Regina city councillors propose stop to commercial developments in Wascana Park

Three city councillors want to put a halt to any further commercial development in Regina'sWascana Park.

Bob Hawkins, Lori Bresciani and Andrew Stevens will submita notice of motion at Monday's city council meeting urging the city to protect the park fromfuturecommercial construction.

"Wascana Park is central to citizens' quality of life, enables residents of all ages and economic background to gather for recreation and social activities," said the motion.

"Therefore be it resolved that City Councilcommit to protecting Wascana Park from future commercial development that is not directly intended to serve the needs of, or benefits those, using the park."

The councillors also want Mayor Michael Fougere to send a letter tothe Government of Saskatchewan and Provincial Capital Commission opposing further commercial development. Furthermore,they want the Commission to start public consultations about the park's future.

The motionwill be discussed at a city council meeting inAugust.

No Business in the Park

Protests have been surfacing in Reginaas two commercial developments are underwayfor the park.

In 2016, Regina city council agreed to donate 1.1 hectares of park land that will be used for a 80,000-square-foot ConexusCredit Union office building.

As part of the deal,Conexuswill donate $8.25 million to the University of Regina for upgrades to its College Avenue campus. The company will also help finance renovations toDarkeHall, which ison the edge of the park south of College Avenue.

Conexusstill needs approval on the final project design, which will be presented to the Provincial Capital Commissionthis spring.

Brandt Industries also has plans to build a 70,000-square-foot building in Wascana. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind(CNIB) is set to be one of Brandt'stenants.

The planned new building will sit on park landsouth of College Avenue and west of Broad Street.

The two commercial projects are the only ones that have been announced, and MayorMichael Fougerehas said in the past there's no plans to further develop WascanaPark beyond whathasalready been made public.