of the Wascana through a joint conference to reach uses. Current flood plain controls Creek Reserve. At the time of agreement on first principles. The should be sufficient to protect the annexation, appropriate controls plan below illustrates the possible environment while it remains in would be applied to the development areas involved. agricultural use. of the reserve itself. These controls would not only govern the Since pressure on stream-related However, if the recommended planning and design of the reserve, lands is a product of urban approach is followed before land but also specify the techniques development rather than of is annexed by the City of Regina, and responsibilities for ongoing agricultural use, establishing the the extent of urban development maintenance and management.

Possible Limits of a Wascana Creek Reserve

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 113 WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 114 CHAPTER 6.0 IMPLEMENTATION

The Wascana Centre Master Plan is implemented primarily through the actions of the Province, City or University, as the participating partners of Wascana Centre Authority. The Authority itself also initiates projects, particularly landscape improvements. It can also act as a convenient vehicle for bringing together stakeholders on larger issues. This section contains a description of the review process, and a list of recommended initiatives to be undertaken or encouraged by the Authority.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 115 6.1 Design Review of Improvement Approvals by Board architectural nature, may collapse Proposed Improvements or Staff these stages into one application. A proposal, or development, whether Wascana Centre is both parkland of a landscape, architectural, and a set of linked development signage, utility, or engineering nature Proponent, Staff, Advisors, sites. It is governed by Wascana is called an “improvement” by The Committees and their Roles Centre Authority whose express Wascana Centre Act, which requires Proponent mandate is to develop the that before any improvement can The role of the proponent is to landscapes and the buildings to the proceed, it must be approved by initiate an improvement, assemble highest degree of quality possible. It the Authority, after it has received a professional team capable of seeks to do this in two ways: through recommendations from its advisors. designing it so that it enhances the establishment of a master The Act also permits the Authority’s Wascana Centre, seek approval, plan to which all development Board of Directors to delegate and work collaboratively with the must conform, and through review approval powers to its executive Authority’s staff and advisors at of development by architectural, staff. Accordingly, proposed timely intervals toward a satisfactory landscape, engineering and improvements are classified as approval and implementation. heritage advisors as well as design either “Board-approved” or “Staff- Wascana Centre itself sometimes committees. approved”. acts as a proponent, following These committees have a regulatory The judgement as to whether a the same review and approval role because they advise the proposed improvement requires procedures. Authority whether or not to approve Board or staff approval is made Wascana Authority Staff a given design. An equally important by staff in consultation with The role of executive and/or role is to collaborate with the committee chairs or advisors, based professional design staff is to proponents and their designers on an assessment of the size of decide whether the project needs in the development of projects the proposed works, its visibility, Board approval or not, explain the which meet high architectural and whether it may appreciably affect the review and approval process with engineering standards. For this public interest, or make a material proponents, work with them to latter reason, designs must be difference to the quality of the establish a review and discussion discussed at the early stages, when Wascana Centre environment. Most timetable, record and communicate suggestions for improvement can be building and substantial landscape the results of meetings, and provide more readily incorporated. It works proposals will be taken to the Board comment on the functionality against the mandate of the Authority for approval. Approvals or denials and quality of the proposed if proponents wait until there is little made by staff will in any event be improvements. flexibility left in the design process. reported to the Advisory Committees and Board of Directors. Architect-Planner Master Plan Amendments The role of the Architect Planner The strength of the Master Plan Summary of Project Review is to advise whether a proposal is lies in its ability to remain relevant Process consistent with the Plan. Consistency over time by continual amendment Significant improvements such with the Plan is determined by within clear parameters. It is thus as a building, major landscape or whether a building or landscape capable of evolution, of responding significant renovation must undergo element of the same general scale to conditions as they arise, and it review, discussion and approval or and location is contemplated in the is never outdated. Amendments denial at the following stages: current Master Plan, and whether can be Major or Standard. Major the proposed use fits the purposes amendments are those which • Statement of Intent and Project of the Centre as defined by The Act. change the Plan sufficiently to Timetable If the proposal is not consistent, warrant renewed public consultation. • Preliminary/Concept Design the Architect Planner advises the Standard amendments are those • Design Development Authority whether the proposal would which can be reasonably judged make a positive contribution to the to meet the basic intentions of the • Pre-construction (Tender Plan, and if so, whether a major Plan. Documents) or standard amendment would be Smaller improvements, whether required. of an engineering, landscape or

