TCU Place celebrates 50 years serving Saskatoon
Fifty years after opening, TCU Place is able to namedrop with the best of them. Showcasing an endless stream of major talent was regular fare. Johnny Carson was in the building. The BeeGees, Harry Belafonte, Liberace and Tina Turner turned up the heat. Michael Bublé and Keith Urban came by in their early days and more recently, TCU Place hosted the Black Keys and the Florida George Line.
Locals can thank some forward-thinking visionaries who first imagined TCU Place, the landmark Saskatoon event venue originally known as Centennial Auditorium, over 50 years ago. CEO Bob Korol says the project generated some controversy back then. People worried about the $5 million cost, the purpose of the venue and why it needed ‘so many seats’.
With the benefit of hindsight, the 1968 project looks positively inspired. “Anyone that had the foresight around that, to see that, to do that, to me really had a vision for the future,” says Korol. “What can you build for $5 million nowadays?”
Gerard Cullen has gathered memories from the place for over 40 years. He has served as “just about everything under the sun,” from lounge attendant to his current roles as Theatre Sales Manager and Guest Services Supervisor.
“If you look a what this building has meant, and I don’t mean just people coming to shows, one of the neatest things for me is when you see the young dance schools come in here and those kids that come on the stage,” says Cullen. “It’s a big deal to them and they’re a star for a night. You just have to see them.” It’s a testament to TCU’s commitment to support local culture as well, Korol says.
When Harry Chapin came to town and sang “All My Life’s a Circle,” Cullen witnessed something he’ll likely never forget. Chapin had the main floor audience stand and sing to people in the upper balconies and vice versa. It remains his favourite concert. Chapin died not two months later. “I haven’t seen anything like that since. I probably never will,” says Cullen.
He was in the green room when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were in town in 1983, when ‘Royal’ was added to the name of the University Hospital. For 40 years, University of Saskatchewan convocations have taken place at TCU Place. It’s also the long-time home of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.
Cullen says TCU Place has changed “every way under the sun.” Ticket prices have gone from $5 on the high side to an average of $80 today. When he started, typical weekend events would be banquets and dances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. “It’s how the clubs made their money. Today, you just have a fundraiser, silent auctions and you’re done at 11:30 or 12. Before it used to go till 1:30 or 2:00 in the morning. We used to have the Blue and Gold Ball – the police ball. It would be nice to see that come back because it was a great event.”
Times have changed on the performance side as well. TCU has been hosting a lot more Broadway musicals in recent years. “Shows like Chicago, Dirty Dancing, Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Wicked, Miss Saigon and others are very attractive to audiences within our community,” says Korol. As the community has evolved over the years, TCU Place has responded to the increasing diversity of its audiences.
The venue also continues to draw a diversity of artists. Cullen says some don’t want to play big arenas. “They don’t like it anymore. John Mellencamp went on a kick like that. Brian Adams came on his own, unplugged.”
Korol adds the venue catches major artists on their way up and also on their way down.
Renovations and improvements include the 2006 addition of convention facilities designed by architect Kindrachuk Agrey. A new partnership with TCU Financial helped fund the reno and offered naming rights, renewed through 2026. The exterior has taken different configurations over time. Cullen credits technology Sales Manager Richard Heineke with bringing the building to “a whole new level.” A 2012 donation of $250,000 by Jim and Lisa Yuel allowed TCU Place to purchase a new Steinway piano and refurbish the existing 1967 Steinway.
“There’s nothing like having the building full on three levels,” says Cullen. “It’s a really good feeling.” He credits a lot of employee loyalty to the facility over generations for making it happen.
The challenge now may be the future of TCU Place and how it will sustain itself. A market analysis recently released by the City of Saskatoon found the facility needs $20 million for the 50-yearold side of the facility to bring it to where it should be, Korol says.
“There’s a real history and a lot of fond memories here. It’s synonymous with the city of Saskatoon. A lot of people have had a lot of good times in this building,” says Korol. “And that to me is just great.”
A tribute video features Mike Babcock, coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, MP Kevin Waugh, and others. April 1 marked the anniversary of the opening of TCU place. In May, a couple of well-known acts will lead off the celebrations: Nana Mouskouri on May 10 and Andre-Philippe Gagnon on May 24. Additional details of upcoming celebrations will roll out as they are available.