REGINA – There’s a little less beauty and a little more construction at Saskatchewan’s historic legislative building lately.
A $15-million facelift of the iconic dome has left it hidden from the public – covered by a white, vinyl structure.
“This is one of those projects that’s really a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said project manager Jerrod Kueler, who gave Global News a behind-the-scenes look at the renewal.
The tour begins with climbing a few flights of stairs in the heat-controlled environment – kept at a balmy nine degrees Celsius in order to provide a more stable environment for workers and the heritage materials involved.
“We’re maintaining this … (so) it’ll stay here to view in another 100 years.”
Upon closer look at the building’s facade, it’s evident the repairs needed.
“With the building shifting over the previous 100 years, there has been some damage as the stone blocks settle,” Kueler said. “Pieces have kind of broken off.”
It’s a rare closeup of the intricate details found on the building’s Tyndall stone imported from Manitoba.
Over the years, water from the upper levels of the building has trickled down behind the stone, leaking out through the joints.
Many stones are labeled to identify its exact location and condition. Yellow means slightly better shape while red indicates a more deteriorated condition.
As you climb a level higher “there’s more damage done to the copper over the years,” Kueler said.
The hand-crafted copper dome is in rough shape in some places. Panels have loosened up along the years, allowing moisture in.
“We’ve removed some of the copper to get a better understanding of the conditions that are underneath,” Kueler said. “There’s some water damage to the layers below.”
SEE BELOW: Behind-the-scenes photos of the legislative building dome renewal
Much of the original framing and materials remain in place from 1912 when the building’s construction was completed.
The top of the dome also happens to have one of the best views in the city, overlooking the downtown Regina skyline.
Saskatchewan residents will finally have an unobstructed view of the dome when restoration is complete at the end of 2015.
“We’re maintaining this historical building in a state that’s safe and it’ll stay here to view in another 100 years.”
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