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 116 For many years, the Architect to improve the quality of the project • the use to which it will be put; Planner has prepared the master through outside design critiques. The • its location; and plan for Wascana Centre. While Committee advises the proponent providing certain advantages, this about what it considers mandatory • a target timetable for design and is not stipulated by The Act or any requirements, and may also provide construction. subsequent Bylaws. non-mandatory suggestions. It Wascana Centre staff flag whether advises the Board as to whether the proposal is a master planning Landscape Advisor proposals should be approved or not, issue, and if so, it is reviewed by the The role of the Landscape Advisor and/or whether any modifications Architect/Planner. is to review landscape proposals. should be required. The advice may come as part of the The timetable is set jointly by the architectural design review. Heritage Property Advisory proponent and staff, setting target Committee dates for each stage of the review Engineering Advisory Committee The role of the Heritage Property and approval process. Any revisions The role of the Engineering Advisory Committee began with to the target dates made by the Advisory Committee is to review the identification of buildings and proponent are forwarded to Authority and comment on the engineering structures in the Centre which they staff as they are made. The staff will aspects of all proposals where perceived to have heritage value. In audit the progress of the project by public safety is concerned. The cases where it is proposed that any referring to the timetable, in order Committee will check whether of these buildings be demolished to flag conditions which could lead appropriate professional engineering or remodeled, the Committee to the proponent’s internal design expertise has been applied to the advises the Authority on whether decisions proceeding too far ahead design of site and project servicing, or not approval should be granted. of the review process. The time to and that the design is sensitive The Committee is also mandated review a project is before it has to operational and maintenance to advise the Authority or work with been solidified at each stage, so impacts, particularly where those for other committees or advisors on that the benefits of outside review which WCA crews will be responsible. other heritage issues that may arise. can be incorporated as the design Where staff determines that a progresses. project does not appear to have Statement of Intent and Project broader landscape, architectural, Timetable The Authority will not give approval or urban design implications, the to the intent of the proposal before Committee will review the proposals When an improvement is at least a preliminary timetable alone. In cases where engineering contemplated, and before design has been worked out between the is integrated with a larger project, starts, the proponent will discuss proponent and the Authority staff. the review is generally undertaken the idea of the project and its together with the Architectural possible timing with Wascana Centre Preliminary/Concept Design Stage Advisory Committee. The Committee staff, so as to receive feedback advises the proponent about both about whether the project would For major projects, the proponent mandatory and non-mandatory be permitted, whether it might be and the design review committees modifications and advises the deemed “Major” or “Standard”, will discuss the preliminary design Authority as to whether proposals the kinds of contribution it can approach for the project, either should be approved and/or whether make to the Centre, and the sort in a meeting or through comment modifications should be made. of collaborative process aimed at on forwarded materials. In order developing a design which meets to properly assess the quality and Architectural Advisory Committee the standards of the Centre. The effect on Wascana Centre as a The role of the Architectural landowner on which the proposal whole, the presented material Advisory Committee is to review is intended must endorse the should include: architectural improvements in two proposal and agree to the resultant ways: informally through dialogue maintenance obligations. • a site plan showing its general with the project designers; and context and locating it in the formally by recommending approval. At this time, the proponent submits current master plan; The informal dialogue should occur a Statement of Intent describing, in • photographs of the site and early in the design process. It is general terms: surroundings; intended as a collaborative effort • the type of facility proposed; • architectural plans, sections and elevations;

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 117 • conceptual engineering systems; approve the project in whole or which components of the building • conceptual landscape plan; part, or whether revisions should be are designed and bid separately made. The project’s “design freeze” in sequence. The design process • perspective sketches and/ can only occur once this approval is starts in the regular way, to an early or a study model or maquette, obtained. “conceptual design freeze” for sufficient to understand the the overall building organization, massing and form as well as Pre-Construction Stage (Tender followed by sequential design relationship to the site and documents) development and construction surroundings; and documentation of various Prior to bid, pertinent construction • palette of proposed materials, components. The review process is documents (i.e. significant floor colours and textures. therefore similar for the Statement plans and elevations) are reviewed of Intent, and Preliminary Design It is usually beneficial to show early by the Authority staff and/or their stages. The Design Development and sketches or working models as advisors to determine that the Pre-construction stage requirements they are made, rather than waiting project, as put out to tender, is in will then apply to each separate to assemble a full presentation conformance with the design as component. Presentation material package, which can be provided approved. later. The committees are not for each component will include the necessarily looking for finished work Architectural Competitions overall conceptual design, and any at this stage. Preliminary design changes to it, to act as a context for should come to the Committee long Architectural, public art, monument the review. before the proponent hopes to set and/or landscape design Once the first construction contract a “design freeze” to the project. competitions take a proposal to is let under Project Management, the The meeting should be considered the schematic design stage. The momentum toward completion is so a working session. While the winning proposal is selected by great that a rational review process committee’s primary responsibility is a jury composed of an owner’s is overwhelmed. It is therefore to ensure quality of design through representative and the members critical to allow sufficient time for the its approval advisory function, the of the Architectural Advisory review process to operate effectively desire of the Authority is also to Committee or by a panel of prior to letting any construction provide an extra dimension to the architects recommended by the contract. owner and consultant design team committee. Once selected, the normal collaborative review and by adding the contribution of the WCA Land Use and Development approval process continues through advisory architects, engineers and Policy landscape architect. later phases. This Policy outlines the guidelines for Development Proposal Call Committee comment at this permitted land use and development Procedures stage may include approvals or of new buildings and structures, disapprovals, but more generally additions and exterior renovations will simply consist of suggestions or Developer proposal calls are not encouraged. If they are chosen as to existing buildings and structures concerns to be addressed for further within Wascana Centre. design development. a method of project delivery, design guidelines, approved in advance This applies to all proponents who by the Authority, will be a primary Design Development Stage wish to construct a new building or feature of the selection criteria for structure or who wish to undertake Prior to finalizing the “design freeze” the winning proposal. Site planning, external alterations to existing stage leading to construction architectural and engineering quality building or structures in any way that drawings, the proponent and design standards must be resolved to the is not minor. committees consult a second time. satisfaction of the Authority as a Presentation materials include more precondition to approval. The associated fees for applications advanced versions of the checklist include: above. Project Delivery Through Project Management • Development/Amendment Committee comment at this time Application Review fee; will include recommendations as The term “project management” to whether the Authority should usually refers to a process by • One-time development fee;

