REGINA — Regina’s Ukrainian community is reeling following a fire at a well-known gathering spot.
Organizers at the Ukrainian Hall quickly responded on Saturday morning after a fire broke out at the building around 6:40 a.m.
“I got a phone call from another community member to say, ‘the hall is on fire,” said Sean McEachern, vice-president of the Ukrainian National Federation Regina Branch.
McEachern said he was overcome with a strong sense of devastation, while hoping the damage was not severe.
Once Regina Fire & Protective Services extinguished the fire, significant interior damage was discovered in the building.
McEachern called this a huge loss for the local Ukrainian community.
“The hall has served many purposes over its almost 100-year lifespan.”
Built in the 1930s, the hall had been overseen by the Ukrainian Society of Prosvita before transferring over to the Ukrainian National Federation Regina Branch.
During this time, the hall has hosted events such as Ridna Shkola, a language school which also teaches the country’s culture and heritage, and is home to the Chaban Ukrainian Dance School.
The hall has also served as a key hub for Ukrainian refugees seeking support and community.
“They could engage in different activities, whether it be helping in the kitchen or bringing their children to read at school, social events., It's very much a hall you often are at any point in time,” noted McEachern.
With the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, McEachern said this hall became a vocal spot for newcomers to interact with other Ukrainians.
“They founded a place to enjoy, to engage with other people from other parts of Ukraine.”
As the summer is a slow time for the community, McEachern said they’re looking at options in the Fall, including resuming Ridna Shkola.
The organization hasn’t determined a suitable building to operate out of in the short term.
McEachern also couldn’t say if the Ukrainian National Federation Regina Branch will return to the hall.
The Regina fire department is still determining the cause of the blaze.
In the meantime, McEachern said the federation is accepting donations, with details available here.
