The Saskatchewan Production Studios Soundstage will now officially be known as the John Hopkins Soundstage

Signage was unveiled today near the Soundstage’s location corner of College and Rose in Regina.

Hopkins was a longtime community advocate, as well as the Chamber CEO for 20 years, and his son Jesse spoke at the unveiling.

“John would be honoured and extremely humbled to know that the Regina soundstage is being renamed in his memory,” Jesse said. “He was dedicated to his community and he cared deeply about the people who call this great province home.”

John Hopkins was a giant in the community, not only as Chamber CEO but also as a founding member of the Regina Trades and Kills Centre and as an organizer of the Smudge Walk and on the boards of the Cowessess Ventures, Little Child Holdings and Reconciliation Regina. His Garage Band helped raise $1.4 million for the Allan Blair Cancer Centre and over $100,000 for mental health initiatives.

Jesse said that his father was proud to be raising his family in such a culturally diverse city.

“Regina provided him a wonderful life and in return, he gave back to our community in every way that he could,” Jesse said. “Creative arts were always part of John’s life, and our family’s lives. Growing up our household has alive with musicians, singers, theatre and the visual arts.”

Hopkins died earlier this year at the age of 61 after a battle with prostate cancer. In March, the province announced the Regina soundstage would bear his name and in June, the province posthumously gave him the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.