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 118 • Annual Licensing Fee (where • Realign the intersection of • Construct an observation tower applicable); Wascana Drive at Park Street for observation of the migratory • Associated costs for a public to discourage speeding and bird sanctuary. consultation (when required). joyriding. Edge Conditions and Gateways Please contact WCA for a complete • Realign Wascana Drive at College • Develop buffer edges where the copy of the policy and fee schedule. Avenue to create a safer and Centre abuts private residential more rational intersection properties and back lanes. 6.2 Wascana Centre Trail System • Establish a gateway with Authority Initiatives • Reinforce and extend the architectural and landscape continuity of the pedestrian trail treatment at a realigned Wascana General Considerations system. Drive at College Avenue. • Connect the trails north and • Establish a gate marker at the Use of the Lake south of the lake near the small entrance to Legislative Drive from • Restrict active recreational water island created during the Big Albert Street. use to the West Lake. Dig between the Saskatchewan • Develop a gateway marker plan • Reserve the East Lake for wildlife Science Centre and the waterfowl for remaining entrances to the and educational use with no display ponds. Centre. boating permitted. • Provide a lake-crossing boardwalk Universal Access • Improve the land-based support between the University and • Emphasize full accessibility in facilities for lake use. Douglas Park. proposed projects. • Protect the flora and fauna within • Establish a bicycle route system • Conduct an accessibility audit on and surrounding the East Lake. from Pilot Butte Creek to the existing facilities. Scenic Drives University and SaskPoly. • Retrofit priority access shortfalls • Realign the intersection of • Continue the development of as funds become available. Wascana Drive at McDonald interpretive features. Street to create a smooth flowing scenic drive.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 119 Development Areas 6.3 Encouragement of Lorne as an entry to Wascana Initiatives by Others Park; Scarth as the continuation Legislative Area of the Scarth Street Mall; and • Continue development of a park Development Areas Broad as a continuation of and mall between the Legislative Wascana Parkway. Building and the Meadow. South of College Avenue Upstream Conditions • Encourage utilization of the • Develop a “nursery” park and • Initiate discussions (to include Qu’Appelle Diocese Lands in floral conservatory east of the the Province, Rural Municipalities ways which are compatible with Rehabilitation Centre. and the City) on the creation of the purposes and character of • Provide basic infrastructure for a Wascana Creek Reserve to Wascana Centre. public events in the space west of protect upstream areas. Wascana Headland the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens. • Initiate discussions to incorporate • Reinforce the marina, restaurant • Develop a children’s play area the City-owned land between and boathouse with an arts and near the picnic area east of the Wascana Centre and the McKell entertainment building projecting Meadow. Conservation Easement into the out over the water as well as lake Centre. South of College Avenue user club facilities. • Continue to establish an axial Urban and Rural Context vista to the Legislative Building through selective removal and Visibility of Surrounding replanting. Development • Organize institutional expansion • Implement 13 metre height to maintain a generous a restrictions in surrounding areas generous Park presence on to reduce the visual impact of College Avenue. high rise buildings from within Family Parkland Wascana Centre. • Establish a strong treed canopy Connection to Downtown transition to the park from • Encourage the development of adjacent residential streets. College Avenue as a grand avenue with low-scaled buildings and • Establish a planted buffer regular boulevard tree planting on adjacent to residential lots. both sides. • Construct a waterfowl • Encourage special landscape and interpretation station. urban design provisions for the • Develop a lakeside path from north-south streets: Smith as an Broad Street to Douglas Park. axis to the Legislative Building; Douglas Park • Maintain the current extension of Wascana Drive along McDonald Street and Assiniboine Avenue. • Construct a low profile viewing shelter on the top of Wascana Hill.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 120 APPENDIX 1 PLAN HISTORY

