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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.