Conexus looking to have solar-ready infrastructure when Wascana HQ opens

The building will contain public spaces and have sustainability features such as solar power.

Construction expected to wrap up some time in 2020

CBC News Posted: Aug 22, 2018 6:51 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 23, 2018

Pictured in the foreground is the new Conexus building, which will house the business incubator, and head offices. Darke Hall and the College Avenue campus can be seen in the background. (Supplied/P3A )

Plans for the new Conexus Credit Unionheadquarters in Wascana Park and therenovation to nearbyDarke Hall were unveiled at a news conference in Regina Wednesday.

In addition to Conexus' head office, the new building will house a business incubator, serve as an accessible entrance to a renovated Darke Hall and have indoor and outdoor public spaces.

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The business incubator in Darke Hall will allow small business ideas to be pitched and then for entrepreneurs to receive support from mentors, as well as venture capital.

Conexus said the space will be built with sustainability in mind. It ishoping to have all the infrastructure ready for solar power by the time of completion of construction, which is expected in 2020.

Conexuswill contribute up to $8.25 million directly to the University of Regina (U of R), to be used for the College Avenue Campus renewal. Building the head office next to DarkeHall will allow shared infrastructure costs to be offset by an additional $10 million for the University.

Here, the building is seen from the south. (Supplied/P3A)

"We've just tried to be really sensitive that if the University needs our help, can we do this in a way that brings tremendous community benefits?" saidEric Dillon, CEO of ConexusCredit Union.

"Our view is, we want to build a park that we can use, and a Wascana Centre that will be available to all citizens for a very long time."

The accessible link between Darke Hall and the new Conexus building can be seen in this photo. (Submitted/P3A)

University of Regina presidentVianneTimmons said the total cost of the College Avenue Campus restoration is $67 million, with the DarkeHall renosbeing an additional $13 million.

'It was a critical time'

Timmonsalso said the situation was make or break for the deteriorating buildings.

"It was a critical time in terms of the life of the buildings. We did not have a choice," she said.

"It was either tear them down, or spend some money on them and thank goodness Conexusstepped up."

The renovations and new construction will have DarkeHall up to new building codes andhave it be accessible.

A rendering of the inside of the new Conexus building. (Submitted/P3A)

Protests

The project has received criticism from groups concerned about business in the park.

There are concerns about commercialization and the removal of trees. Dillon said that for every tree that could not be simply relocated, they will be planting others throughout the park.

As for the commercialization aspect, Dillon said the community space that can be used by everyone.

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