Wascana Centre as presently constituted is fifty four years old, yet its roots were established in the early part of the century. This Appendix outlines the rich planning and development history of the area.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 121 1913 Mawson Plan for the Legislative Grounds was organized around a north-south In 1908, construction of the Mall centered on the axis of the Legislative Building began, designed Legislative Building to the south, by E. and W.S. Maxwell of Montreal. and an east-west driveway acting as The Wascana Creek dam was the formal entrance of the building improved at this same time. to the north. The Mall was to have terminated on a prominent public In 1913, the year following the building on the alignment of Twenty official opening of the Legislative Third Avenue. It was also to have Building, Thomas Mawson, an continued north of the Legislative English landscape architect, was Building and through Wascana Park requested to prepare a plan for to College Avenue. the Legislative Grounds. The plan included proposals for a large One proposal not implemented was adjacent area, various government to centre the Lieutenant Governor’s facilities and the Lieutenant residence on the axes of old Broad Governor’s residence on the east Street and the Legislative front drive. side of Wascana Lake. His plan Wascana Place, the headquarters is shown in the accompanying of Wascana Centre Authority, now illustration. It set a pattern for occupies this site and is aligned with development which is still apparent the axis of the Legislative Building. today in the Legislative Area, Wascana Lake and Park and the Mawson also prepared a City Plan Qu’Appelle Diocese Lands. for Regina in 1914, part of which is illustrated to the left. The landscape structure proposed

1914 Mawson City Plan

1913 Mawson watercolour, Layout of Grounds of Lieutenant Governor's Residence

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 122 1913 Mawson Plan, Legislative Grounds and Adjacent Areas

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 123 1927 Zoning Plan before it could be fully established. The next major city planning effort From this auspicious start, master began in 1924 and culminated in planning around Wascana Lake was the City of Regina’s Zoning Plan all but forgotten for half a century. of 1927. By then the potential for The city’s growth, however, was the future Wascana Centre was directed by a number of succeeding firmly entrenched—the lake, public plans. institutions, parks and open space formed an open oasis within the With the onset of World War I, the blocks of residential subdivisions. Mawson City Plan was set aside

1927 Zoning Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 124 1948 Faludi City Plan the Wascana Centre landholding— the penetration of a private land The 1927 Plan lasted for twenty use between Wascana Parkway and years. Eugene Faludi was then Hillsdale Street, creating an open commissioned in 1946 to prepare space bottleneck at Lakeshore Drive. a new Master Plan for Regina, projected thirty years ahead to Another interesting feature is the 1976. In this plan, most of the physical separation of the two arms future Wascana Centre land area of Broad Street around the site remains in public ownership or in originally intended for the Lieutenant open space, but the first intrusion of Governor’s residence. The east proposed residential land use north lanes have taken over the role of of 23rd Avenue and east of Broad carrying through traffic, while the Street also appears. This was later west lane has become a scenic to result in one of the few flaws in drive, a role it retains to this day.

1948 Faludi City Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 125 1962 Yamasaki/Church Plan of the University buildings. Other proposals here include a peninsula The idea of Wascana Centre was with a boathouse at its tip projecting conceived during a search in 1960 into the lake north of Spruce Island, for a new campus of what was to and a museum facing an outdoor be the University of Saskatchewan, water theatre incorporating some Regina Campus, later the University reshaping of Willow Island. of Regina. Minoru Yamasaki, architect planner, and Thomas D. Various facilities feature the lake Church, landscape advisor, prepared including a pavilion opposite the the first Master Plan for Wascana Queen Building, an observation Centre in 1962. It was to be the platform on axis with the Legislative first of a five-year (later seven-year) Building, two restaurants in what series, of which this Plan is the latest are now Goose Hill Park and Family successor. Parkland, and an aquarium near the extension of 20th Avenue In the Legislative Grounds, the opposite Douglas Park. Douglas South Mall proposal was reinstated Park is shown with playing fields with buildings in its path to be distributed throughout the area, demolished. The plan proposes a and a ‘mountain’, now called water mall with two side avenues, Wascana Hill, with large circular terminating in a large formal pool observation platforms. A 3,000 seat with a central fountain. It is shorter civic auditorium is shown flanked than Mawson’s Mall, extending only by parking lots. It is oriented to the to Hill Boulevard, but the disposition northeast and faces a new bay to be of freestanding buildings, two on dredged into the lake. each side, is similar. South of Hill Boulevard dispersed freestanding The new University campus plan buildings are organized in clusters included five major zones—academic around a series of courtyards, with core, undergraduate student parkland and surface parking lots. housing, married student housing, sports fields, and research area. The Museum of Natural History (The The academic core is shown as a Royal Saskatchewan Museum) had compact series of buildings placed by this time been built, diagonally on one storey podia forming a series facing the intersection of College of courts and surrounded by a ring Avenue and Albert Street. Wascana road and surface parking lots. It Park is shown as it currently focuses on the library which faces exists, except that it includes an a large formal entry drive and the extension of Wascana Drive to lake. Dormitories are arranged Albert Street. In the old University around freeform courtyards. Five campus area, the existing buildings quadrangles for married student axially facing Cornwall, Scarth and housing are located south of Rose Streets remain, and a new Wascana Parkway. Sports fields building opposite Hamilton Street are located adjacent to the Bypass is proposed to complete the axial Expressway (now the Trans-Canada street orientations. A large parking Highway Bypass). A small area for lot, twice the size of that presently research is allocated on the outskirts constructed, is also shown south of the campus next to the lake.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 126 1962 Yamasaki Master Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 127 1967 Yamasaki/Church At the University’s main campus, Review the residences have been brought into a more compact and integrated The first five year Master Plan Review relationship with the main academic in 1967, also prepared by Yamasaki area, backed up by large parking and Church, followed basically the garages. The checker-board two- same scheme, with some minor level plan has been modified to revisions. There is the addition of a establish a greater hierarchy of open location for the Wascana Authority space: a central linear quad, flanked headquarters building in almost by clusters of academic buildings its present location. Prophetically, around secondary quads. it is shown as the only small court yarded—or central atrium—building The sports fields are realigned to on the Plan. The viewing platform on the south of the landholding. The axis with the Legislative Building has married student quadrangles remain been reduced to more manageable as they were. The ‘Civic Auditorium’ size and the boathouse peninsula (later Saskatchewan Centre of the is removed to be replaced by a less Arts and now Conexus Arts Centre) ambitious boat club and marina, has been realigned and shifted to its shown fairly close to its present present location. position. The restaurants and Land east of the Trans-Canada extensive recreation facilities remain Highway has been added to the on the shore near Family Parkland planning area, although nothing as do the aquarium and recreation is shown on it except the notation facilities adjacent to Douglas Park, ‘Hospital’. west of Wascana Drive. The playing fields of Douglas Park have been consolidated to make room for a formal garden. The proposed botanical conservatory is also somewhat reduced.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 128 1967 Yamasaki Master Plan Review

