Kiwanis Memorial Park

Description of the Historic Place

Kiwanis Memorial Park is an urban park located in downtown Saskatoon. It encompasses 14 acres of the South Saskatchewan riverbank area between the University Bridge and the Broadway Bridge. In addition to its natural beauty, the park features memorials, monuments and public art installations, and surrounds the historic Bessborough Hotel.

Heritage Value

From 1907 to 1912, ashes from a local power plant were hauled to the area now known as Kiwanis Memorial Park. Local contractors were encouraged to dispose of their excess fill there from the time of Saskatoon’s first building boom in 1911 until the thirties. In 1935, using funds from the CNR as part of an agreement for the creation of the Bessborough Hotel; the dumpsite was transformed into a park site. Kiwanis Memorial Park was officially constructed in 1935, and was created to honor and remember many local and national historical events. The park was named after the Saskatoon Kiwanis Club – a local community service organization. Throughout the years many monuments, memorials, and public art features have been constructed in the Kiwanis Memorial Park including the following:

South African (Boer) War Commemoration Plaque (1899 - 1902);

The Vimy Memorial Band Stand (erected in 1937) to honor Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Vimy Ridge;

The Memorial Fountain of Youth (erected in 1947) to commemorate those killed in World War II;

Korean War Commemoration Plaque (1950-1953);

The Thompson Belvedere Memorial (erected in 1971) in honour of the Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, Wing Commander R.W. (Bobby) Thompson, who was killed in a flying accident at Buffalo Pound Lake in 1972;

The Century 100 Capsule (erected in 1982) to celebrate the founding of Saskatoon in 1882;

The Spirit of Youth sculpture (erected in 1989) to commemorate the 1989 Jeux Canada Summer Games;

The Clock Tower (erected in 1989) a souvenir of the 1989 Jeux Canada Summer Games; and

The Ramon John Hnatyshyn statue (erected in 1992) to recognize the 125th anniversary of Confederation and the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Saskatchewan;

Today Kiwanis Memorial Park is visited by thousands of people yearly. It hosts several festivals in the spring and summer including Taste of Saskatchewan, Pets in the Park and the Children's festival. An added attraction to the park during the winter is the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink located adjacent to the Bessborugh Hotel.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those elements that reflect its historical and cultural importance including its natural features, monuments, memorials and public art installations.