PUSHBACK ON PARK
Conexus Credit Union says it is not going to BACK down from its plan to Build its new headquarters in WASCANA Centre despite ongoing public protests. On Wednesday, protesters gathered near the firm’s Albert Street office to show their opposition.
In front of Conexus Credit Union’s headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, around 15 members of the protest group No Business in the Park lined the sidewalk and waved signs encouraging passing vehicles to honk their displeasure at Conexus’ Wascana Centre building plans.
Drivers’ honking support could be heard on and off throughout the hour-long protest. One supporter drove around the block more than a dozen times, honking each time she passed the protesters.
These continued protests against Conexus’ new 80,000 square foot office building going up in Wascana Centre have not changed Conexus’ mind.
“We absolutely respect the protesters. They’re very passionate about Wascana Park, but it is not impacting the decisions and approval process,” said Annette Revet, chief transformation officer for Conexus.
Rob Humphries, a member of the protest group, said he is disappointed with Conexus’ decision to build in Wascana Park.
“I’ve been a member of Conexus for over 40 years. I’ve used their banking services for over 40 years, and I’m in the process right now, as are most of the members of my family, of transferring over to other financial institutions,” he said.
Protesters were calling for other Conexus clients to switch financial institutions as well.
Humphries said he first joined Conexus believing that the business put community interests first. Now he feels community interests have been bumped to second place.
“Our members will make choices with regards to their financial services all the time,” said Revet. “We encourage our members to reach out to us, ask us any questions that they have, any concerns that they might have, and we’ll address them to the best of our ability.”
Joseph Reynolds, a participant in the protest, said he would like to see Conexus listen to the concerns of protesters.
“I can see their opinion and what they want to do to the park, but I believe ( business) should not be in the park,” he said. “Do not build in the park. Build somewhere else.”
Reynolds said he recognizes the importance of maintaining Darke Hall and the College Avenue Campus, but does not want it to happen at the expense of commercial interests entering the park. Revet said Conexus has met with several members of the protest group and is open to further discussions.
She also clarified that Conexus does not support commercialization of Wascana Centre.
“We don’t support commercialization in the park, but we just want to highlight that our project is different,” she said.
“The University of Regina was looking for a development partner in order to maintain and be able to sustain the operation of some really important buildings in the park.”
She said an important piece of this partnership is the co-location with Darke Hall the new office building promises, as this allows Conexus to help with the hall’s ongoing operation costs while sharing ventilation and maintenance systems.
“It’s much broader than just the donation, and so by co-locating we’re actually really contributing to the ability and the use and the continued operation of Darke Hall,” said Revet.