REGINA, Sask. — Over the next five years, the City of Regina plans to invest nearly $1 billion in capital projects.
The city has released its 2027 to 2031 general capital plan as part of its early budget discussions, outlining some of its largest planned investments for the coming years.
Indoor aquatics facility
Regina’s upcoming Indoor Aquatics Facility (IAF) is estimated to cost nearly $170 million and is intended to open in 2029, with $101 million of the project funded through debt.
The provincial and federal governments have also contributed nearly $39 million to the IAF.
Once opened, the city said the new facility will address Regina’s top recreational priority identified in the 2019 Recreation Master Plan and meet national competition standards, while also featuring a significant leisure aquatic component, modern community spaces, amenities and change rooms designed to create a multifunctional, inclusive, accessible and sustainable facility.
The IAF will also use a geothermal heating system, which is expected to cost more than $16 million and be primarily funded through roughly $13 million in debt.
Transit fleet replacement
The city is looking to replace a large portion of its transit and paratransit fleet, with the report warning that aging vehicles could contribute to increased safety incidents, reduced rider and operator confidence, a higher risk of service disruptions and potential declines in transit use.
The fleet replacement is expected to cost more than $115 million over the five-year period, with Regina using its transit fleet replacement reserve to cover roughly $103 million and federal funding accounting for another $12 million.
Civic fleet replacement
Each year, the city replaces equipment used for snow clearing, roadway construction, golf courses, water failures and other services.
While the city is considering deferring the replacements as an alternative, doing so could result in escalating maintenance costs, increased downtime, disruptions to service delivery and a greater need to rent equipment to maintain service levels.
Over the next five years, the city intends to spend more than $57 million on civic fleet replacements through a dedicated reserve.
Facilities asset management
The Facilities Asset Management program provides funding for projects identified through the Facilities Capital Planning Program and other condition assessments, including roof replacements, structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical upgrades, as well as code and safety improvements.
The program includes projects that may affect staff and users during construction, with work scheduled and co-ordinated to minimize disruptions while ensuring essential building systems are maintained and suitable spaces remain available to deliver services.
Over the next five years, the city plans to invest more than $49 million in the program through tax funding.
Councillors will have the opportunity to discuss the capital plan on Tuesday during a special council meeting.
