Minowukaw Service Centre

About the Project

Set within the boreal plains near Candle Lake, the Minowukaw Service Centre is the first in a new generation of campground facilities for Saskatchewan’s provincial parks. Commissioned by the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, this project establishes a replicable, scalable, and fully accessible model designed to enhance the camping experience while shaping a new architectural identity for the province’s park system.

More than just a washroom and shower building, the Service Centre creates a welcoming hub for community. Equitable amenities include both gendered and non-gendered spaces, ensuring comfort for all visitors. A striking linear plan allows the facility to adapt to campgrounds of different sizes, while a generous front canopy provides a sheltered gathering place for everything from organized programs to spontaneous meet-ups.

The building’s defining feature is its channel glass façade. By day, it fills the interior with soft natural light, connecting users to the surrounding landscape. At night, it glows like a lantern, offering warmth, safety, and a strong sense of place. Designed to feel at home across diverse park settings—whether nestled in the forest or beside a beach—the Service Centre adapts to site conditions with approachable entrances and the ability to discreetly shield infrastructure. At Candle Lake, its placement along the path between campground and beach makes it an integral part of the visitor journey.

Interior finishes draw inspiration from the colours of Saskatchewan’s landscapes, grounding each facility in its unique regional context. Built for long-term use in semi-remote locations, the Service Centre employs durable, efficient materials: a concrete slab, stacked masonry, laminated timber, and translucent glass. These elements remain exposed, celebrating their natural character while seamlessly blending structure and finish. The result is a modern, resilient, and community-oriented facility that sets the stage for future park development.

Project Details

• Client: Sask Parks
• Type: Recreational
• Construction Value: $2.4M
• Date of Completion: Under Construction
• Area: 2,260 sq.ft. (210 s.m.)

Consultant Team

• Prime Consultant: 1x1 architecture inc.
• Civil: Catterall & Wright | Consulting Engineers
• Structural: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.
• Mechanical: Daniels Wingerak Engineering Ltd.
• Electrical: Ritenburg & Associates Ltd.