Evraz Place seeks public input on future strategic plan

Whether it’s a new arena, better parking or food, Regina residents can have their say on how they think Evraz Place can be improved.

The board of directors for the non-profit group that runs the event complex is planning for the facility’s next 10 to 15 years and is starting public consultation this week.

Tim Reid, president and CEO of Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), said they want to hear input from at least 5,000 residents through an online survey, social media or a series of open houses which Thursday night.

They’re aiming to include a wide range of stakeholders, from those who hold Saskatchewan Roughriders season tickets to those who rent space for parties.

“So I don’t think this is just about, do we need a new arena — although I do believe that’s part of the conversation that needs to happen,” Reid said. “I think it’s also, how’s parking, how are rental prices, how’s food service on campus, what other amenities do we need?”

“We have to know where the public wants us to take these facilities if we have any hope of being successful. And we think if we can engage the public in this dialogue, we can do something great.”

Public feedback will inform the drafting of a new strategic plan for Evraz Place.

As the City of Regina is REAL’s only shareholder, that plan would be presented for council approval in November 2019.

Everything included will come with a plan to make it a reality, Reid said.

“Anything that we propose will have a price and a financial model built around it,” he said. “This is the strategic recommendation, this is how we’ll finance it. This is, most importantly, the opportunity we’ll provide for the taxpayers in terms of economic return.”

REAL has struck two committees for the project including one for engagement. The other is an exploration subcommittee which looks at other municipalities for best practices to enhance city infrastructure.

Wayne Morsky, who chairs the Saskatchewan Roughriders, sits on it.

From the team’s perspective, Morsky said he’d like to see more to do after Riders games have concluded at Mosaic Stadium.

“For the Roughriders, we’re pretty lucky. We’ve got the Taj Mahal of the CFL right now. I don’t think we want to ask for too much more,” he said.

“We just don’t have that attraction for after the events have finished, whether it be a restaurant or a nightclub or something like that.”

The open house schedule is as follows:

• Oct. 25 at the Arcola East Community Centre from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.
• Oct. 26 at the mâmawêyatitân centre from 12 to 2 p.m.
• Oct. 29 at the North West Leisure Centre from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Nov. 1 at the South Leisure Centre from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Nov. 6 at the Queensbury Convention Centre, Evraz Place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.