Canada-Saskatchewan Soundstage
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The Canada-Saskatchewan Soundstage is located in Regina, Saskatchewan at the corner of College Avenue and Broad Street, and is at the site of the former Normal School.
The Regina Normal School was first established in 1911 by the Methodist Church of Canada. The stately heritage building on College Avenue was built in 1913 and used for training Saskatchewan teachers. By 1929 a women's residence and a gymnasium were completed. The depression of the 1930's brought with it financial constraints and the church then transferred the college to the University of Saskatchewan. It was used by the University of Regina Fine Arts Department from 1970 until new facilities at the main campus led to closing the building.
In the mid 1990s, the Government of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina and the Saskatchewan Film Industry went into partnership and redesigned the building. The building was gutted, leaving the north, east and part of the west walls, then rebuilt to become the Soundstage.
The Canada-Saskatchewan Soundstage has 4 sound stages which have the capacity to film feature length movies, television sitcoms or any other needs of the media industry.
The hit CTV sitcom Corner Gas is filmed in part in this building.
The building is approximately 82,000 square feet with three separate sound stages, from 7,000 to 15,000 square feet. Carpentry, makeup, wardrobe, & other production facilities are also located on site.
The sound stage connects to the CBC Broadcasting Centre, allowing for easy access to their facilities and equipment.
The building has housed many uses:
- 1913-1940: Normal School (Teacher Training)
- 1940-1944: RCAF Training Programs
- 1945-1959: Various government uses, Health Programs & Provincial Museum (now the Royal Saskatchewan Museum)
- 1959-1964: Teacher's College
- 1964-1969: University of Saskatchewan Regina Campus, teacher-training
- 1970-199?: University of Regina Fine Arts
- 2001: Construction of sound stage