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 129 1972 Long Plan The family amusement facilities are reduced in number and one of the In 1969, Jack Long of Calgary restaurants has disappeared. was appointed architect planner. His 1972 Plan brought further The Wascana Centre Authority changes, although many major headquarters building is moved themes were retained. There was to the old Broad Street abutment a noticeable change in attitude projecting out into the lake, a towards Wascana Centre’s context prominent site with a commanding in the City and region. This was view. considered of sufficient importance to warrant the extension of the By 1972, it had become apparent Master Plan drawings to encompass that the University growth was not the surrounding neighbourhoods to be as prolific as that envisaged and to relate the plan to its setting in 1962 and 1969. In the plan, in Saskatchewan. The two major the buildings are brought closer expressions of this contextual together, now almost all within the approach were the consideration of area of the previously proposed Cornwall Street and its surroundings academic core. They are oriented as a pedestrian oriented ‘village’ around a single large courtyard connecting downtown, and in with a pond as a focal point. The particular Victoria Park, with married student residences are Wascana Centre, and lay-bys on replaced by research institutions and the Trans-Canada Highway where the remaining land is occupied by travelers could stop their cars and a golf course. It is in the Wascana look across Wascana Centre to the East area, on the other side of the city skyline. Trans-Canada Highway, that the greatest changes are proposed. In the Legislative Grounds, the south A new reservoir is proposed to Mall proposal is transformed to an provide for the increased irrigation interior winter garden surrounded by water requirements for that part loosely aligned modular buildings. of Wascana Centre. The theme of Most of the government office water is then carried through to a functions were to be contained in the Water Mall around which the Plains area north of Hill Boulevard, which Health Centre and Saskatchewan left the remaining portions of the Institute of Applied Science and Legislative Grounds occupied by a Technology (Formerly W.I.A.A.S.) much looser array of small buildings are organized. South of this, an oriented around the old Broad Street experimental residential community alignment. By the time the Plan and farm is proposed. was prepared, the Nursery, originally intended to be temporary, had been This plan was never approved by developed in its present location and Wascana Centre Authority as an is retained in this 1972 Plan. official Master Plan.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 130 1972 Long Master Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 131 1975 Legislative Area Plan Legislative Building, while the south termination is the meadow. In 1975, Project Planning Associates of Toronto was commissioned by This arrangement means the the Province of Saskatchewan building entrances face an internal to prepare a Master Plan for the roadway and the parking lots it Legislative Grounds during a time of connects, while the other side faces great growth expectations. The plan the park. The scope of the plan, is reminiscent of a Business Park, occupying as it does all of the area organized on two axes intersecting from Albert to Broad Street reverts to at a meadow surrounded on three that shown in the Yamasaki Plans. sides by buildings, only one of which has been constructed to date. The By this time, the old Campion South Mall is once again shown College grounds south of 23rd as an outdoor space, defined by Avenue had been incorporated into landscape, but now terminated at Wascana Centre. A new energy plant each end. Both axes, the South is proposed in this location, relatively Mall and a new east-west mall, central to the final disposition of are flanked by parkland opening buildings proposed over the 50 years out to the lake on one side, and a of the plan (of which over two-thirds more or less continuous building have now past). In order to make frontage on the other, facing Albert room for all this development, the Street and 23rd Avenue. The north existing hospital building is shown termination of the legislative axis removed some time after 1995. The is a large conservatory or winter Nursery is also to make way for new garden attached to the rear of the office buildings.

