Both a Regina building under construction and the YWCA employees inside it were bright and sunny Tuesday morning, as they took members of the media on tours through the new Kikaskihtânaw Centre for Women and Families. The building, now in its late phase of construction, will function as a domestic violence and homeless shelter for women and children, as well as a community hub with outreach, child care and other wrap-around services at the former Victoria School site between Rae Street and Retallack Street, just south of 12th Avenue. Work on the building began in 2022 , and YWCA Regina CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen said the centre will open in September.
However, that means the YWCA faces an eight-week time crunch to raise the remaining $4.5 million needed to fully complete its vision. The project was initially pegged at $54 million and, at the time of the sod-turning, was considered fully funded.
However, total costs have risen to $70 million due in part to inflation. YWCA Regina faces $4.5M shortfall for new facility meant to help women and children Still, Coomber-Bendtsen was proud to show off the various rooms in the sprawling 97,000-square-foot building in Regina's Cathedral neighbourhood, which is 85 per cent built.
'An act of reconciliation' The facility has a healing and sweat lodge in an outdoor space at the centre of the building site, which can be viewed through large windows from the inside. "It brings a sense of hope and healing to the people that we serve, and .
