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A group of southeast Regina residents who oppose a potential road extension have added another criticism to the proposal.
The Wascana View Action Group has gained a letter of support from the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society, which says there could be unidentified heritage resources in the area of the proposed extension of Prince of Wales Drive and Wascana Parkway.
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“The proposed route traverses areas associated with the Wascana Creek corridor, a landscape that has been used by Indigenous people for thousands of years,” the letter says.
“Aside from the identification of two archaeological sites recorded in the 1960s, no comprehensive archaeological surveys appear to have been undertaken. Furthermore, seven recorded archaeological sites are located within a five-kilometre radius of the proposed corridor, all situated along Wascana Creek,” it adds.
“This pattern strongly indicates that the area has significant potential to contain additional archaeological sites and cultural heritage resources that have not yet been identified.”
Executive director Dr. Karin Steuber said in an interview that the society was contacted by the Wascana View Action Group about the group’s concerns.
“We did look into it, and there does appear that this would be a very high sensitivity area for having archaeological sites,” she said.
“Our concern mainly is that proper work is done to assess if there is any impact to archaeological heritage should this construction project go forward.”
She said any number of things could be found during a proper archaeological study.
“There could be artifacts being exposed on the ground through natural weathering processes, like erosion or the creek shifting itself,” Steuber explained.
“There could be the potential for archaeological sites, like teepee rings would make a lot of sense if this is a stable water source, so people might have been living close to it and basically carrying out daily tasks.”
Wascana View Action Group spokesperson Jack Huntington said in a news release that the archaeological society should have been included during consultation on the project.
“The more information that comes to light, the clearer it becomes that this project is far more complex than originally presented to the public,” Huntington said in the release.
“At some point, the City needs to ask whether pursuing this corridor remains in the best interests of Regina residents.”
The group has previously raised concerns about an increase in traffic on Prince of Wales Drive should the extension proceed, as well as the costs involved.
It has also been joined by Ducks Unlimited and the McKell family in raising concerns about the McKell Wascana Conservation Park, which they say the road extension would impact, concerns Ward 4 councillor Mark Burton said can be mitigated.
The City of Regina is currently in the middle of a public survey on the project, which is open until June 24.
“Design and construction will only move forward if the project proves feasible and future budget is approved by City Council,” the city says on the project website.
In a statement, the City of Regina said archaeological concerns will be included in its ongoing study of the project.
“As part of the ongoing functional study, heritage and archaeological considerations will be assessed. This will include a review of all necessary provincial and federal guidelines, submittals and processes, including submitting the project to the Heritage Conservation Branch with the Provincial Government for a Heritage Review, if it is required,” the city explained.
“The findings of these assessments will help inform future decision-making regarding the project and be included in the final report which will be made publicly available.”
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