Regina’s German Club facing $240K roof crisis

The roof over one of Regina’s oldest cultural gathering places is failing, and the repair bill could threaten the German Club’s future.

The German Club at 1727 St John Street has a newly discovered roof leak at its longtime clubhouse that could cost as much as $240,000 to replace, forcing the non-profit organization into a scramble for new revenue and community support.

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President Kerri Van Loosen said the club recently learned the aging roof, original to the 1968 building, has deteriorated far more than expected.

“We’ve discovered a leak in our roof, and it’s been quoted over $200,000 (and) closer to $240,000 by a few local companies that do commercial roofs and repairs,” Van Loosen said.

The organization is now exploring a temporary membrane repair that would cost roughly half as much, but the fix would only delay a full replacement.

“We’re definitely in need of finding ways to bring in extra revenue so we can continue to run our business, but also set some money aside to ultimately replace our roof,” she said.

Van Loosen said inflation and rising operating costs have only intensified the pressure.

“Everything is just impacting us all at once,” she said. “It’s one of those things where we feel like we’re again put into a little bit of a corner.”

Still, she said the club remains optimistic because of the community’s historical support.

“The club’s existed for over 70 years now, and it seems that whenever we reach out to our community for support, we’re never let down,” Van Loosen said. “People step up.”

Founded in 1955, the German Club traces its roots back to Regina’s early immigrant communities. Van Loosen said members built the current clubhouse in what was once known as Germantown, an area that was home to many European newcomers, including German, Ukrainian, Romanian, Hungarian and Polish families.

“It has a rich history,” she said. “If you look back in archives, you’ll see the butcher shops and the clothing shops and the shoe repairers and clock makers and all that.”

Van Loosen said the club continues to try to preserve that history through cultural events, traditional food and community gatherings.

“A lot of people have some ties to the German club, whether it’s through their own cultural lineage or just having attended functions there,” she said.

Club membership currently costs $20 per year and includes discounts on meals and event tickets. Van Loosen said increasing membership and volunteer support remains important for the non-profit’s survival.

The organization is also encouraging residents to attend upcoming events, including the reopening of its Biergarten patio on June 6 and its annual Summer Solstice celebration on June 20.

“We just want to remind everyone to support us,” Van Loosen said. “All that will go a long way in helping us achieve our goal for repairing this roof.”

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