Another beautiful old building in the Nutana neighbourhood. The
cache contains only a log so please bring your own pen. At times
muggle traffic can be quite high so please use your best
stealth
Nutana Collegiate
The MCMIX over the doorway of the Nutana Collegiate tells us that
this first city collegiate was built in 1909. While many additions
have expanded its size, its impressive French Renaissance front
façade is still visible. A gymnasium was originally located in the
basement and an auditorium with a stage is still located on the top
floor. There was also a drinking fountain in every classroom -
likely a big disappointment for school trouble-makers who lost a
handy excuse to leave the room! A very impressive collection of
Canadian art is contained in the library and hallways as a memorial
to staff and students killed in the two world wars.
Originally named the Saskatoon Collegiate Institute, its present
name was adopted in 1923 with the opening of Saskatoon's second
high school, Bedford Road Collegiate. In 2007 Nutana was designated
a Canadian Academy of Travel & Tourism school, the first in the
province of Saskatchewan.
Louise Grounds
Nutana Collegiate's playing field is all that is left of two whole
blocks set aside as public space in the original Temperance Colony
plan. It served as the site for Saskatoon 's agricultural
exhibition from 1886 to 1897. Prizes at the first exhibition ranged
from 50 cents for the best darned sock and best patched pants,
through to a $1.00 prize won by a Mr. Charles Kusch for his
trotting ox! The event moved to the west side of the river for a
time, but eventually settled into its existing location on the
south edge of the city. Baseball diamonds and a bandshell later
occupied the site before the Collegiate was built. Be sure to check
out the heritage plaque at the corner of the field.