Egland scores Teddy Bear Toss goal but Pats lose in OT
5h ago
Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
Discussions and work will continue on three proposed recreation projects for the City of Regina.
On Wednesday, the city’s executive committee heard three presentations from groups trying to build a new arena and entertainment facility, baseball stadium and aquatics centre.
All three of the proposed projects have a combined price tag of more than $300 million. The arena is estimated to cost $125 million, while the aquatics centre would be $175 million.
The committee also approved a motion at Wednesday’s hearing for a baseball needs assessment. That would include a feasibility study for the Regina Red Sox’ new stadium and research for how the city can save some of its baseball diamonds from wear and tear.
After questions and presentations were completed, an amendment was made and passed for Coun. Bob Hawkins and Regina Exhibition Association Limited president and CEO Tim Reid to co-chair a catalyst committee.
“It was an exciting morning for council,” said Hawkins. “We’ve looked at a number of recreational projects and committee has decided they’d like some co-ordination on this these projects. If we can develop synergy between the projects, it will transform our city.
“What we’re talking about here is long-term planning that will transform and activate our downtown and that’s very exciting. I think it’s a committee that will help emphasize the synergies between all of these projects, so the group of projects as they proceed over the next 15 years will work together to strengthen the economy of our city, recreational prospects of our city and the culture of our city.”
Reid feels this is a great natural next step for the city to take when it comes to revitalizing downtown.
“Today was a day filled with fantastic work done by three separate committees talking on three separate projects,” Reid said. “I think what council approved today is an opportunity to pull that all together and come back by year end to have a more wholesome conversation with the public about what should happen and how we should pay for it.”
The catalyst committee will have until the end of 2022 to showcase its findings from the study.
Reid feels that will keep those in charge busy throughout the rest of the summer.
“There are some fantastic teams working on these studies. Ultimately, the job between Councillor Hawkins and myself is to get a terms of reference in front of city council that they can approve. We’re under very short timelines, so we have to move quickly,” he said.
Reid doesn’t feel the timeline is too quick.
“I think the work has been done. I think this is about co-ordination and this is about how we co-ordinate them,” Reid said. “Ultimately, I think sometimes quick is good. It forces us all to pay attention and time to lapse between the conversations. Council wants this in front of them before the year end and I think its a good thing.”
He thinks the biggest challenge the committee will face in the coming months is discovering ways to ensure financing is available for these projects.
“As the taxpayers of Regina will share, nobody wants to spend more money or wants their taxes go up. But we do need to recognize that we have an arena facility, aquatics facility, baseball facility and library facility that are all aging and in need of care,” Reid explained.
“I think the opportunity in this committee is to pull it all together and come up with a really specific plan. That plan doesn’t have to be today, it has to be over the next couple decades. But (it’s) a plan we can take to funding partners, to private investment partners (and) to find a way for how we can advance these initiatives.”
Hawkins thinks they have an opportunity to put a stamp on the city.
“What do I hope to see?” he asked. “I hope that in 20 years we have one of the most exciting downtowns in the country.”