Section through the Legislative Building and Proposed Conser­ ­vatory­

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 132 1975 Project Planning Legislative Area Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 133 1977 Long Review The old campus area on the south side of College Avenue is shown as it The 1972 and 1975 planning then existed, except for the addition processes highlighted an issue of of the CBC building to the south. particular concern to the architect planner and the Authority—the need For the first time, the old for approval of (and commitment Saskatchewan Power Plant, adjacent to) a given Master Plan by the to Goose Hill Park, is shown as participating parties. Accordingly, a remaining, to be recycled as a new approach was taken during the research and museum facility. preparation of the 1977 Plan Review. As requested by the architect The University buildings are even planner, the plan was prepared, further consolidated, leaving with his help, by a committee significant areas of the campus as a representing each participating land reserve. party. The object was to ensure In Wascana East, the reservoir full approval of the Master Plan by and water Mall remain, but the directly involving the representatives experimental community has been in the formation of the Plan. replaced by a Heritage Reserve of The 1977 Master Plan incorporated agricultural character. the Project Planning proposals without significant change. In other respects, it was a more modest interpretation of the 1972 proposals.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 134 1977 Long Master Plan Review

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 135 1982 Wascana East Plan buildings. The two road systems were to be integrated and organized In 1981 Roger du Toit was appointed as an interconnected street grid to Architect Planner. By early 1982 his give clarity and to allow for flexible firm, du Toit Associates of Toronto circulation. completed a three phase Wascana East Long Range Development Plan In the Plan, measures were also for the Department of Government proposed that would ameliorate the Services. Based on the expectation effects of the harsh and snow-laden that the Plains Health Centre and winter winds and optimize exposure the Wascana Institute of Applied Arts to the sun. These measures would and Science (now Saskatchewan reduce maintenance costs and Polytechnic) would expand and extend the use of outdoor spaces consolidate, the du Toit Plan and facilities. illustrated extensive development of both buildings and landscape. To promote use of the nearby lakeshore and to provide viewing To promote a compact and efficient access to the adjacent marsh development form, the Plan habitat, the Plan proposed a system proposed that the two institutions of scenic drives and trails through a expand towards each other and richly landscaped lakeside setting. that new buildings be treated as contiguous extensions of existing

Climate Modification Strategies

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 136 Wascana East Development Plan, 1981/82

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 137 1982 du Toit Associates Plan The Royal Saskatchewan Museum (known then as the Museum of By 1982, many development Natural History) was shown with a areas in Wascana Centre were significant addition and a revised approaching a state of maturity as vehicle approach and drop-off. demonstrated by the consistencies among the previous few Master The 1982 Plan illustrated the Plans. The 1982 du Toit Plan former City of Regina Power Plant distinguished between those areas which was then being developed which were then approaching a state to accommodate a research and of maturity and those areas which development centre as well as a were yet to be “finished”. In the public science museum. mature areas, the Plan illustrated the existing developed condition The University campus was shown and proposed minor refinements. consolidated with the addition of For those areas still requiring new buildings which completed planning, the Plan made suggestions the interior pedestrian system and for relatively new patterns of strengthened the central ceremonial Contextual Planning Issues: Connections to space. An “Academic Green” was Downtown (1982) development. The 1982 Plan also continued a concern, first articulated proposed that would provide a focus in 1972, for the context of the Centre and a terminus for a landscaped and the need to establish a mutually Mall which, in turn, would act as the supportive relationship between City structuring device along which the and Centre. southerly expansion of the campus would be organized. The 1975 Project Planning proposals (repeated in the 1977 Long Plan) for The proposals for Wascana East, the Legislative Area were modified to developed in the 1981/82 study, give the Mall heightened definition were incorporated into the Plan by buildings, and to express visual without change. and physical connections between For the first time, the approved the Mall and the lakeshore. The 1982 Master Plan included a written amount of development east of the document as well as an overall plan. Meadow was significantly reduced, It was recognized that concepts, and previously identified buildings principles and strategies were sites replaced by a permanent fundamental aspects of the Plan, nursery, thus recognizing that a and that these could not adequately continuous supply of plant material be conveyed in a single plan drawing. would be required for ongoing maintenance.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 138 1982 du Toit Master Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 139 1987 du Toit Allsopp Hillier term preservation of some areas Plan for recreation or other uses. Open space so designated could no longer 1987 saw a number of changes both be considered as being available for to the Plan itself and in the approach major redevelopment for other uses. towards its preparation and review. The Plan, which had traditionally The amount of development shown been drawn to a planning horizon in the Plan was reduced, reflecting of one hundred years into the the greater priority given to open future, now included consideration space, as well as more realistic of interim development stages. growth projections. The plan for The written document became the Legislative Grounds reduced the primary reference and the the number of future government drawing became a demonstration buildings and set out concepts for of the principles established in the an extensive park-like setting for the report. A program for facilitating Legislative Building. An extension public participation was established to the Rehabilitation Centre was to ensure that the Plan reflected shown. The Saskatchewan Science broader values and perspectives. Centre was shown more fully developed, with greater provision The preservation of heritage being made for parking and bus buildings was addressed. Following circulation. In the University area, a adoption of the Plan, bylaws were new north/south road was proposed instituted that stipulated procedures within the main campus “ring road”, and conditions for the removal the Academic Green became more of any existing structure and for informal, and the south campus the identification of buildings with was more clearly articulated as a particular heritage significance. research area. Garden plots were allocated south of Wascana Parkway. There was a subtle but important New development in Wascana shift in the treatment of open space. East was considerably reduced Whereas previously it had largely to include modest expansions of been seen as a component of other the Plains Health Centre and the building related development, open Saskatchewan Institute of Applied space was now assigned a land Science and Technology. use status that permitted the long

