Two plaques on either side of the formal entrance to the old Regina City Hall, now the Old City Hall Mall, on the pedestrian Scarth Street Mall in downtown Regina, were unveiled by HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (Queen Elizabeth's cousin, not her son HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex), in 1994
These plaques honor a total of 20 individuals whose combined efforts were critical to the success of Regina in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The plaques read as follows:
"[L plaque]
His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Kent unveiled this tribute to the men and women who helped build Regina's downtown. Their legacy to our city is reflected in the renewal of the Scarth Street Mall officially opened this day, August 14, 1994
William G VanEgmond
1883-1949
Wesley Champ
1885-1943
A. w. (Bert) Hooper
1900-1981
Charles Willoughby
1857-1932
Otto Fuhrmann
1885-1958
Walter Perry Deiter
1916-1988
Catherine Simpson-Hayes
1856-1945
J. Alex MacKenzie
1892-1976
Jacob W. Smith
1851-1926
Thomas M. Molloy
1882-1959 the city is shaped not by bricks and mortar, but by the spirit and vision of its people. 1994
[R plaque]
A city is shaped not by bricks and mortar, but by the spirit and vision of its people. 1994
Henriette Forget
1853 – 1928
Walter H. A. Hill
1878 – 1972
Samuel Pearlman
1881 – 1953
Alexander J. McPhail
1883 – 1931
Peter Lamont
****-1941
George Kangles
1882 – 1974
Dr. Edward P Alport
1888 – 1949
Alex Aitken
1902 – 1989
Louis A. Thorton
1880 – 1971
Nicholas F. Dawin
1843 – 1901"
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent was Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin. Her father (Prince Albert, Duke of York, later King George VI) and the Duke of Kent's father (Prince George, Duke of Kent) were brothers, the second and fourth sons respectively of King George V and Queen Mary.
For more on the life and service of Prince George, Duke of Kent, see Wikipedia: (
visit link) and BritRoyals: (
visit link)
Information abut the Scarth Street mall is available here, and may offer a glimpse of the future: (
visit link)
"Revitalization project proposes opening Scarth Street Mall to cars
"It works well for what we have down there at the moment. So there's definitely no preconceived notion or desire to say that this is going to have vehicular access."
Alec Salloum
Published Dec 20, 2022
The current layout of the Scarth Street Mall — known officially as the F.W. Hill Mall — could be opened up to vehicles as the City of Regina looks to “revitalize” the pedestrian corridor.
In its current form, the cobblestone street connects 12th Avenue to 11th Avenue for foot traffic, but a request for proposals posted by the city asks prospective developers to consider opening the street up to cars.
In the wording of the document, the city wants to maintain the “current character and function” of the street as it is “important for the Downtown.” The project documents recognize the importance of the street adding “In the future, however, consideration should be given to allowing vehicular traffic through the mall, as a way to add much needed vibrancy and accessibility.”
Asked how cars along the Scarth Street Mall would contribute to the vibrancy of the downtown Chris Warren, the director of roadways and transportation, said there is a need to improve some infrastructure along the street but no firm decisions have been made.
“It works well for what we have down there at the moment. So there’s definitely no preconceived notion or desire to say that this is going to have vehicular access,” said Warren.
“This is definitely just something that is in the very early stages of a conversation.”.
Judith Veresuk, executive director Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID), said for businesses along the mall there are some concerns with access, specifically for Globe Theatre and for delivery drivers picking up orders from restaurants.
“We’re completely thrilled with this,” said Veresuk, saying the trees and cobblestones along the street are “at the end of their lifespan.”
“Anyone who walks on that street with high heels in the summer knows that that needs to be replaced,” she said.
Her hope for the street would see a single, slow-moving lane of traffic with limited parking spaces.
While there could be a lane for traffic, Veresuk said there should be a consideration to closing down the street at certain times to allow it to become a dedicated pedestrian avenue again.
“Do we keep it closed during the day and then open it up during the night in the evenings when the Globe’s operational when people are using Skip (the Dishes) or Uber Eats a little bit more?” wondered Veresuk.
Warren said the city will hire a consultant but isn’t sure what level of public consultation will take place.
“Of course we want to be hearing from the downtown and surrounding neighbourhood,” he said. But the crux of this project is to try and get people interested in going back downtown. Warren said a big question going into consultation is “what would bring you downtown and to visit that area?”
The project is expected to cost approximately $4.5 million and is slated to start construction in 2024, with concepts and approvals expected for late 2023.
The Scarth Street Mall has been closed to traffic since 1975. A Joe Fafard sculpture on the street would be moved and preserved according to Veresuk. The art piece known as oskana ka-asasteki was installed in 1998 at the southern portion of the mall."