Saskatoon’s Persephone Theatre in ‘dire need’ of new roof

A Saskatoon theatre is in desperate need of renovations.

According to Breanne Harmon, executive director of Persephone Theatre, the theatre is in “dire need” of a new roof. Harmon said it’s created a number of challenges, including constant leaking and pooling when snow or rain gathers on the roof. She said it’s been an ongoing issue since the building’s early days.

“We’ve done continual patching for over a decade, and it’s gotten to the point where no amount of patching can keep the roof from leaking,” she said, adding the water ends up on the theatre’s stage, seats, and in the wardrobe space.

Typically, flat roofs such as Persephone’s – which was built in 2007 – have a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years, Harmon explained.

“Unfortunately, it just hit the end of its useful life earlier than we had hoped,” she said.

The replacement project is set to begin at the end of this month, and the organization is looking for help covering the cost.

Harmon said the price tag for the roof replacement will be around $2 million. A donation of $300,000 from Malcolm and Marilyn Leggett, who have been involved with the theatre for over two decades, helped kickstart the project.

Harmon said the theatre also has help from the City of Saskatoon’s Cultural Infrastructure Fund, which will cover the first portion of the roof replacement.

She added that the organization is looking to both the federal and provincial governments for support.

“We’re also looking to our community,” she added. “Any donation, any size, plays a crucial role in sharing the success of this vital project.”

Harmon said the roof replacement will be done in phases to help minimize any disruption for the communities that access and rely on the space. Construction on the new roof will begin the final week of June, right after the musical theatre group Saskatoon Summer Players uses the space.

This fall, Persephone Theatre will be entering its 50th season.