U of Sask. to demolish architecturally significant seminary buildings

A seminary building that has historical significance on the University of Saskatchewan campus is going to be torn down.

The Lutheran Theological Seminary Building and a former student residence next door have been vacant for the past five years and have fallen into disrepair.

Wade Epp, associate vice-president of campus operations, said the buildings had deteriorated too much to be saved.

Structural issues including a collapsed roof, flooding and the failure of its electrical transformer, along with the age of the buildings, were major factors in the decision, Epp said.

"Hazardous materials — including asbestos, the condition of the roof, etc. — it was significant and a third party suggested between $55 million and $60 million to make it operable," he said.

"There was a concern for safety due to what I'll call unauthorized access. There was indications of three fires within the space [and] extensive vandalism throughout."

The university said it's security service responded to more than 160 security calls to those buildings.

Advocates who want the buildings saved say they're one of the best examples of late-modern architecture in this country.

Built in 1968, it is listed on the university's internal heritage registry, meaning the school has recognized its historical significance.

It was designed by John Holliday-Scott, who also designed the law/commerce building and the dentistry building on campus.

The building is owned by the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Saskatoon.

Holliday-Scott, 91, attended a meeting about the proposed demolition late last year and expressed his disappointment at the plan.

"I was really upset," he said. "I was disappointed because I thought the building was important to the university and thus to the province. I was sorry that they didn't make a greater effort to retain it."

The university board received five proposals to help fund restoration of the seminary, but Epp said none were financially viable.

Alan Wallace, the city's former director of planning and now planning director for Wallace Insights, said the university had little choice given the state of the buildings.

He said the decisions had to be made quickly, rather than have the building be vacant for five years.

"It's sad to see, but I think that's the reality," Wallace said.

"Buildings can't sit vacant for very long.… It becomes a security issue. The other thing affecting this building is it's kind of in a remote location on the campus as well.

"It's not in a prominent location which would would yield to any sort of an economic value."

The demolition is expected to happen in the next few months. Tenders for the job will be put out in the next month.

The university's core master plan includes that area reverting back to green space.