Regina Floral Conservatory a city oasis
It’s a tiny escape portal from the wind and the cold into a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city – a place where the sun can shine and the flowers bloom even in the midst of the prairie winter.
It’s the Reginal Floral Conservatory and it offers a welcome haven from the hustle and bustle of the city, and from the often unwelcoming weather. “It’s a hidden gem of tranquility,” says Marianne Wilkinson, who acts as the volunteer communications coordinator for the Regina Garden Associates (RGA), which, in partnership with the City of Regina, operates the conservatory. “If you can’t go south [for the winter], you can come in to the conservatory,” she says.
Unlike the variable Saskatchewan weather, the temperature inside the conservatory remains constantly balmy. During the operating season from September to June, there are six featured floral displays that are designed, installed and maintained by RGA volunteers. “We’re always improving it and changing the displays,” says Wilkinson.
The pathways and benches offer visitors an opportunity to spend time exploring the numerous trees and flowering plants or simply sitting and relaxing to the sounds of the small waterfall. The conservatory also hosts regularly scheduled events, such as its popular public teas, and is also available for small weddings or other social gatherings. Check the website,
reginafloralconservatory.ca, when planning a visit, as the greenhouse is closed to the public for some of these events. In the 2016-17 season, the conservatory welcomed more than 14,500 visitors and over the years has been visited by people from across Canada and around the world, with some coming from as far as Russia and South Africa.
Over the last two decades, the RGA has focused on working with students, teachers and parents from Regina and area schools to foster awareness of gardening, horticulture and the environment. The school tours are very educational, Wilkinson says and include discussions of plants and an opportunity for the children to take home a plant to keep. “They’re very popular,” she says, adding that even schools from Saskatoon have participated.
Just as popular is the Little Gardeners program, which is aimed at pre-school children. “We have it all set up with toys and sand boxes. It’s an education through osmosis sort of thing,” Wilkinson says. Again, each child gets a plant to take home. “Some people still have the plants,” she says. “One person has two gigantic jade plants that her daughter got from Little Gardeners.”
Drivers on their way to or from the activities of their busy lives can be forgiven for overlooking the small greenhouse on 4th Ave. just east of Broad St., yet that same location can offer them a respite from the daily grind. Even at just 315 square meters, the conservatory offers peace and quiet combined with the warm scents of growing things. The small greenhouse is the last remnant of what was once a major growing concern for the City of Regina.
The current facility was established by the City of Regina during the 1950s. It housed the main office building for the Parks and Recreation Department and also consisted of three small greenhouses where many of the flowers that filled City planters and displays were started. Another large production greenhouse was built
in 1986 and was used by the City until 1999, when it was leased to Trico Farms.
The large greenhouse was dismantled in 2008, followed by two of the small greenhouses in 1990, leaving the current structure. A plan to close it was cancelled in the face of public support. In 1999, a partnership was formed with the RGA to operate the greenhouse. It was renamed the Regina Floral Conservatory in 2002.
The RGA was formed as a nonprofit organization in 1991 with the goal of supporting the establishment and development of horticultural projects within the City of Regina. The original group of 12 members has grown over the years to a membership of almost 150. It’s not just the flowers that keep all those volunteers, like Wilkinson, involved. “I’ve met all these wonderful people. That’s the best thing about it,” she says of her involvement.
From the people to the plants, the Regina Floral Conservatory offers a great opportunity for residents and visitors to take a moment to stop and smell the flowers. The Regina Bridge Club welcomes you to learn or improve your bridge game. Bridge challenges us mentally with each hand giving us a new mystery to be solved.
What is Duplicate Bridge?
Duplicate bridge eliminates much of the luck involved in card games. The same hand is played at many different tables. Your score depends on how well you do compared to others. The challenge is to find the most successful way to bid and play the cards.
What does the Regina Bridge Club offer?
There are games 5-6 days weekly. Afternoon games begin at 1:00 p.m.; evening games at 7:00 p.m., and a morning game Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. More information is available by calling 306-584-1858.
Why Play Bridge?
Meet new people of all ages and from all walks of life while exercising your mind in a fun atmosphere. Beginning on September 11, there will be lessons Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. until the second week of November for beginners and people who have played a few times. Novices and others wanting to improve their skills will also benefit from lessons later during the year. For lesson information, contact 306-586-7044 or gspence@accesscomm.ca. An open house will be held Sunday, September 10 at 2 p.m. Come and check out what we have to offer.
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