REGINA — The doors to Bushwakkers Brewpub have reopened for the first time in weeks.
Following flooding damage forcing its temporary closure, brew manager Grant Frew said it’s an exciting time.
“It's really exciting given all of the work that so many people have had to put forth to get ready for today, and to see our first customer ordering his first beer and ordering some food and the kitchen coming together and the serving staff and all the tradespeople that have been working so hard.”
Work started quickly after flooding occurred in the restaurant's basement on June 17.
The City of Regina said an old cast-iron water service connection feeding into Bushwakker broke, causing the leak.
Frew said customers noticed water bubbling up onto the sidewalk around lunchtime on June 17, before an employee discovered flooding in the basement.
"They gave me a call when I was driving down. I was one block north of Bushwhacker, and I noticed that there was an incredible amount of water on that corner, so I knew this wasn't a little flood; this was something major.”
The flooding damaged Bushwakker's freezer, cooler, grain, transfer pumps, hoses and more.
After crews spent nine hours pumping water out of the basement, work began to remove damaged insulation, Frew said.
During this time, Bushwakker moved items into its basement club room as a temporary storage area.
Meanwhile, city workers dug up the sidewalk around the restaurant, where water service was restored on June 29. The sidewalk has since been returned to a condition similar to its state before the Dewdney Revitalization project.
Frew said it’s fantastic seeing how everyone came together to finish the work.
“To see that team effort and see everyone rallying behind us. It's quite humbling actually, but it's a fantastic feeling, and we're just so glad to be reopened after only losing essentially half a month.”
Questions remain
During their analysis of the Bushwakker situation, the city said they likely aren’t responsible for any damages unless a connection between the breakage and construction on Dewdney was found.
In a statement sent to SaskToday, the city confirmed no connection was found between construction on Dewdney Avenue and the flooding.
The city had also planned to work with the restaurant on insurance processes, any warranty, etc.
Although this statement was made nearly two weeks ago, Frew said he haven't heard anything further.
“We haven't received any further communication about how they're willing to help with the insurance, not only for Bushwhacker, but also for the Strathdee Building.
Regina staff confirmed that responsibility for the water infrastructure repairs will be shared between the city and the building owner.
Meanwhile, other costs from the situation will be reviewed by the city with insurance companies to determine who will be responsible.
As for the overall cost, the city had no exact numbers they could provide.
Although the restaurant has reopened, a concern for Bushwakker is the amount of water that has seeped beneath the Strathdee Building.
"We are concerned about the structure of the Strathdee Building possibly being compromised. So we've had a few engineers take a look at things,” said Frew.
Until the building is determined to be safe, Bushwakker will hold off on rebuilding efforts in its basement.
Frew said he would be reluctant to leave the building the restaurant has occupied since 1991.
“We're very proud to be here. And given the revitalization and all of the potential for this area, we definitely want to stay here. This is our home.”
