Warehouse District association wants railyards put to use

Regina’s Warehouse Business Improvement District says it’s about time an investment is made in the city’s former railyards.

“I don’t like to see a doughnut in the city where we continually build on the outskirts and the infrastructure in the city centre is falling into disrepair,” said the group’s executive director Leasa Gibbons.

Last week, the city, provincial and federal governments announced $33.6 million of joint funding to develop 17.5 acres of land spanning from south of Dewdney Avenue to the tracks.

While thrilled by the announcement, Gibbons said she’d like to see the space used for something in the meantime — temporary parking if there’s any contamination from its prior use.

Her other ideas for the space include community gardens, a pop-up dog park and pickleball courts.

As well, Gibbons suggests improving lighting and walkability on Dewdney Avenue as an easy interim measure.

Long-term, she expects some infrastructure challenges.

“The lack of fibre (internet) in the Warehouse District is a bit of a challenge as we look to attract tech companies or office buildings,” she said.

“Anytime you’ve got 100 folks working in a building that maybe had 10 staff back in the day, that’s a bit of a challenge.”