June 2, 2015 – The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) has recognized the 101 year-old powerhouse on Wascana Lake in Regina, Sask. (now home to SaskPower’s research facility and the Saskatchewan Science Centre) as an Historic Civil Engineering Site.

“We’re equally excited and honoured for this recognition of a special piece of SaskPower and the City of Regina’s history,” said Mike Marsh, SaskPower president and CEO. “The former powerhouse contributed greatly to Regina’s growth and prosperity for decades, beginning over 100 years ago. Today, that same building gives back to the community by fostering imagination and discovery as the Saskatchewan Science Centre.”

Originally constructed by the Regina Light and Power Company in 1914, the powerhouse was at the time the main electrical supply for the City of Regina and the first coal-fired plant in the area. The city sold the powerhouse to the Saskatchewan Power Corporation (now SaskPower) in 1965. SaskPower phased the plant out of operation and shut it down completely in October 1978. It began its second life as the Saskatchewan Science Centre in 1989, a combination research and science education centre.

“CSCE is particularly impressed by the way SaskPower and its partners have transformed a historic piece of infrastructure into a vibrant cultural and scientific centre, which in other circumstances might have been demolished” said Reg Andres, president of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. “This kind of transformative innovation is an example of what we call sustainable infrastructure—infrastructure which adapts to the changing needs of society.”