Renewal Project UPDATESJanuary 6, 2010The renewal project is now complete and Wanuskewin Heritage Park is open to the general public. Wanuskewin Heritage Park has completed the first phase of its Renewal Project, having accomplished the funding of $5.6 million from both Federal and Provincial funding agencies. There have been many renovations and additions to the original structure such as the moving of the restaurant, a new 60 seat theatre, a 40 foot projection wall and a new 2500 square foot exhibit hall. Part of the renewal includes 37 short films that are based on several traditional and cultural themes of the Northern Plains people that include one on Wanuskewin and other similar sacred sites, the Pow-Wow and its different dance styles, and many more. Wanuskewin Heritage Park is open 7 days a week from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Come and experience a restored, refreshed and revitalized Wanuskewin Heritage Park. July 17, 2009Construction is coming along with the renewal project. Due to the challenges with the construction Wanuskewin Heritage park is still closed to the general public. The opening will be in phases so watch for details on the opening and what will be unveiled. For more information please call 306-931-6767 or call toll-free at 1-877-547-6546. February 3, 2009 Wanuskewin Heritage Park is under full swing with the construction project. Graham Construction returned in November and really go things under way after Christmas. Things are going according to plan and we should start to see changes here at the Park. We are still anticipating opening in the spring of 2009 but please keep posted for future updates. November 10, 2008Wanuskewin Heritage Park receives $2.8 million in support. The funding will enable Wanuskewin Heritage Park to complete phase one of the capital renewal project that was put on hold earlier this year. A great deal of work needs to be done to get things ready for Graham Construction to come back so staff will be working diligently over the coming weeks and months to prepare for the kitchen, restaurant and gallery renovations; to catalogue and properly store all artifacts; to groom and maintain trails and significant outdoor sites at the park; to re-configure exhibits and displays; and to review, renew and revamp all programs. Meetings will take place with the school divisions, and the University of Saskatchewan in order to ensure that the archaeological and aboriginal awareness programs offered are curriculum-based, and relevant to school groups, tourists, and the general visiting public. Work will also continue with fundraising for operational and exhibit development purposes. Restaurant, banquet, and meeting facilities will be unavailable during construcition. However, bookings for cultural services such as the Wanuskewin International Dance Troupe will continue to be available, as will the WHP School Out-Reach programs. We will also continue to provide access for First Nations to the WHP Sweat Lodge. Bookings for general tours and meeting room facilities will be accepted once again in early 2009. The public's cooperation and patience during this construction period will be greatly appreciated. See you again in 2009!!! October 24, 2008Wanuskewin Heritage Park is still in operation but the construction project has been temporarliy stopped. We are hoping to get the construction started up again so we can complete the project. Check back to see the progess of the project. March 30, 2008Wanuskewin Heritage Park will remain open during the time period of March 31, 2008 - April 14, 2008. There has been a change of plans in the closer at this time. Check back again for more updates. We will update this again when we have the new dates for the old restaurant closer, the new floor going in and other updates. March 23, 2008Continuing with construction at Wanuskewin, the Park will be closed from March 31, 2008 - April 14, 2008 so a new floor can be put down in the open area. Due to the type of floor there can be no foot traffic in that area for the two weeks the Park will be closed to the general public. The new restaurant is coming together nicely and the old kitchen will be dismantled on Wednesday March 26, 2008 so everything can be moved over to the new kitchen. This is an exciting time for Wanuskewin Heritage Park because this will bring a new look to the Park but still provide the cultural information that was always intended for the Park. March 4, 2008The construction at the Park has been on track since it began. Everything is going according to plan and we are continuing with exciting times at Wanuskewin. The new restaurant, gift shop, and exhibtion gallery are beginning to take shape. The work is continuing in the administration area with plans to move into that area in the later part of the spring. Keep checking for more updates on the construction development at the Park. December 12, 2007The Administration Department has been relocated to the operations area and the demolition has begun in the administration office. We will be expanding the administration offices to include the majority of the staff. There will be work on the new meeting room that will join on to the Paskwaw Room. Everything has been taken down in the old exhibit hall, theatre, and archaeology lab in which that area will become the new restaurant, gift shop, and temporary exhibit gallery. Due to the changes that have taken place the Wanuskewin staff have truly become a close working family. It is exciting watching the changes taking place and we are all eagerly anticipating the next step in this whole renewal process. Since we are approaching the Christmas season the next update will not come until the new year and then we will all be surprised as to the changes for the Graham Construction crew will be working over the holidays. November 28, 2007
Construction is really progressing at the Park. The exhibit hall and theatre have now been taken apart and construction has begun on the new restaurant. The windows are now in place in the new restaurant and it is beginning to take shape. The present restaurant and gift shop are still in operation and open. Our visitors can still view the DVD presentation and see some of the artifacts that were in the exhibit hall. We have also placed the computers in the open area so people can still learn about First Nations traditions. October 24, 2007The Main Exhibit Hall has now been taken apart to get ready for the next phase of the renewal project. Renewal Project Plan October 15, 2007The time has come and construction has begun. Graham Construction moved in on Monday October 1, 2007 and started to 'break ground'. They have started to dig the area where the new administration wing will be and then will work on where the third and adjoining meeting room will be. They have also been doing work where the old archaeology lab/classroom area was and then started construction on the new location of the restaurant. BackgroundIn 2003, after the public opening, the Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority committed to the development and renewal of the Park Visitor Centre, most notable the exhibit spaces. The purpose of this redevelopment is to enusre that Wanuskewin Heritage Park continues to play a leadership role in the interpretation and celebration of First Nations culture. In addition, this renewal project is intended to raise the Park's community profile, increase attendance and earned revenues and thereby contribute to the Park's long term sustainability. Along with the Building Project Renewal, the Park has acquired three quarter sections of land adjacent to the Park on which we plan to pasture our bison herd, which is currently at Wahpeton Dakota Nation. As well, in order to ensure our future financial stability we have put a Legacy Foundation plan into place. The total costs are outlined below. EXHIBITION/BUILDING RENEWAL: $ 6,500,000 LEGACY FUND: $ 3,000,000 LAND AND BISON PROJECT: $ 700,000 OVERALL PROJECT COSTS: $10,200,000 The goal is to have a completely renewed facility by 2008 and will be a must see for all. For more information on the renewal project please contact the Park at 306-931-6767 or email renewal@wanuskewin.com |
