Where, you might ask, has all that copper that we used to make pennies out of gone to?
In turns out that a lot of it is in Regina, on top of the newly renovated dome of the legislative building. In fact, approximately 13,000 kilograms of new copper was used to reclad the roof of this iconic structure, the largest provincial legislative building in Canada. The same weight of lead was used (for gutters and water management) and 10,000 kilograms of new stone to replace pieces that were crumbling.
The 104-year-old legislative building has received a $21-million, three-year renovation to reverse the effects of water damage, general corrosion and rot. Monday, thousands of guests gathered on the grounds for a sneak peak of what the shiny new copper lid looks like.
Earlier in the day, some staff and board members from the Foundation were given a special treat – a tour under the tarps to see up-close the fine handiwork of the 38 stonemasons and 43 copper restoration experts brought in to lead the repairs.
Evidence of the craftsmanship could be found in the patched and repointed stone, the intricate copper work and hundreds of little details that could only be seen with our bird’s eye view. It will take about three weeks for scaffolding to be removed and it will review a stunning bright copper roof. Of course, the glow will only last until the elements do their work. Over the following months, it will age into the familiar green hue we think of when we see the dome.
