REGINA — A new AI data centre planned southeast of Regina is seen as a massive win for local officials.
The 300 MW data centre in the RM of Sherwood will bring $12 billion in economic impact for the province, along with approximately 800 construction jobs, roughly 80 permanent jobs, and an additional 750 economic spin-offs.
At an official announcement on Monday, Mayor Chad Bachynski said the city is focused on the possibilities the centre will create for people.
“There’s are opportunities for people to live in Regina. There’s job opportunities, and there's educational opportunities. So I think we see really being the liveability hub of this data centre right beside.”
Economic Development Regina (EDR) CEO John Bailey called this a “larger-scale investment into the city.”
“Opportunities like this would not come along every day in terms of things that we're looking at for potential in the near future.”
The data centre will involve collaboration between Bell Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan.
Bailey said this partnership shows Regina is open for business.
“The fact that major corporations are looking to set up significant investments here is really an exciting piece."
During the announcement, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic mentioned partnering with Sask. Polytechnic and the University of Regina for students to receive training and hands-on experience with artificial intelligence.
Bailey said ensuring the area has a labour-ready workforce through post-secondary education will have a huge impact on the community.
EDR plans to scope the economic impact of the data centre through its own report.
“The upside is quite significant. So we're excited to see how those numbers come out.”
In addition to the RM of Sherwood, other municipalities, including the RM of Edenwold, have also received inquiries about data centres.
However, Bailey said discussions about future tech companies looking at Regina and the surrounding areas aren’t on EDR’s radar currently.
“It doesn't mean those conversations haven't happened, but they haven't been at the point where they sort of be debriefed to me as part of onboarding as sort of imminent pieces.”
Construction for the data centre will begin this spring, with the facility launching in stages.
The first stage is expected to be completed in mid-2027.
