LUGs, or LEGO® User Groups, are an amazing way for adult fans of LEGO® (AFOLs) to connect. They also present great opportunities to come together and build collaborative displays. The Saskatchewan LEGO® User Group (SLUG) did just that recently in a phenomenal display for the Regina International Airport. Their recreation of YQR is entirely built using LEGO® bricks and is currently on display at the airport. But if you can’t make it out to Regina, we’ve got you covered. Adam Dodge from SLUG was kind enough to share details and photos of the build in this guest post. So, please join me in a huge thanks and shout out to Adam and SLUG for sharing with us!
-Tom

It is a privilege to be able to exhibit the work of a LUG in front of the public. When that work is appreciated, that privilege becomes an honour.

For two years, our LUG, the Saskatchewan LEGO® Users Group (SLUG), has had the opportunity to showcase original MOCs at the Regina International Airport. One end of the airport had a decent-sized display case going unused, and we were fortunate enough to be given free range for our builds. From day one, the intention was to eventually create a version of the airport to display there. After two years… it finally happened.

A four-tiered, 320-stud wide display showing the floors and areas of the airport.

The planning process of the build turned out to be a lengthy one. Given the amount of bricks needed to accurately capture the airport, the use of LEGO®’s Project Support program* was discussed. But the timeline and cost couldn’t be justified. More planning followed, including minimizing the work done by each builder to reduce the strain it would put on our individual collections. After a few planning sessions, breaking into teams, and an exclusive tour of the restricted areas of the airport, we were ready to go!

As different builders build at different speeds and life often gets in the way, we allowed ourselves a few months to complete the project. This gave builders the time to tour the areas of the building they would be working on, gather what parts they needed, and trial and error some of the airport details to be certain that they truly captured the aspects of the building.

The ground floor exterior was the most iconic section of the build.

The ground floor exterior of the building was completed by Jim J., Melissa M. and Jon U. It was the most iconic section of the build. The colours of the building didn’t quite match up to available LEGO® colours. However, the dark red masonry bricks represent it well, giving the façade a nice textured look. Accompanied by the walls of windows, the entrance designs, and clean lines, the sight that welcomes you to the airport turned out to be quite striking.

Our second tier shows what most of the visitors to the airport would see; the arrivals and departures areas bustling with people. The rows of ticket counters create a pleasant scene where everyday people, as well as a couple pop-culture figures, receive their boarding passes to prepare for travel (couldn’t Superman just fly there himself?). The far end of the floor sees people returning from away to the waiting grins of friends and family. The opposite end features our favourite easter egg showcasing a micro build of the airport within the display itself!  Trent R., Scott S., and Adam D. captured this floors details quite well.

Arrivals area and the micro-build of the Regina International Airport. Images compliments of Adam Dodge.

Accurate right down to the pet relief area.

The 2^nd floor of the airport requires a trip through security. It sees many anxious travellers waiting on announcements to make their gate. Lorelie D. and Keith R. received a tour behind the gates to be sure to represent areas like the kids play zone and the pet relief station.  Minifigures pepper the floor checking flights, lounging in chairs, and grabbing a snack before departure.

The final tier takes us to the tarmac where ground crews prepare for incoming and outgoing flights.  Ray J. constructed many of the airports ground vehicles thanks to unlimited access to the fleet.  Brandon B. faithfully recreated a set of RCAF jets to fly above the tarmac, which create the scene of a fly-by of the building.  The display is capped at the end with builds of a City-style airliner as well as a CF Snowbird, a well-known craft around southern Saskatchewan.

Vehicle builds for the LEGO® brick Regina International Airport. Images compliments of Adam Dodge.

This brick-built airport used upwards of 12,000 LEGO® elements.

Although it’s difficult to accurately calculate the number of bricks used in the construction of the airport, it is safe to say that the bottom three tiers, with their features and details, contain a few thousand bricks per tier. Add to that the elements used for the planes, vehicles, and hundreds of minifigs, upwards of 12,000 elements helped make up this collaborative build.

We are very appreciative of the airport for allowing us the opportunity to not only show our MOCs in the building, but for providing the impetus for our group’s largest collaborative build yet! With almost 60 SLUG members from around the province, I’m sure this will inspire us to create even larger builds in the future. If you’re in the Regina area, the airport build will be on display until December 2024.  Another great opportunity to view the work of SLUG members is BRICKSPO which is held during the last weekend in July at the Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw! Hope to see you there.

-Adam D. (SLUG member)

See more from SLUG!

• Adam Dodge on Flickr (author of this article and airport contributor)
• Jim Jo on Flickr (SLUG member and airport contributor)
• Keith Reed on Flickr (SLUG member and airport contributor)
• The Official SLUG website
• SLUG on Facebook

*The LEGO® Project Support Program is a bulk purchasing program offered through the LEGO® Ambassador Network. It applies to recognized LEGO® User Groups. The goal is to assist groups in purchasing large quantities of LEGO® bricks for special projects used for public display.

Not in Regina but want to join a LUG? Check out our links page to find a Canadian LEGO® User Group near you!

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