Saskatchewan

$4M announced for University of Regina Darke Hall upgrade

Historic Darke Hall, on the University of Regina's College Avenue campus, is getting a $4 million facelift.

Roof, brick, windows, exterior stone to be refurbished

Darke Hall, one of the U of R buildings on College Avenue, retains much of its original heritage character. (CBC)

Historic Darke Hall, on the University of Regina's College Avenue campus, is getting a $4-million facelift.

The pipe organ and plush red seats are among the distinctive features of the interior of Darke Hall on the University of Regina's College Avenue campus in Regina. (CBC)

That includes $1 million to make the concert venue more accessible to people with disabilities and $3 million to refurbish the exterior of the 87-year-old structure.

The $1 million comes from an anonymous donor who wanted it used to improve accessibility while the $3 million comes out of a special fund to upgrade the campus, U of R president Vianne Timmons said.

Some exterior work could begin this fall, while more construction is set for the spring.

What's planned is the repair or replacement of the main exterior, the roof, brick, stone cladding and windows. 

The work is scheduled be completed in the fall of 2017.