Masters hopes Hudson’s Bay site will be considered for new central library

With Hudson’s Bay set to close next year, questions are rising about what will fill the space.

Regina Mayor Sandra Masters said one idea is to use the the soon-to-be-available space at the Cornwall Centre for the Regina Public Library’s new central location.

“It’s got a lot of the amenities right there on site, including parking,” the mayor said.

Masters said the Bay’s announcement comes after the city issued an expression of interest in March to see if there are local developers or building owners are interested in a joint venture with the library on a new central branch.

“With the Bay opening up, if we move to an RFP in the near future I hope they would put in a bid on the RFP for a reconfiguration or redoing of the external nature of the space,” the mayor said.

Masters said a new department store likely won’t fill the space in the Cornwall Centre when it opens up in April of 2025.

“I would suggest that department stores like Nordstrom are closing in other bigger centres, so I think they are on the hunt for new businesses,” she said.

Masters said the city’s goal is to improve the safety and look of the streets to encourage growth downtown.

“We’ve got some investment in downtown vibrancy initiatives to make downtown more attractive and safer,” Masters said.