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 140 1987 du Toit Allsopp Hillier Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 141 1992 du Toit Allsopp Hillier maintenance of landscapes were Plan Review introduced. So were the protection of special features: heritage There were not many significant buildings on the one hand and changes to this Plan. Its production important landscapes on the other, was delayed until 1995. Because which resulted in about half of the of the slow rate of change, The Centre becoming “off bounds” to Wascana Centre Act was revised so future major development. The that its legislated review would occur location of Information Systems was every seven years rather than every added to the Plan. five years before that. While the Plan for the University did Conservation rather than not change significantly in its basic development was a major planning structure, this was the only area theme. Strategies for naturalization, which showed any real development water conservation and reduced activity.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 142 1992 du Toit Allsopp Hillier Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 143 1998 University of Regina administered under a joint venture Campus Plan between the province—through the Saskatchewan Opportunities For the first time in several decades, Corporation—and the University. the University undertook its own Also, the plans of the Saskatchewan comprehensive development plan, Indian Federated College (now First prepared by the University of Regina Nations University of Canada) had Physical Plant and du Toit Allsopp become more specific and needed Hillier, consultants. This approach to be incorporated into the general has given the University greater campus plan. ownership of its own future planning. The campus plan focused on a more The decision to do this was partly an compact and built up academic core effort to bring the planning function without through streets, an east-west “home” to the University and thereby as well as northwest green spine, a reduce conflicts with the Authority’s distinct building identity for the First planning regime and partly to Nations University of Canada, and coincide with fundamental changes many of the approaches previously to land control. set out in Wascana Centre’s various master plans, but in much greater The potential for major academic depth and with considerable expansion to the south was involvement by the University replaced with the greater potential community. of a growing research park

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 144 1998 University of Regina Campus Mid Range Demonstration Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 145 1999 Research Park Plan Research Drive was reoriented so that the approach to the Research In 1988 the University of Regina and Plaza is directly on axis with the the Saskatchewan Opportunities entrance feature and interior atrium Corporation established a joint of one of the Park’s signature venture to develop a Research buildings. Surface parking Park in the southern section of surrounds the octagon of buildings. the campus. This meant that Parking bays are separated by the academic campus would be three metre landscaped strips. consolidated and that after infill, Three parking structures supply the future expansion was slated east of remaining stall requirement. The the Trans Canada Highway. Wascana parking is accessed via a loop road, East north of Wascana Parkway which also acts as the address for would be shared by the University secondary buildings. and SIAST (now SaskPoly), which had by then taken over the Plains Health 1,100 parking stalls within the Centre building. Research Park are to remain available to the University. The In 1999 the Saskatchewan remaining spaces in the plan are Opportunities Corporation prepared based on a ratio of one stall for every a master plan for the Regina 470 gross square foot of floor area. Research Park and architectural designs for the next two new A secondary structure of pedestrian buildings. walkways radiates from the central space to a trail encircling the The plan featured an extension Research Park, connecting with trails of University Mall to an octagonal around the University and into the “Research Plaza” surrounded rest of Wascana Centre by important building frontages.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 146 1999 Regina Research Park Long Range Plan

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 147 1999 du Toit Allsopp Hillier The University of Regina and Regina Plan Review Research Park 1998 plans were incorporated into the Wascana The plan report was restructured Centre Plan. This included a new in 1999 to address the central home for the Saskatchewan Indian importance of water and the lake to Federated College (now the First the life and character of Wascana Nations University of Canada) on the Centre. It also set out a strategy east side. for deepening the Lower or West Lake so as to improve current Except for the rehabilitation and recreational use and water-carrying expansion of the decommissioned capacity, and to at least temporarily Plains Health Centre for SIAST (now forestall the sedimentary process SaskPoly), There was insufficient slowly transforming the lake into surety of land control to show a marsh and over time a meadow. significant circulation systems and Excavation material was to be placed building footprints in Wascana East. Goose Island (renamed Goose Hill), The Plan simply noted academic and Wascana Hill and the north section research reserves. of Wascana East.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 148 1999 du Toit Allsopp Hillier Review

