Despite delays, plans still in the works for new Regina Floral Conservatory building
Board plans to meet with government to talk funding, procure building site
Plans for a new building for the Regina Floral Conservatory are still underway, despite a delay in fundraising and a massive increase in building costs.
The conservatory has been at its current location on Fourth Avenue, north of Regina's Warehouse District, since the early 1990s. But it has been in need of a new building for around 15 years.
Its current building is about 60 years old and is showing its age. Condensation from the greenhouse's glass panels dripping onto visitors is just one of the structural issues.
It's also outgrown the space, according to Ron Sharpe, the vice-president of the conservatory's board.
"We've had over 3,000 school-aged children here each year," said Sharpe. "And in our back room, we … don't even have room for them anymore. We would like to have more programs but we don't have the space."
A design for a new 26,000-square-foot building near Wascana Park's Arboretum, off of Old Broad Street, was unveiled in 2019, with a plan to start construction between 2023 and 2027.
A major fundraising campaign — seeking individual and corporate donations, as well as funding from all levels of government — was also slated to start in 2019.
But the pandemic put a temporary halt to those plans, when the conservatory was forced to close for 18 months.
That also put a dent in its revenue, which is generated by donations at admission.
Inflation drastically increased the cost to build the facility — from an estimated $29 million in 2019 to around $55 million in 2024.
Jolene Norleen, a conservatory board member, said the design is now being looked over to find places where costs can be trimmed — such as using different building materials, or downsizing greenhouse and multipurpose spaces.
She said major fundraising will ramp up again once the land is officially procured in Wascana Park. The board hopes it can start talks with the province and City of Regina on funding and potential ownership of the new space in the coming weeks.
"Across Canada, just about all the conservatories are either owned by the city or owned by the [provincial] government," said Norlene. "So that's our hope that we will follow suit."
Space well-used for events and groups
Sharpe said the conservatory is often booked during its operating months between September and June for weddings, memorials and other gatherings. Around 20,000 people come through the building each year, with visitors from dozens of countries.
It's also used once a month for a yoga class, taught by Pamela Kovacs.
Kovacs said admission to her class is by donation, which goes toward the new conservatory project. She said about $4,000 has been raised since her class began in November 2022.
She said the current building is a bit small for the approximately 30 yoga attendees.
"We work around the plants and the display and we do have some drips from the ceiling that I warn people about," she said. "It's just aging out of its purpose and use."
Visitors are also interested in what a new space could offer.
Regina resident Jane Gattinger hopes parking will be just as accessible.
"If it's anything like this, I'm sure it will be very welcomed," she said.
Gattinger and her 90-year-old mother often visit the space. She said it's a "highlight" for her mother.
"Every time I've brought her here, she's perked up for a couple of days after, talking about it for a whole week," she said.
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