This year’s Summer in the Square will see some expansions thanks to a new partnership.

The Regina Downtown Business Improvement District and Regina Pats are teaming up to help increase programming and services in the heart of the city throughout the summer. Summer in the Square brings summer activities and programming to Victoria Park for all ages.

Pats Chief Operating Officer Stacey Cattell says they have singed on for the next 10 years. “This park is going to continue to grow, it’s going to continue to be a center of activity here in the city of Regina. Judith and her team are doing great things. There’s stuff coming up, viewing parties, all that kind of stuff and we just think it’s a worthwhile venture to be involved with.”

RDBID Executive Director Judith Veresuk says this is great for the annual event moving into the future. “I think all the gloves are off now. We are going to be able to expand as we see fit, as the demand is there, it will allow us to be more responsive to different trends we see happening in the marketplace and it just gives us that stability knowing that we have a partner there behind us that is going to support us all the way.”

One of the businesses that runs a program is already seeing the benefits of this. Queen City Collective hosts a Work Outside the Box program, which allows people to leave the office and do their work while enjoying the sun. This is not being expanded from one day a week to two. Owner Christina Carlson says this is very exciting. “I think it creates momentum for other organizations and partnerships to come in as well and to keep this city alive downtown.”

This partnership will also bring in a Regina Pats Visitor Service Pavilion, which is currently under construction and should be opening in July.