Respected philanthropist, volunteer and patron of the arts in Regina, Ann Phillips (Q.C.) today announced a transformational gift of up to $1.5 million for the University of Regina to support the ongoing Darke Hall renovation project.
The donation comes from the Ann and Roger Phillips Foundation and will take the form of a $1 million dollar outright gift along with a $500,000 matching pledge, which means the Phillips foundation will match any future donations earmarked for the Saving Darke Hall campaign, up to an additional half-million dollars. To date, that total is $51,300.
Historic Darke Hall was originally constructed in 1929 on the Regina Campus. It is currently closed as it undergoes renovations as part of the College Avenue Campus Renewal Project. It is scheduled to reopen in early 2021 as a 500 seat, fully-accessible, cultural hub for performance, theatre, dance and music in Regina. $11.64 million has been raised so far for the CAC Renewal project, just short of the overall fundraising goal of $12.25 million dollars needed to complete the project.
“Arts, culture and performance have been an integral part of my family’s life in Regina, and a lifelong passion,” says Ann Phillips. “To have the opportunity to be part of the rebirth of Darke Hall as a home for the arts in Regina is a privilege. I encourage anyone who shares that passion to join us in supporting this project.”
To date, Darke Hall has undergone significant repairs to the roof and upgrades to the exterior. The Phillips donation will allow restoration work to continue on the interior. The Saving Darke Hall campaign is committed to retaining the historical and heritage attributes of this storied building.
“A gift of this magnitude is truly transformational for the University of Regina and the Darke Hall project,” says Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina. “Helping to restore Darke Hall to its former role as Saskatchewan’s premier historic performance venue is a tribute to the Phillips family and to the memory of Roger Phillips who was such an important part of our community for so many years. We cannot thank the Phillips family enough for their generous support.”
The donation is being provided through the Ann and Roger Phillips Foundation. Ann’s late husband Roger, who passed away in 2013, was well known for his community involvement while serving as President and CEO of IPSCO (now Evraz Regina). Ann enjoyed a successful career as a respected lawyer. As a tireless volunteer, she has been instrumental in the growth of Opera Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Book Awards. In 2004 she was awarded the Sask Culture Volunteer Award for Culture. Ann also holds an honorary degree from the University of Regina.
