The Saskatchewan legislative assembly is finally back to business following the April 4 general provincial election.
The throne speech has been delivered with the expectations of June 1 provincial budget.
Mixed in with these events, was the partial unveiling of the refurbished Saskatchewan Legislative building with a public peek of the newly restored copper dome.
The vinyl covering that was in place during the rehabilitation of the province’s historic landmark was dropped during a public unveiling ceremony on the evening of May 16, which was followed by the lighting up of the copper dome.
The building and dome had been under cover for nearly two years while the $21 million restoration work took place.
The dome is now outfitted in new, reflective copper which will shine brightly, at least for awhile, until it will again change into a darker, yet still impressive version.
The renovation work included repairs and replacement of the dome’s limestone, mortar and water management system.
“Our magnificent Legislative building is a source of great pride for the people of Saskatchewan,” said Lieutenant-Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield. “I am grateful to the Government of Saskatchewan for choosing to restore and preserve it for generations to come.”
The building’s dome suffered extensive damage in its 100-year plus existence, due to water leaks, ice damming and drastic changes in temperatures. Restoration was needed to preserve the building and ensure its structural safety, to continue to operate as the seat of government in the province.
“This restoration project honours the legacy of Saskatchewan’s first premier, Walter Scott, and all those who worked with him to lay the foundation of modern Saskatchewan,” Premier Brad Wall said. “Premier Scott insisted that Saskatchewan should have a legislature that represented the character and ambition of its people. The dome shone brightly when the building opened in 1912, a symbol of the optimism, hope and high expectations that animated Saskatchewan in the early days. Today, the dome shines again, in a province where the future shines as brightly as it did a century ago, as brightly as it ever has.”
The shining, new appearance of the dome is temporary, and will not last into the future. Over the next several months, natural oxidization will change the dome to a brown and then black, returning it to its pre-restoration appearance.
While the project is substantially complete, some finishing touches will be made as the approximately 175,000-pound steel scaffolding built around the dome comes down. These touches cannot take place until the scaffolding is removed.
“We were honoured to lead this important project,” PCL district manager Sean Hamelin said. “Contributing to the restoration of this beautiful, emblematic building is truly special.”
The restoration that began in November of 2013, preserved the building’s unique decorative features including its ornate stone and copper elements. It was carried out in compliance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada and the Heritage Property Act.
