Saskatoon Theatre Centre
Registered Name: SASKATOON SUMMER PLAYERS
Business No: 119141372RR0001
This organization is designated by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a registered charity. They comply with the CRA's requirements and has been issued a charitable registration number.
Saskatoon Summer Players (SSP) is seeking funding to support a new community theatre space retrofitted at the former Saskatoon Transit Centre site. In October 2024, SSP placed a deposit to purchase Unit 111 at the former transit site, now renamed Caswell Bus Barns. The Theatre Centre will include a 200-seat black box theatre, two rehearsal halls, a voice studio, a sewing and costume design studio, fabrication workshops for props and sets, and administrative offices for up to five theatre companies. There will also be additional hot desk spaces for smaller companies and artists. A shared creative inventory centre will allow organizations to pool resources like set materials, costumes, and technical equipment, reducing costs and fostering collaboration.
For the creation of the theatre centre, SSP will prioritize sustainability and accessibility. High-efficiency LED lighting, energy-saving windows, and upgraded insulation will be installed to reduce energy consumption and enhance comfort for performers and audiences. The facility will also feature solar panels and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems to align with Canada’s climate action goals, contributing to long-term operational savings.
The Rick Hansen Foundation and performers with accessibility needs will be consulted to ensure full accessibility, including accessible restrooms, backstage areas, and second-floor offices with elevator access.
Long term, the theatre community will save money by pooling resources, allowing them to allocate more funds toward programming and artist support. The new facility will become a dynamic hub for performing arts, offering affordable, accessible spaces that engage a wide range of artists and audiences, enriching Saskatoon’s cultural landscape.
By bringing in key partners to a single theatre centre, SSP will foster collaboration among multiple organizations and provide shared resources such as costumes and technical equipment.
The new facility will be fully accessible and programming will engage marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, LGBTQ2+ individuals, and newcomers.