Regina Minute: Water Meters, Flag Policy, and Stadium Moves Forward

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

This Week In Regina:

• The only meeting taking place at City Hall this week is a meeting of the Board of Revision on Tuesday at 9:00 am. Council and Committee meetings will resume in mid-August, and when they do, we hope there will be a renewed focus on core priorities. We'll certainly be pushing them in that direction! And we've started already. That's why we started a petition calling for City Hall to prioritize essential services, such as water, sanitation, and roads, which form the backbone of a functional city. Resources should be focused on these necessities, and all non-essential projects that do not benefit the majority of residents should immediately cease. If you agree, sign the petition today demanding that City Hall accept that Regina Must Get Back To Basics.
  
  
• The City's water meter replacement project is nearing its final phase, with installations beginning in Ward 10 this month. As of July, over 56,000 of the 76,000 new meters have been installed, reaching a 73% completion rate. The project, budgeted at $42.5 million, aims to replace old meters with more efficient models, offering real-time data and improved water management.
  
  
• The Regina Police Service (RPS) is welcoming 16 new recruits. They were sworn in during a ceremony attended by their families, friends, and RPS members. The recruits come from diverse backgrounds, having worked in various fields before joining RPS. The new recruits will undergo 21 weeks of training at the Saskatchewan Police College, with graduation set for December.

Last Week In Regina:

• Council has delayed a decision on changing the City's flag policy after a proposed amendment sought to ban flags of countries other than Canada from being flown at City Hall. The original motion, introduced by Councillors Cheryl Stadnichuk and Shanon Zachidniak, aimed to address concerns raised by the display of the Israeli flag amidst ongoing conflict. The proposed policy changes would restrict flag raisings to countries not involved in genocide or human rights violations according to international courts. An alternative amendment, suggested by Councillor Terina Nelson, would limit the flags to only six specific ones, including those of Canada and Saskatchewan. This amendment is now under review.
  
  
• Council has agreed to explore the possibility of a new stadium for the Regina Red Sox by sharing the cost of a feasibility study with the team and other stakeholders. The motion involves a potential $2.5-million City investment if the project proceeds. The study will evaluate the feasibility of raising $5 million or more in sponsorships and donations for the new stadium. If the fundraising target isn't met, the Red Sox may opt for a long-term lease at Currie Field instead. Council approved the motion by an 8-2 vote, with concerns raised about prioritizing this project over other recreational needs and the uncertainty of future Council decisions.
  
  
• Avro Aerospace held their grand opening of the Avro Venture Studio in Regina, furthering their efforts to launch rockets into space. This studio will serve as a hub for their orbital and launch operations, as well as the development of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning models to assist manoeuvrability of the rockets. The company currently employs eight people at the Regina lab, with plans to expand to 20 by the end of the year. Engineering teams are also being assembled in Calgary and Regina, focusing on innovations in UAVs (drones), rockets, and supersonic travel.