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 149 2003-2004 Big Dig north shore banks were established to control erosion and to provide new The lake was first deepened by habitat. As well, a new island was about two feet by men and horses created between the Science Centre with shovels and carts during the and the Display Ponds, intended Depression in the fall of 1931. to act as a halfway landing for a Spruce and Willow islands were cross-lake walkway, thus helping to created with the fill. Since then, implement a proposal that had been acting as a sediment trap, the lake in successive Plans since 1972. slowly filled up with silt. In the winter of 2003/4, it was deepened again, Goose Island is part of a designated this time with heavy equipment to a federal bird sanctuary. Canada depth of about eighteen feet, moving Wildlife Service of Environment over 1.3 million cubic meters of fill. Canada intervened to forbid the making of Goose Hill. Fill was There were a number of additional instead redistributed elsewhere. initiatives undertaken to reduce The top six inches of the alluvium hauling distances for fill, at the same lake bottom was taken to the north time providing new, land based part of Wascana East, where it was amenities. In the west lake, Pine ringed and capped to contain it while Island was crafted from the old it slowly reduces its moisture content Broad Street abutment, the Albert and subsides. Most of the balance of Street Promenade was created, and mineral soil went to City land south Willow and Spruce Islands were of the Riverside Cemetery. expanded. In the east lake, some

Aerial of the new fill for the Albert Street Promenade taken in February Excavation went on 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the winter 2004 of 2003-2004

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 150 No Excavation

Standard Excavation

Deep Excavation

Fill Area

New Development Area

Options for Haul Routes

Surface Aerators/Waterfall

2003-2004 Big Dig Plan with areas of excavation (in blue) and areas of fill (in dark green). There were a few changes to this plan: the fill around Goose Island did not occur, and a new island was created between the Science Centre and the Display Ponds.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 151 2015 City of Regina The 2015 Transportation Master Transportation Master Plan Plan shows revisions to the 2006 plan. Wascana Parkway is still shown In June 2006, the City of Regina extended to meet Prince of Wales issued a Land Use and Circulation Drive. The Trans-Canada Bypass, Plan for the three community however, is relocated further to growth sectors of the city. The South the south, where it will not impact East Sector Plan remains relevant Wascana Centre. Of more relevance to Wascana Centre because of is the proposed improvements to the increased population to the intersections on the existing Trans- east. The Plan also illustrated the Canada Bypass at Wascana Parkway extension of Wascana Parkway to and Assiniboine Avenue West. Prince of Wales Drive, and a new Trans-Canada Bypass, which was to pass along the south edge of Wascana South.

Future Road Network (Regina Transportation Master Plan, April, 2015)

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 152 2006 Strategic Framework Resource and stakeholder strategies include revenue generation In February 2006, the Wascana through fundraising, sponsorship, Centre Authority concluded a commercial development and public review of its mandate and pricing; developing a marketing plan, established a set of strategic seeking partners in implementing priorities organized into three main objectives, upgrading physical categories: and technical assets, ensuring continuous communication with 1. Wascana Authority’s core partners and others, and preparing a mandate areas risk management plan.

2. Resource procurement and Organization efficiency and stakeholder relations effectiveness strategies include a capital plan for sustainable 3. Organization effectiveness and infrastructure, availability of efficiency. appropriate technology, reliable computer and communications Mandated-related strategies systems, and resource stability. include investigation into becoming a provincial Capital Commission, The Strategic Framework is intended becoming more proactive in to guide decisions, resource animating the Centre year-round allocation and Board, Management with diverse events and activities, and staff actions throughout the enhancing the trail system, pursuing planning horizon of this Wascana an outdoor performance venue, Centre Master Plan. seeking greater First Nations and Métis involvement, and becoming Copies of the Strategic Framework a model of social, cultural, are available on the Authority’s environmental and economic website at www.wascana.ca. sustainability.

WASCANA CENTRE MASTER PLAN / 2016 / PAGE 153 2006 DTAH Plan

The 2006 Master Plan begins to recognize that considerable portions of Wascana Centre are approaching a mature state. Where previous plans emphasized development, recent plans are beginning to also discuss maintenance and management of established institutions and landscapes.

The 2006 Plan included the following recommendations and changes:

• The Music Basin, previously proposed for Wascana Park was replaced by a more extensive amphitheatre in Douglas Park. • To accommodate the amphitheatre and improve safety for winter tobogganing, the scenic drive in Douglas Park was terminated east of Wascana Hill. Access to Assiniboine Avenue was through small roads and parking lots. • Development in Wascana East was shown in a more definitive way. Reflecting the concept of a “Knowledge Corridor”, the Saskatchewan Institute of Arts, Science and Technology (Now Saskatchewan Polytechnic) occupying the southern half while the northern half was to be occupied by an expanded University Regina. • The University of Regina is shown with less development than in previous plans. This reflected reduced plans for growth and a recognition that surface parking was an essential campus component in the Regina context.

Composite Demonstration Plan

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