Regina, Saskatchewan — The weekend of November 7 marked an important milestone for the construction project of Saskatchewan’s future Maison de la Francophonie in Regina. Present at the Rendez-vous Fransaskois, an event focused on philanthropy this year, we had the opportunity to host an information booth to present the progress of the work, answer numerous questions from the public, and unveil the first architectural sketches of the future Maison.
Throughout the weekend, community members, partners, and curious visitors came to learn more and share their impressions. The discussions were rich and hopeful for this collective project. A tour of the building we are interested in was also organized to conclude the event. This tour confirmed that the building precisely meets the needs identified during consultations conducted over the past two years with the province’s Francophone community.
Commitment to better communication
Several visitors expressed a desire to be better informed about the progress of the project. Although some information could not be shared earlier due to non-disclosure obligations, we also believe it is important that members of the organizations involved in the project be better informed.
From now on, each new publication related to the project will be shared directly on the website and sent by email to partner organizations, which will be invited to disseminate the information to their members.
Questions about the feasibility of the project
We would like to reassure the community:
- At this stage, it is too early to present public figures, as negotiations with the seller of the building are still ongoing.
- Our accounting firm is actively working to validate all financial aspects.
- Over the past year, numerous market studies have been conducted for each of the areas planned for the future Maison. We have analyzed models in Canada, identified best practices and advantages, assessed risks, and surveyed 15 other Centres and Maisons de la Francophonie across the country to understand their governance and operating mechanisms.
This project is based on solid expertise and a rigorous approach.
A carefully considered location to meet the needs of the community
Questions have been raised about the choice of location for the building, including the possibility of a rural setting. However, in order to ensure that the provincial mission of the project is fulfilled and that the needs expressed are met, it is unfortunately not feasible to locate the House in a rural area.
Accessibility is an essential criterion: the presence of public transportation, proximity to services, the movement of young people and families, the reception of newcomers, and the mobility of seniors all depend directly on it.
The Maison de la Francophonie is intended to be an open, welcoming, and lively place. To fully fulfill this role, an urban location remains essential.
A provincial project that will benefit all communities
Although located in Regina, Saskatchewan’s capital, the future Maison de la Francophonie will have a provincial reach. It will become:
- a central hub for services, collaborations, and partnerships;
- a gathering place for community innovation;
- a driver of cultural, educational, economic, and identity development for the entire province.
Its impact will not be limited to the capital. It will extend to all rural and urban communities through centers of excellence such as employability, immigration services, cultural and artistic development, and heritage. The Maison de la Francophonie will also lead to the development of partnerships at the provincial level and consolidate a range of attractive offerings that will draw more resources, funding, and services to the entire Francophone community in Saskatchewan.
The Maison de la Francophonie will be a collective lever, whose benefits will be felt throughout the Fransaskois network, both urban and rural.
Next steps
In the coming weeks, several documents demonstrating the feasibility of the project will be made public on our website. Each time a document is published:
- a notice will be sent to organizations;
- members will be invited to review the information;
- opportunities to ask questions and participate in the process will be provided.
We thank everyone who participated, expressed concerns, or offered their support during this important weekend.
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For further information:
Karine Silva
Alexandre Chartier
Co-Project Managers
info@maisondelafrancophonie.ca
www.maisondelafrancophonie.ca
