Regina City Council is considering a trio of athletic facilities for downtown – Regina

Regina City Council passed an amendment Wednesday to create a committee to oversee the development of three different athletic facilities.

The new committee will consider the possible replacement and reuse of the Brandt Center, a new water sports facility to replace the Lawson Aquatic Center, and a new high-performance baseball facility.

The committee is co-chaired by Regina Exhibition Association (REAL) President and CEO Tim Reid and Councilman Bob Hawkins.

“I think it’s a committee that’s going to help highlight the synergies between all of these projects so that over the next maybe 15 years, the group of projects will work together to strengthen our city’s economy and our city’s recreational opportunities, and the.” culture of our city,” said Mayor Sandra Masters.

The trio of proposals, if eventually approved, will shape the future of the city’s downtown core.

“We looked at a range of recreational projects, from a pool to an arena to a soccer field. So what we’re talking about here is long-term planning that will transform and activate our downtown area, and that’s very exciting,” Masters said.

The committee will develop recommendations on the three projects and other civil infrastructure projects and report on them by the end of this year.

The Lawson Aquatic Center, built in 1975 and opened in 1976. It will need a number of modernizations to extend its lifespan.

The report states that building a new facility would incur similar costs, and as a result the report recommends building a new facility for the future. With planning in the early stages, the projected cost is estimated at approximately $173 million, with construction expected to begin in 2024.

REAL was asked to provide an update on the potential replacement of The Brandt Centre, home of the Regina Pats and multi-purpose arena for events like the Canadian Western Agribition.

Five different locations were potentially evaluated by REAL and three were eventually shortlisted, all located in downtown Regina.

A new building would not mean closing the Brandt Center. REAL proposes that it be renovated together with the new building.

The final topic of discussion that could reshape downtown Regina’s core is the potential multipurpose outdoor facility with artificial turf to complement the need for a high-performance baseball field.

Details aren’t yet available, but the local council on Wednesday asked for $15,000 to fund a feasibility study for the project. The board unanimously approved a request to fund a feasibility study.