The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan on Wednesday received a $1-million donation from the McClocklins, a well-known family in Saskatoon and a fixture of the city’s real estate business.

Tom McClocklin Jr., who was at the Mendel for the announcement and spoke on behalf of his parents Diane and Tom McClocklin Sr., said the investment comes at a time when the city is growing and is a tribute to the generosity of its citizens.

“The community of Saskatoon has been very good to our family. We have deep, longstanding roots in Saskatoon and so my parents felt that this was a very important,” said McClocklin Jr.

As the city continues to grow and becomes a magnet for tourists from across the globe, it’s important that Saskatoon nourishes it’s arts and culture sector, said McClocklin Jr., who is also the president and a broker at Colliers International.

“(The Remai) reflects Saskatoon moving forward in a significant way to a new level of metropolitan endeavour.”

McClocklin Jr.’s comments were echoed by Mayor Don Atchison, who was also at the event.

Saskatoon is known as the volunteer capital of Canada and so this “generous” gift speaks volumes of the McClocklins, he said. “It’s about the community” and ensuring that the city has the cultural facilities it needs as it matures, said Atchison.

In honour of the donation, the $71-million art gallery will name its atrium after the McClocklins.

“We are very grateful to the McClocklins for their generosity, their leadership, and their vision,” said the chair of capital campaign for the gallery in a news release. “Their significant donation is an important landmark in the capital campaign,” said Doug Hodson.

The future art space, which will be located on River Landing, will be three times the size of the Mendel and will house travelling as well as a civic collection of more than 7,000 art pieces valued at $16-million.

The Remai is set to open in 2015.

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