Lots of layers to restoration of historic property
As plans for Darke Hall’s restoration were revealed Friday, a few forgotten details of the building ’s past were on display in the theatre’s lobby.
Most evident was a brick arched doorway to enter the historic Regina performance hall, which was at some point covered with a wall.
“It’s a little bit like peeling an onion and as you peel that onion, you find layers of restoration work and work that then covered up restoration work,” said James Youck, principal architect for P3architecture, which is leading the 90-yearold hall’s renovation.
Work to remove layers of paint around one of the windows revealed “incredible blue and gold and red stencilling around all of these windows. And when you look at the historical photographs that are very grainy and very old, you could just very faintly see that there was something there.”
Kate Jackson, the project architect, said “It’s all about studying whatever we have in terms of historical records.
“What we have are plans available to us and old photos. And that’s really our only way of knowing what the original intent for the building was. And what I can say is that the building has gone through a lot of evolutions. And it’s even been restored back to the original once before.”
Jackson is working daily on this budgeted $15-million renovation project, part of the University of Regina College Avenue Campus renewal.
“It’s exciting, it’s intimidating, but it’s a new challenge every day. And that’s what keeps me coming to work,” said Jackson, who previously worked extensively on the College Building renewal project.
Jackson was among a couple of dozen people attending Friday’s Darke Hall design unveiling, where Youck and U of R president Vianne Timmons spoke.
Timmons said she views Darke Hall as the future “Massey Hall of Western Canada.”
She thanked 550 financial donors to the project, including Jean Freeman, Lyn Goldman and Ann Phillips — who was present as donor of $1.5 million to Darke Hall’s restoration.
Conexus CEO Eric Dillon was also present; his company’s controversial relocation to Wascana Centre included a gift of $8.25 million to the U of R for Darke Hall’s renovation.
Conexus is also saving the university approximately $10 million by covering shared costs.
Timmons said the U of R is still seeking financial donors, who are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
DESIGN DETAILS
Six artists’ renderings show the future of the venue, which is slated to reopen in early 2021.
Youck said there were four priorities in the redesign: enhanced patron experience; expanding performance options; enhancing the venue from performers’ perspective; and accessibility.
An atrium will connect the new Conexus building to what is currently the basement of Darke Hall, and will become the new main level. From the outside, the atrium will be reminiscent of a “lit box that glows at night,” said Youck, “like a marquee.”
The basement will be updated with a bar and lounge area, and “oversized” washrooms to handle large crowds during intermissions.
In the theatre, there will be wider seats and an extended stage with improved sightlines. The flooring inside the theatre will be raked (sloped).
Upstairs, there will be another lounge.
An elevator in the northwest corner of the building will allow accessibility to all levels of the venue.
Currently, inside the theatre is a relatively blank slate — chairs and flooring have been removed, and building permits are needed to begin interior work in earnest.
The lobby looks much the same as the last time Darke Hall welcomed patrons in 2016.
A lot of work has already been done to the outside, said Youck.
“The restoration of the doors and the stained glass at the front. We’ve restored windows upstairs. The brick has been repointed around the majority of the building. The front steps ... have been completely rebuilt, and they ’re brand new,” said Youck.
“We took the slate tiles off (the roof), reused the ones that we could, replaced the ones that we couldn’t, put new copper flashings all over the roof, but put a modern roof system underneath it so it’ll last for another hundred years.”
Timmons said the university will put a call out to residents for ideas of artists to perform during a week of opening celebrations.