Regina Minute: Nominations Closed, Roughriders Rent, and Aquatic Facility Approved

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

This Week In Regina:

• A meeting of the Development Appeals Board, originally scheduled for Tuesday, is cancelled. However, the Board of Police Commissioners meeting scheduled at 9:00 am on Tuesday will go ahead. The Board will hear about Regina’s crime statistics for August 2024, which show a year-to-date decrease of 12% in total crimes, with a 4.2% drop in Crimes Against the Person and a 14.3% reduction in Crimes Against Property compared to August 2023. The Regina Police Service also reported fewer calls for service, reflecting a 5.7% decrease year-to-date.
  
  
• The University of Regina is celebrating the launch of its revitalized journalism program after a year-long suspension. The new bachelor's program has successfully enrolled 34 students, offering a curriculum that integrates journalism, news media, and communications. University officials emphasize that this four-year degree aims to produce "career-ready" professionals who can navigate the evolving media landscape. The journalism program has been a cornerstone of the university since 1980, although it faced challenges, including instructor shortages and declining enrollment, leading to its temporary suspension in December 2022.
  
  
• The Fraternal Order of Eagles is facing relocation as Council has approved an emergency shelter to occupy their longtime home at 1600 Halifax St., where the club has operated since 1985. While the members express hope for the future, the club's leadership acknowledges the emotional toll of leaving a place they built and cherished. The club's exit is set for November 30th, but a new location has yet to be determined, leaving members concerned about their community's continuity.

Last Week In Regina:

• Candidate nominations closed for Regina's municipal election, and the list of candidates is now official. The election will be held on November 13th, with voters selecting a Mayor, City Council, and School Board Trustees. A total of 93 candidates are running, the highest number since 2009, compared to 82 candidates in 2020. No candidates will be running unopposed, ensuring that no positions will be filled by acclamation. In the previous 2020 election, voter turnout was 21.26%. Keep an eye out for Common Sense Regina’s comprehensive election coverage!
  
  
• Council approved a $245-million budget for a new Indoor Aquatic Facility, replacing the aging Lawson Aquatic Centre. The decision follows months of debate after an $84.4 million cost increase.The IAF will feature two 50-metre pools, a waterpark, and other amenities, with plans to open by 2028. Although some Council members, like Lori Bresciani, advocated for renovating the existing facility instead, the majority voted to proceed with the new project. The City will borrow $145 million to cover the costs.
  
  
• Council is still seeking, at least for now, the full $3.6 million in back rent owed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic-related cancellations. The Roughriders had offered to pay $2.2 million, asking the City to forgive $1.33 million, but Council voted to table the decision until after the upcoming election. Some Councillors suggested that the full amount should be repaid, potentially with a longer-term repayment plan. A final decision will be made at the next Council meeting in December.