Wilson School

Description of the Historic Place

Wilson School is a large, four storey brick and glass building located in the neighbourhood of City Park at 902 7th Avenue North. Constructed in 1927, the former school underwent a recent two-year renovation and expansion project. Wilson School was the last remaining elementary school in the neighbourhood up until its closure. 

Heritage Value

The heritage value of Wilson School resides in its association with education in Saskatoon’s early beginnings. Designed by local architect John M. Morrison, the school opened in 1928. It was built of reinforced concrete with brick trim, contained 16 classrooms, a domestic science room, a large assembly hall, recreation rooms, lavatories, a principal’s room, nurses’ room, teachers’ room and a kitchen. The school was named in honour of James R. Wilson, a Saskatoon Public School Board member.    

Prior to the 1980s, the neighbourhood of City Park had two elementary schools King Edward School (located at 25th Street and 6th Avenue North) was demolished in 1980 following a fire; and, Wilson School (located at Duke Street and 7th Avenue North) eventually closed in 1993. Wilson School was purchased by the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) in 1994 for use for their Saskatoon campus.  After operating from 1994 to 2010, FNUC made the decision to close its Saskatoon campus.

In February 2011, Affinity Credit Union acquired the former First Nations University for redevelopment into their new head office.  Extensive renovations were conducted between 2012 and 2013 including a 4th level addition as well as a glass front entry on the north side of the building. The renovations were sympathetic to the existing character of the building, and in 2014 the building received the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Heritage Excellence Award for Adaptive Reuse. Affinity Credit Union was also honoured under the City's Heritage Awards Program. To help foster a sense of community 1,000 native plants, trees and shrubs were planted on the site and the fruit trees which line the perimeter are freely accessible to local residents. The property owners also provide access to the on-site ice rink complete with a newly-constructed rink shack.

Wilson School continues to be an important historical feature in City Park neighbourhood.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

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

• Its unique architectural elements, evident in: its brick façade, parapet roofline, heavy sills and modillions;
• Those features that relate to its historical value including the Wilson School plaque and Tyndall stone benches (repurposed from the original school’s steps); and
• Those features that relate to its cultural importance including the community ice rink and rink shack.