Since 1959 the Moose Jaw Civic Centre has towered over Main Street North, a symbol of the innovative architectural design of Joseph Pettick.
And it is the unique look of this iconic local structure that developers of Civic Centre Plaza aim to honour and, in some sense, mimic with the major retail development project announced in front of the former home of the Warriors on Tuesday morning.
“I’ve always loved this shape,” Rodney Ziegler, Walker projects Inc. building design division manager, said of the Civic Centre during the public announcement of the project that will result in demolition of the 52-year-old rink, and construction of a scaled down (and non-concaved roof) replica of that building to the north, overlooking the golf courses.
“It’s a new twist on an iconic shape.”
Tuesday’s announcement was attended by numerous Moose Javians, either interested in the project or possibly taking advantage of the free donuts made available.
Representing Civic Centre Plaza Inc., Colliers International vice-president and broker Bill Babey said he is excited to bring this project to the Friendly City. He said the City of Moose Jaw felt it important to somehow recognize the Civic Centre when taking bids from those interested in purchasing and developing the property.
He told media the developer had wanted to honour that wish of the city by somehow maintaining some of the current Civic Centre building. However, he said, that just wasn’t possible.
“We visited that, but couldn’t make it economically viable.”
According to Ziegler, the retail development would consist of a primary structure honouring the shape and feel of the Civic Centre. He said there would also be three other strip structures and one stand alone bank building. He said elements of the Civic Centre theme would be present within all the structures.
That guy, how do you know what it looks or feels like when it was built? Atleast the developers of this project are atleast paying a tribute to the structure, and like he said. "They'd love to use the existing building but couldn't come up with a good idea economically." Until it's built nobody will know what the insides will look like. For all we know there might be more things included within the structure in and out that will also pay tribute.