New General Manager of the Revitalization District Tammy Sweeney’s mandate is “to engage, activate, and integrate the Base into the larger community.”

She comes from Saskatoon’s TCU Place, a convention and performing arts center, where, as CEO for six years, she managed 200 event staff and 45 full-time employees.

Her award-winning tenure there was transformative.

“The board asked me to do three things: rebuild the team, increase events, and bring the community in. That mission aligned with who I am. My work is always centered by my sense of what a community, what a culture, needs to grow.

“Together, we built a strategic plan grounded in one vision: lead the way, connect, celebrate, energize, enrich. That was our guiding star.”

She arrives at the Base five years in, to direct the second major phase of its transformation into what Deco Homes’ VP Alexandra De Gasperis calls “the cultural heart of the County.” 

All of the Base’s possibilities and constellations are now in Ms. Sweeney’s remit, and she is captivated. And determined. “The base is a group of people, a mission, a purpose, a transformative effort, a major community builder.

“I know the state we’re in and the state we want to get to. We are still in the start-up phase. The purpose and vision are about making the community stronger, and we do that by making it more connected.”

Track Record

Under her leadership, TCU Place became celebrated beyond Saskatoon as a model for community connection, cultural vibrancy, economic activity, and placemaking. Attracting over 200,000 visitors a year, it now drives over $40 million annually in local economic activity.

“Though that kind of impact is compelling on its own, it’s the larger community impact of the work we do that is the most important. That drives everything else. 

“I want the Base to be recognized as a welcoming place for all, a place to celebrate, connect, and learn together. It’s already a place that is nostalgic for many in the community and it is poised to continue being the heart of the community for future generations.”

For Ms. Sweeney, leading a business means leading in the community. “If the organization serves the community, then half of the end goal is realized. If you have a strong team, and strong operational success, that is the other side. Both need to co-exist.

 “One of my colleagues at TCU said, ‘you just waved your magic wand and it all started to happen’. But no. That’s not how it works. Or if it does, it’s from everyone waving that wand thousands and thousands of times.”

On the Ground in the County

“I’m so glad to finally be here,” she laughs, describing the 36-hour drive from Saskatoon. The new GM has been on tour, meeting and greeting County leaders both on and off the Base.

“I’m listening and observing,” she smiles. “I can see that people love it when they come here. They love the cool energy, and they feel a freedom to wander and explore.

“The Drill Hall is the most phenomenal events venue I’ve ever seen, and I’ve spent 20 years in events venues. It’s a very special place. But it has room for 1700, and that doesn’t suit every band.

“There’s work that needs to be done, as the Sergeants Mess has been repurposed. It was beautiful, and beloved as a performance space, but it was only used 1 or 2 days a week.” 

The Pilot’s Lounge is now being renovated into an intimate and flexible space for year-round programming. It opens next spring.

Meanwhile, the Base’s first neighbourhood, Hilltop, is underway, beginning with the construction of a seven-storey apartment building. The new GM plans to expand the offerings and amenities of what is now called B31 District to bring in the community — for Hilltop and the County.

“Behind the scenes, we’re building a community for this community, for the County. We want to integrate everything that is happening at the Base with everything and everyone in the County. This is a designed, purpose-built community, meant to connect people differently, more easily, intentionally — and more often.”

The District now offers a new HUB daycare center, pickleball courts, art galleries and studio spaces, event spaces, some retail, a summer camp, and the food stations gathered at the Commissary’s outdoor stage. 

“We are searching for more tenants, both to serve this community today and to be a draw for those buying houses tomorrow,” explains Ms. Sweeney.

“We will be also adding anchor programming that involves food, music, children, families, seniors, everyone. We want to bring more people to the Base — and bring them back.”