REGINA — Regina city council has taken the next step in developing The Yards.
In a unanimous vote on Wednesday, council approved a Negotiated Request for Proposal (NRFP) process for choosing a developer for The Yards. An NFRP is a flexible procurement method which allows the city to negotiate with developers on specific terms after initial proposals have been submitted.
Back in 2012, the City of Regina purchased the 17.3-acre brownfield site between Dewdney Avenue and Casino Regina for $7.5 million. The site had been used by CN Rail as its inter-modal yard.
To prepare for a new development, the City of Regina has undergone infrastructure repairs as part of the Dewdney Avenue Corridor Revitalization.
“With the underground infrastructure complete, The Yards has the potential to introduce new residents, new activities and new public spaces that will naturally enhance this district,” said Lance Donison, executive director of Regina’s Warehouse Business Improvement District.
As for the NRFP, Donsion said the district welcomes open and creative processes for the site.
Ward 2 Coun. George Tsiklis had concerns regarding developers having a different vision for The Yards from what council and the province approved in 2020.
This vision includes a neighbourhood that will provide mixed-income housing options for purchase and rental, linked across the railway tracks to downtown by pedestrian connections to local amenities, workplaces and more.
Chad Jedlic, the City of Regina’s director of land, real estate and economic development, said certain items will be required in an outline plan, including obligations under the new Building Canada Fund–Provincial and Territorial Infrastructure stream.
These include:
- Construction of one public park;
- A minimum of 150 dwelling units (up to 1,200 dwelling units);
- Up to a 50 per cent tree canopy threshold (roughly 500 trees).
Through this fund, the city could receive upwards of $5.5 million.
The rest of the development would be covered from $20.5 million in Regina’s land development reserve.
Jedlic also mentioned adequate parking designs in the plan. The city recently finished a traffic study report for the warehouse district.
“The Yards Neighbourhood will generate more parking demand, which cannot be met through surface parking alone. Structured or underground parking will be essential for development,” the report states.
The parking situation could also require additional infrastructure for a multi-purpose facility and/or baseball stadium.
Recently, the Regina Red Sox, now owned by Sean Semple’s Queen City Sports and Entertainment (QCSEG), endorsed a new baseball stadium built on The Yards.
Semple has been interested in a new development at the space since 2021.
Daren Anderson, City of Regina chief financial officer, noted there was a hold on the land for a sports stadium, which was removed by the newest council.
However, Anderson pointed out that there isn’t anything preventing a developer of The Yards from including a sports stadium in the design.
No input going forward
Tsiklis said he was worried about council having no future say in development decisions.
When negotiating an NRFP, city administration will handle finding the developer.
“[So], today is the last chance. It’s yes, go ahead, and we can’t say anything afterwards. So it feels a little restrictive to me.”
Coun. Sarah Turnbull (Ward 5) also expressed concerns about not seeing the report.
Jedlic explained developers indicated a preferred non-political process for an NRFP.
He also mentioned council’s decision-making would be incorporated into the criteria weighed in the report. These include The Yards Neighbourhood Plan, Canada Builds funding, the Regina Revitalization Initiative, the Railyard Renewal Project, and the Land Disposition and Development Strategy.
Anderson noted that if more city funds are required from a developer’s proposal, council would receive another report.
The NRFP will be issued by administration in Q1 of 2026.
