News Release

May 20, 2004

SOD TURNING CELEBRATES REGINA’S NEW MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY

REGINA, Saskatchewan - Regina’s new $12 million multi-purpose sport and convention facility moved another step closer to reality today as the official sod-turning ceremony took place at Regina Exhibition Park. The project, which was announced last October, will be completed in the spring of 2005 and will serve as an important new asset to North Central Regina.

The multi-purpose facility is the latest major infrastructure project for urban revitalization initiatives in Regina, which also included the deepening of Wascana Lake. The project is funded jointly by the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government contributing $5 million, $4 million and $3 million respectively. In addition, the Regina Soccer Association has committed to provide a significant community investment towards the new facility.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to partner in creating a facility that will strengthen Regina’s recreation facility corridor and uplift the North Central community,” said Finance Minister Ralph Goodale. “As the construction of this multi-purpose facility begins to take shape, we are going to see our community’s vitality, spirit, and economic well-being rise with it.”

“We are pleased to contribute to this lasting legacy that will enhance sport and recreation opportunities for Regina,” said Len Taylor Minister of Government Relations. “This new facility, will attract national and international participants and visitors to events at Regina Exhibition Park and in turn showcase Regina and Saskatchewan to the world.”

“Regina Exhibition Park provides a vital component to the business, recreation and cultural life of our community. The construction of this new facility in the heart of our inner city will create even more potential for the Park to fulfill that role,” said Mayor Fiacco. “The City of Regina is proud to partner with the provincial and federal governments in this valuable investment in the future of our community."

Regina Exhibition Park Past Chair Del Robertson noted that today’s ceremony not only marks the ongoing re-development of Regina Exhibition Park, but the celebration of the collective vision of sport, business and community organizations working together to create a facility that would fill the needs of many. “This new multi-purpose facility will provide for much needed indoor recreational space, flexible trade and convention space that will benefit existing clients while creating new opportunities to attract major events to the City of Regina, and provide residents of North Central Regina new programming, services and employment opportunities.”

Construction of the new multi-purpose facility, which will be connected to and integrated with the existing Queensbury Downs, will begin in June. The new structure will be nearly 90,000 square feet, feature 35-foot high ceilings and bleacher seating for 1,000. Its location, on the east side of Regina Exhibition Park, will complement Regina’s ‘sports corridor’ which presently includes Taylor Field, the Regina SportPlex and the Regina Agridome.

Contacts:

Mark Allan
President and CEO
Regina Exhibition Park
(306) 781-9221

Sandy Gousseau
General Manager - Public Affairs City of Regina
(306) 777-7486

Joanne Mysak
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 975-5942
1-888-338-9378

Cathy Gourlie
Communications Consultant
Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs
(306) 787-2687

BACKGROUNDER

Regina Exhibition Park Multi-Purpose Facility

Construction of Regina’s new $12 million multi-purpose facility located at Regina Exhibition Park will begin in June and will be completed in the spring of 2005. This new facility, which has received federal, provincial and municipal infrastructure funding, will support the urban revitalization initiatives of Regina, including the Wascana Lake deepening project. In addition, the Regina Soccer Association has committed to provide a significant community investment towards the project.

Construction of the facility includes renovations of the former Queensbury Downs grandstand and racetrack at Regina Exhibition Park. It will be connected to and integrated with the existing Queensbury Centre. This project represents the long-range plan for the re-development of Regina Exhibition Park and its vision for the future, which includes development on the east side of the park, dedicated to sports and recreation.

The expansive new building will total nearly 90,000 square feet and will feature a 35 foot high ceiling, bleacher seating for 1,000 people and will be clear span (no pillars) making it adaptable to many recreational, community and business events. In addition, the building will feature a 4,000 square foot viewing mezzanine and new salons and meeting rooms in the upper Queensbury facility. The new building will be the length of Taylor Field from goal line to goal line - 110 yards long and 70 yards wide; a football field is 55 yards wide. This space will offer the opportunity for indoor soccer to be played on a regulation-sized playing surface and for Regina Exhibition Park to offer exhibit space for over 400 exhibits all under one large roof.

Located on the east end of Regina Exhibition park and in close proximity to Taylor Field and the Regina SportPlex, the new facility will complement existing venues in Regina’s “sports corridor’. The facility will be able to provide 1, 2, 4 or 8 indoor soccer fields, which will be utilized by over 4,000 youth and adults for the indoor soccer season, which runs from October to April each year.

In addition to providing much needed indoor recreational space, the flexibility of the facility for new trade and convention space will create new opportunities to attract major events to the City of Regina. Regional events such as Buffalo Days and international events such as Canadian Western Agribition, the Western Canada Farm Progress Show and The Royal Red already being held at Regina Exhibition Park will also benefit by the additional space.

Highlights

• New $ 12 million multi-purpose facility which will be completed in spring 2005.
• Nearly 90,000 square feet – 110 yards long, 70 yards wide, as long as a Taylor Field from goal line to goal line and 15 feet wider under one roof.
• Bleacher seating for 1,000 people.
• 35 foot high ceilings.
• Clear span space meaning no pillars throughout.
• Will feature a 4,000 square foot viewing mezzanine and salons and meeting rooms in the upper Queensbury.
• Facility will be able to provide over 400 new exhibit spaces for trade show events.
• Ability to hold 1, 2, 4 or 8 soccer fields at once serving the needs of over 4,000 youth and adults twenty-six weeks of the year.
• Architects for the project, Saunders Evans Architects Inc.
• Construction Manager Dominion Construction Ltd.
  

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