Regina Minute: Volume Wall, Bison Production, and a Police Plane Delay

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

This Week In Regina:

• Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, a day to support causes that make a difference. If you appreciate the work we do and want to help us continue advocating for common sense at City Hall, we’d be grateful for your support. We don’t usually make an explicit ask in these emails, but given that we’re a non-profit and don’t take a dime of government funding, we rely on your support to keep us going. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. If you’d like to contribute, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you!
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:00 am, there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee. The agenda includes debt financing for the Water Network Expansion Project, as well as the Lakeview Community Association’s application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies program.
  
  
• The annual Light the Lights event is back on Tuesday, December 3, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at City Hall and the Queen Elizabeth II Courtyard. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, interactive ice creations, outdoor games, and local entertainment, with hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. Activities are outdoors, with limited indoor access.

Last Week In Regina:

• The return of the Regina Police Service's aerial support unit has been delayed, primarily due to the need for custom parts, which had to be built from scratch and rigorously tested at a Cessna factory in the US. This process has taken longer than anticipated. The plane, a 2005 Cessna 182 T, was damaged in April during routine maintenance. Equipped with an infrared camera for tracking suspects, the plane is now expected to be operational by early 2025. Repair costs are being covered by insurance, so there is no expense to the City of Regina. During the repairs, the six officers from the aerial unit have been reassigned to other roles.
  
  
• It was announced that Regina’s LED Volume Wall, a cutting-edge film technology allowing immersive location shooting, is set to leave Saskatchewan despite its initial success. Privately funded with a $12 million investment, the wall has been used for feature films like Hostile Takeover and will support two more productions before being relocated. Limited local financing was cited as a key reason for the move. While its departure is a setback for the region, industry officials remain optimistic, highlighting over 60 productions and $124 million in economic impact during the wall's tenure. They anticipate continued growth in Saskatchewan’s film industry, bolstered by other productions and new opportunities for the soundstage.
  
  
• Bison Day at the Canadian Western Agribition highlighted the significance of bison in Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry. The event, which focused on raising awareness about bison production, offered breeders the chance to showcase their animals. The Canadian Bison Association's Vice Chair, Robert Johnson, also spoke on the industry's efforts to keep bison wild while making them a viable option for consumers. The day drew attention to the cultural and conservation significance of bison, with approximately 45 animals up for sale, attracting interest from buyers across Canada. The Agribition wrapped up its 53rd year in Regina.