Regina Minute: Housing Incentives, REAL Reform, and Water Treatment Delays

Regina Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Regina politics

This Week In Regina:

• There will be a City Council Meeting on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. There will be a Notice of Motion brought forward requesting that Administration prepare a report outlining a process for providing complimentary City facility passes to volunteers. Another Notice of Motion will direct Administration to present options for restructuring REAL, considering revised ownership and control options. Council will also discuss a housing strategy. (More on that below!).
  
  
• The Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) is searching for a new president and CEO after the dismissal of former CEO Tim Reid in January 2024, following a financial review and criticism of a failed tourism campaign. Interim CEO Roberta Engel has been filling the position since Reid's departure. The new CEO will oversee operations, revitalize REAL’s assets, and try to rebuild trust with the community while implementing a sustainable business model. REAL has faced financial struggles, including operating deficits and significant deferred maintenance, leading to a $4-million City bailout.
  
  
• A community group in Regina, Hawk Principle, is working to convert the historic Trinity Lutheran Church into a support hub for homeless individuals. The church, which closed its doors in December 2024, is up for sale, and the group aims to raise $1 million to purchase the building and another $1 million annually to operate it. The proposed facility would offer services like meals, cultural connections, and educational opportunities, filling gaps left by existing systems. The group is launching a fundraising campaign and hopes to secure the funds by March 2025.

Last Week In Regina:

• The Executive Committee endorsed several proposed rental incentives aimed at increasing the city's housing supply, including tax exemptions for secondary suites and grants for rental repairs in central neighbourhoods. These initiatives are part of Regina's agreement with the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to add more rental units, with a focus on revitalizing downtown office buildings into residential spaces. While Council members agreed on the incentives, there was some debate about whether the new housing strategy would account for lessons learned from existing neighbourhoods regarding density and layout. The City plans to invest $7 million in these projects, and a final vote on the proposed updates is scheduled for January 29th.
  
  
• The CEO of the City's water treatment plant said that delays in upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant could lead to musty water in Regina again this spring, as the ozone filtration system may not be ready in time for seasonal algae blooms. The Buffalo Pound Lake, which supplies the city's water, harbours cyanobacteria that causes the unpleasant taste and odor. The $325-million upgrade project, initially scheduled for completion in 2025, is now delayed until 2026. While the algae blooms do not pose a health risk, they create significant annoyance for residents. In addition, the City is moving forward with plans to introduce fluoride to the drinking water by early 2026, after treatment system upgrades are completed.
  
  
• Consultations have begun for Regina's planned permanent emergency shelter, which is set to open in July at the old Eagles Club on Halifax Street. The City is hosting focus group meetings to gather input from nearby businesses, residents, and local service providers about the shelter’s design, safety, and community impact. Concerns have been raised about safety and potential negative behaviour, but many also say there is a need for the shelter. The facility will replace the temporary 55-bed shelter at the Nest Health Centre and will not increase the city's overall shelter capacity. Renovations, including a 2,000-square-foot addition, are required, with funding from both federal and provincial governments.