Regina Minute: Library Funding, Urgent Care, and Shelter Location Rejected

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

This Week In Regina:

• The Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday at 9:00 am. The Committee will look at amendments to the Cemeteries Fee Schedule Bylaw, and discuss a variety of options for debt financing certain projects. Administration is recommending that Council defer a decision on committing to debt financing for the Central Library Renewal Project, as well as to continue operating Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) as a municipal corporation and to pursue a refreshed business model for the organization. These recommendations for REAL involve creating a new mandate for the Association, forming a Board Renewal Sub-Committee, and developing a short-term financial plan.
  
  
• The Audit and Finance Committee will meet on Thursday at 4:00 pm. The Committee will receive several Administration reports, including a 2024 First Quarter Forecast, a Indigenous Procurement Policy 2023 Update, and a 2023 Annual Debt Report.
  
  
• The Regina Public Library (RPL) is seeking Council's approval for funding to build a new Central Library downtown. The project, estimated to cost between $125 million and $150 million, would require $92 million to $119 million from the City, leading to a 5.5% mill rate increase over five years. Additional funding sources include RPL reserves of $30 million and a capital fundraising campaign aiming to raise $3 million. The current Central Library, built in 1962, is apparently insufficient for the City's needs, prompting the expansion plan to 125,000 square feet.

Last Week In Regina:

• City Council narrowly voted against a proposed permanent homeless shelter location at 1420 and 1440 Albert Street. Despite Administration's strong endorsement, Council's decision means City staff must continue searching for a more suitable site. The search, ongoing for three years, aims to replace the temporary shelter at The Nest Health Centre. Some Council members and public delegations opposed the Albert Street location due to concerns about its impact on local businesses and residents. Mayor Sandra Masters and others believe there are still viable alternatives, including new properties or building partnerships. City staff must present a new report on their search by October 9th, ahead of the municipal election.
  
  
• Initial public feedback regarding the Scarth Street pedestrian mall showed strong support for maintaining it as a car-free, walkable area, with 90% of respondents opposing the suggestion to reintroduce vehicles after 50 years. The planned revitalization project for F.W. Hill Mall, including infrastructure upgrades, prompted the consideration of allowing cars again. However, the construction has been delayed until 2027 to gather more community input and refine the vision for the Mall. Over 6,600 residents participated in the survey. Additional community engagement and direct consultation with businesses and residents are planned for this summer, with a conceptual design expected in spring 2025.
  
  
• The Province set a date for the opening of Regina's new urgent care centre. It will open on July 2nd and take a phased approach to operations. Initially operating from 8:00 am to 9:30 pm, the Centre will be located at 1320 Albert Street and will provide services for non-life-threatening conditions and mental health support, with plans to transition to 24-hour coverage in the fall.