Here's what a new entertainment district could look like in Regina
Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) is exploring what a brand new 10,000 seat event centre could look like in the city.
REAL is scheduled to present possible plans for a Regina entertainment district to the city’s executive committee on Wednesday.
It suggests the city should use the future replacement of the Brandt Centre as a catalyst to create a new mid-sized multi-purpose event centre.
“Although we don’t have to make a decision on the Brandt Centre today, we should recognize at some point we will have to make a decision,” Tim Reid, the president and CEO of REAL, said Tuesday.
The feasibility study lays out five viable locations for the project, including the REAL District, the rail yards off Dewdney Avenue or three properties in downtown Regina.
This graphic shows possible locations for the five proposed Regina Entertainment District plans. (Source: Regina Exhibition Association Limited)
REAL is recommending one specific location in downtown Regina, which remained confidential, that it feels is best suited to support the project.
“It is the unanimous decision of the Arena Planning Strategic Committee (APSC2) that the downtown location #5 outlined in detail within the final report holds the greatest potential for the creation of an entertainment district and maximizing the transformational change and financial benefit for the greater City of Regina,” the report read.
REAL anticipates between $100 million to $120 million in construction costs for the project, with an additional cost of $32.7 million to $33.1 million for land assembly costs.
The plans for use of the new facility factor in the addition of National Lacrosse League (NLL) and Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) teams in Regina.
The report estimates the new facilities would be in use around 100 days annually, between the Regina Pats, an NLL and CEBL team; as well as concerts and events.
The operational model projects $1.8 million in net operating income annually, with $10.4 million in revenue and $8.5 million in operating costs.
The APSC2 is composed of several stakeholders in Regina, including the Warehouse District, the Downtown Business Association and the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce.
“There’s a real opportunity for growth and a real opportunity to revitalize downtown with any type of new structure that goes downtown whether it be a new aquatic centre, library or arena,” Tony Playter, the CEO of the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce, said.
The study also recommends the Brandt Centre be repurposed either as a space for recreational or agricultural use.
REAL is optimistic the report will be accepted by the city and used for future planning of a possible replacement of the Brandt Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.