Former Sacred Heart Academy needs more than $1.2M in renos
Condominium geared to seniors seeks $400,000 in tax exemptions over decade
The building once known as Sacred Heart Academy needs more than $1.2 million in restoration work, but there isn’t enough money to get it all done.
Located on 13th Avenue next to Holy Rosary Cathedral, the former girls school is now a condominium geared to seniors. Dale Scrivens, secretary for the corporate manager of what’s now called Cathedral Court, came to council’s Finance and Administration Committee on Tuesday to seek a tax exemption to help fund the work.
“We don’t have the money now to do all of it,” Scrivens told councillors.
But he said some funding is in place through a reserve and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, which helps fund units for lowincome seniors there. That has allowed the most urgent restoration work to begin.
The original building was constructed in 1910, with additions added in 1914 and 1924. It was designated a municipal heritage property in 1990.
Under the city’s Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program, administration was recommending more than $400,000 in tax exemptions over 10 years to support the project. The committee voted in favour of that on Tuesday, sending the matter to a full meeting of council for final approval.
The work plan includes removal of trees and foundation site work to prevent water infiltration, as well as repairs to wood windows, the chimney, masonry and roof tiles.
Ray Plosker of SEPW Architecture accompanied Scrivens to the meeting. He said some of the work will help preserve the former academy’s beautiful stained glass windows.
He said the plan prioritizes the most urgent restoration work.
“We’re doing the stuff that needs immediate attention right now, the masonry work and repairing the stone and the chimney,” Plosker said.
Scrivens said the conservation plan will help preserve the building for decades to come. He placed it among the most beautiful in Regina and said it hosts a “truly unbelievable” chapel.
But he said additional renovations to the building’s cornice will need to wait. He said problems there have led to incursions of “unwelcome visitors,” including squirrels and birds.
“I think that the fact there’s places where small animals or birds can get in is urgent but not something that needs to be accomplished yesterday,” he said. “The building is not going to fall down if that’s not tended to, but it’s a major irritant.”
Councillors seemed to agree that the renovation will give a lot back for the city. The building hosts about 30 seniors, who Coun. Barbara Young said do much to support the neighbourhood.
“This is a beautiful building,” she said.
“And it’s in a wonderful area.”