Regina Minute: New Board, Shelter Approved, and Budget Survey Results

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

This Week In Regina:

• The Regina Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday at 4:00 pm. The Commission will discuss amendments to the Airport Vicinity Official Community Plan and the Harbour Landing Concept Plan.
  
  
• On Wednesday, the Executive Committee will meet at 9:00 am. The Committee will discuss the Warehouse Business Improvement District vision and implementation plan and will recommend some property tax exemptions under the Community Non-Profit Tax Exemption Policy. Also on the agenda, among other things, is a 25-year lease with a 25-year renewal option, between the City of Regina and Regina Red Sox Baseball Club Inc. for Currie Field. The only other meeting this week is a meeting of the Regina Appeal Board, on Thursday at 5:30 pm.
  
  
• The Regina Exhibition Association Ltd. (REAL) has a new Board of Directors. The Board consists of seven members, including Michael MacNaughton, Kevin Dureau, Kathy Hillman-Weir, Christine Short, Sarah Fedirko, Johnathan Hackshaw, and Jamie Boldt, with terms ranging from two to three years. The City Manager, Niki Anderson, will serve on the Board as a non-voting director. Additionally, REAL had a loan request of $4 million to pay down its line of credit, which was tabled for discussion at a future meeting. The Board will search for a permanent CEO for REAL.

Last Week In Regina:

• The City has released the results of its pre-budget survey, which gathered resident feedback on spending priorities for the upcoming City Budget. The survey, conducted in June 2024, saw a 30% increase in participation, with respondents highlighting road construction, public safety, and snow clearing as top priorities. Residents also expressed a desire for lower property taxes and City expenses, alongside increased capital investments in infrastructure projects like roads, water, and recreation. The high-level results are available online.
  
  
• Councillors voted 9-2 to purchase the Regina Eagles Club on Halifax Street, transforming it into a permanent emergency homeless shelter. Despite concerns from local business owners regarding safety and property values, Council deemed the site suitable. The purchase will cost $2.6 million, with additional renovations estimated at $3 million, all funded through existing provincial and federal support. The City will cover operational costs, projected at $30,000 monthly. Ward 10 Councillor Landon Mohl and Ward 7 Councillor Terina Nelson were the two opposing votes.
  
  
• It was announced that Regina will host the 2028 Can-Am Police-Fire Games, a multi-sport event that brings together first responders from across North America for competitive events such as cross-country running, cycling, and shooting. The games, described as "Olympic-style," will be held at various locations throughout the city, attracting thousands of athletes and their families. The Games are held biennially, with the 2024 edition hosted in Butler, Pennsylvania.