Ashley Messier builds hockey legacy with sights on PWHL, Olympics
3h ago
Mark Messier is her distant cousin, but this Sask. hockey product is carving her own path.
Some country, some hockey and some rock ‘n’ roll.
Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) CEO Tim Reid told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday that tickets for three new events will go on sale in the next 30 days.
“If you’re a country music fan, we’ve got a great announcement coming. If you love hockey, we’ve got a great announcement coming,” Reid said. “If you’re a rock ‘n’ roll fan, we’ve got a great announcement coming in the Brandt Centre.”
When it comes to a stadium concert, Reid added there’s a lot more touring shows next year, alluding to a possible stadium rock concert.
“I think that’s looking pretty good,” he said.
When it comes to how REAL can get out of debt, Reid said the organization’s success comes down to its ability to host major tourism events, like the Brier and the Grey Cup, and to put a concert in the stadium.
“We do those two things and our math works and when we don’t, it just doesn’t work as well, so this is a tough year,” he said. “I think we’ll see things come back, but our industry just hasn’t come back the way that it was before COVID.”
Mosaic Stadium was the site of the 2022 Grey Cup. The Brier is to be contested at the Brandt Centre in 2024.
The much-anticipated brewery and distillery are expected to open in the old Agribition Building at the REAL District by the time the Regina Pats begin their next WHL season, Reid added.
“We’re experiencing just the delays of getting the equipment. They’re finalizing the substantial completion on the brewery and the distillery on the off-sale,” he said. “All of that is going to open (and) then they’re going to transition to the restaurant.”
Tim Hortons and Western Pizza in the AffinityPlex are undergoing facade and kitchen upgrades, but only Western Pizza will be returning.
“Because of some of our partners in the building and the requirements around Tim Hortons, we just couldn’t meet the new standards of the Tim Hortons between space and our ability to serve with some of our competing interests,” he said.
Before Agribition begins this year, Reid confirmed a new grab-and-go coffee shop and mini-restaurant operated by REAL and its partner will be taking the place of the Tim Hortons.
“We’ve seen a lot of push for healthier options, so you’re going to see some of the traditionals — the coffees, the baked goods — coming back, but you’re also going to see some healthy options,” he said.