The Lutheran Theological Seminary at 114 Seminary Crescent was designed by John Holliday-Scott of Holliday-Scott and Paine Architects and constructed in 1968 on the riverbank of the University of Saskatchewan Campus.  In 2013 the building was designated an A-listed heritage asset in the University of Saskatchewan Heritage Register.  Vacated in 2020, the building sat vacant and fell victim to vandalism for several years.

In 2024, the University of Saskatchewan issued a request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to identify potential uses for the building.  Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) answered the call with a visionary proposal to use the building as an Indigenous Centre of Excellence to provide wraparound support services for Indigenous students to aid their post secondary educational journey.  Indigenous students often face increased barriers to post secondary educational attainment due to lack of appropriate and affordable housing options, higher rates of young parenthood and the difficult transition from their home community to the University.  This proposal seeks to change the building from an institution for Lutheran education to a home for Indigenous education.  The location of the complex places it in the natural setting of the riverbank and puts forth the opportunity to create an Urban Learning Reserve within walking distance to the University of Saskatchewan and the new Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus north east of the University.  A direct Zoning Bylaw and National Building Code fit, the use of the building would not effectively change nor would its layout.  The facility is proposed to house:

• Up to 99 beds dedicated to housing Indigenous students (67 at the Seminary and 32 at adjacent Ogle Hall)
• Dedicated childcare to support young parents attending school
• An Elder in Residence to offer guidance, mentoring and comfort
• Ceremonial Space to practice ceremony and protocols and celebrate achievements
• An Centre for Indigenous Knowledge similar to other college dedicated libraries on campus
• Approximately 10 classrooms for study, provision of programming, classes and tutoring
• Dining facilities to provide nutritious meals and traditional cuisine
• Wellness facilities to practice personal health and fitness
• Offices for administration and programming

The project is strategically aligned with the following University of Saskatchewan documents:

• Mission, Vision & Values
• Indigenous Strategy | ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan | let’s fly up together
• University Plan 2025 | nīkānītān manācihitowinihk ni manachīhitoonaan | The University the World Needs

The Lutheran Theological Seminary offered to donate the building to support this vision, contingent upon the University of Saskatchewan’s approval; an Act of Reconciliation.  Of the estimated $21M renovation cost, the Saskatoon Tribal Council committed $2M and asked the University to divert the $4.5M that had previously been approved for the demolition of the building; 30% of the funding for this project was identified in the predesign phase.  STC committed to sourcing the remaining funding upon University approval of the project.

The University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors voted to demolish this building in April of 2025.

The full Expression of Interest can be accessed here.

Structural: BBK Engineering Ltd.

Mechanical: Daniels Wingerak Engineering Ltd.

Electrical: Loren Paley & Associates Engineering Ltd.

Planning: Prairie Wild Consulting Ltd.

Architectural Support: Bldg Studio Inc.

With support from:

Cheryl Avery, Crystal Bueckert,
Alyssa Chapman, Liz Chapman,
Vicki Chapman-Mager, Lynn Earle,
Jim Earle, Rev Richard Engel,
Mary Lou Freitag, Obert Friggstad,
Brandon Golding, Terry Hoknes,
Leslie Jen, Monica Kreuger, Megan
Krueger, Samantha Mark, Sharon
Miller, Michael Molaro, jake moore,
Luke Ryalls, Peggy Sarjeant, Peggy
Schmeiser, Susan Shantz, Barbara
Shawcross, Jim Siemens, Lenore
Swystun, Colin Tennent, John
Waddington, Andrew Wallace, Dan
Watson, Eric Westberg, Diane Wilson