REGINA — As Brandt pursues the purchase of several buildings at the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) District owned by the City of Regina, organizers who use the spaces have voiced a mix of optimism and concerns.
Mike Reich, the owner of Young Guns Hockey Academy, which operates out of the Brandt Centre, said the news is exciting.
“I think it's very positive for the entire community and for our organization, being a youth hockey club, to have someone actively involved in hockey as the Semple family with the ownership of the Regina Pats and being involved in youth sports and in support of what we're doing.”
Documents submitted to Regina executive committee on Wednesday detail planned upgrades to the Brandt Centre upon approval of new ownership.
This includes a new exterior, sound system, seating options, etc.
Reich said the Brandt Centre is a “fortunate asset” for their academy and added that further upgrades would be welcomed.
On the flip side, Queen City Pickleball is facing uncertainty with this move, as its lease at the Avana Centre is up at the end of May.
“I don't know what the situation is with Brandt if they're purchasing it to negotiate leases or use it for their own purpose, or demolish the buildings. I have no idea what they're gonna do,” said Queen City Pickleball owner Phil Greenwood.
Greenwood said his organization has been working to renew the lease since last July and questions whether the deal contributed to delays in negotiations with REAL.
“Perhaps there was a little bit of stall tactics on their part because there was another arrangement, such as this brand purchase, that I wasn't aware of.”
Queen City Pickleball has operated out of REAL since 2021, offering over 10 indoor courts for players and athletes.
With uncertainty about its future at REAL, Greenwood said he has been exploring other options.
"I've been actively looking for other options, either lease or purchase buildings around the city. Probably our biggest hurdle would be finding a place that's suitable, that has enough open area to house plain courts without a poster or a wall that's in the way of the plain area itself.”
These requirements for a new space have removed 90 per cent of the options Greenwood looks into immediately.
Greenwood is hopeful REAL management or Brandt will sit down with his organization soon to get a deal done quickly.
The proposed deal between Regina and Brandt requires approval at exec committee before moving to city council on May 6 for a final vote.
