Replacing Brandt Centre a low priority for majority of Regina residents surveyed
Replacing the Brandt Centre and pursuing a new outdoor ballpark are currently not important priorities for residents who took part in the City of Regina’s Catalyst Committee Survey.
Results were released on Thursday and showed 41.6 per cent of those who completed the survey felt that replacing the Brandt Centre was “not at all a priority” for them, while 51.5 per cent of respondents said that a new multi-purpose outdoor baseball event centre was “not at all a priority.”
Only 9.5 per cent said that they feel replacing the Brandt centre is a “high priority” for them and only 8.4 per cent felt the same about constructing a new multi-purpose outdoor baseball facility.
Additionally, 14.5 per cent said replacing the Brandt Centre is “somewhat a priority,” while 18.6 per cent said it is a low priority for them. Another 15.8 per cent of respondents took a neutral stance.
When it came to a new outdoor multi-purpose ballpark, 10 per cent felt the project is “somewhat a priority,” 14.4 per cent said it’s a low priority and 15.6 per cent were neutral to the idea.
Private investments were how most residents felt the two projects should be funded if they were to go ahead in the future.
A total of 4,438 completed the entire survey between Oct. 17 and Nov 10, according to the city. The city also said that responses included over 12,000 open-ended comments.
“We had 4,500 responses, which makes this one of the most important public engagement surveys that the city has done” Coun. Bob Hawkins said.
Replacing the Brandt Centre and building a new outdoor multi-purpose baseball facility are two of five proposed major projects that the City of Regina’s Catalyst Committee proposed, with the goal of maximizing economic and community benefits.
The other proposed projects are: replacing the Lawson Aquatic Centre with a new 265,000 square foot facility for an estimated cost of $173 million, the modernization of the Central Library with a new 150,000 square foot facility at an estimated cost of $125 million (2020 dollars) and a proposal to build a new synthetic outdoor field for an estimated cost of $10 million.
This photo shows a virtual model of a seating plan for a new event centre that could one day replace Regina's Brandt Centre (Supplied: REAL)
The city said all projects have the potential to attract people and businesses to Regina’s downtown.
For all five proposals, survey respondents tended to favour answering that the projects were currently “not at all a priority” for them.
For the outdoor multi-purpose baseball facility, 51.5 percent of respondents felt that way, while 41.6 responded that way for replacing the Brandt Centre. For the new aquatics centre, 27.5 per cent said it is not a priority at all for them, 26.7 per cent felt the same way about replacing the Central Library and 40.1 per cent felt that way about a new outdoor field project.
A concept sketch of the 3,500-seat baseball stadium proposed on Dewdney Ave. (Supplied: Regina Red Sox)
Only the proposed replacement of the Lawson Aquatic Centre, Central Library and the new synthetic outdoor field received some support for public investment, according to the survey.
Nearly 33 per cent (32.8) said they “strongly agree” that a new aquatic centre should receive public investment. Twenty nine per cent said they “somewhat agree” replacing the Central Library should be done with public investment and 34.3 per cent of respondents “some what agree” that a new outdoor field should receive public investment.
“The public is concerned about municipal budgets but I think they’re also saying if other levels of government can contribute, if private investment will be triggered by these projects, then we should take advantage of that,” Hawkins said.
The City of Regina said the Catalyst Committee is currently reviewing community feedback from the survey along with the project proposals.
“If we can’t make our city attractive, for labour, for skillsets, for the best of the best, then ultimately we will jeopardize some of these head offices that call Regina home,” Tim Reid, REAL District CEO and co-chair of the Catalyst committee, said.
A finalized report is expected to be presented to City Council in early 2023.
Survey results can be seen here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.