Regina Construction III

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by StealthGirl

In the provincial budget, the province is taking over responsibility for Wascana Centre. Curious to see if that puts a halt to some of the damn building in the park since the mayor can't say no to anything.

Once again, the Mayor (or, more accurately - City Council) did not, nor could he make this decision. Council could have exercised a degree of control by not giving the parcel of land to the UofR - this would only have served to force the UofR to locate the building in a different spot (likely south of Darke Hall, rather than west of it). The City has absolutely no say in development within the Centre... Wascana Centre can opt out of any City plan, bylaw, etc that it wishes to (Councillors & the Mayor obviously exerted influence, and Wascana, the UofR & City tended to collaborate on planning processes & documents).

The Province currently holds 5 out of 11 Wascana Centre Board seats. The budget announcement will change little when it comes to College Ave. As noted before, the Province has no interest in seeing the College Ave Campus collapse, but they also don't have the finances to cover the costs Conexus is picking up... there was zero chance Provincial Board members were voting against the project. All they need is one additional vote, and the UofR was certainly not going to vote against it. Even in your dream world, where every City Board member stood up & said NO!, the Conexus proposal would have passed 8 to 3.

So, no - this changes nothing regarding the Conexus project.

As I've said before, the Brandt project has always been a longshot, as the Wascana Board has been quite protective of the Centre's mandate ("the development of the seat of Government, the enlargement of educational, research and development opportunities, the advancement of cultural arts, the improvement of recreational facilities and the conservation of the environment"). The Conexus building itself - despite its critics' concerns - does not set a precedent & open up the flood gates to commercial development. This said, the Province hasn't exactly been great at saying no to major businesses in this province - so, if anything, I'd say this change increases (ever so slightly) the chance that Brandt & other commercial projects go ahead.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Once again, the Mayor (or, more accurately - City Council) did not, nor could he make this decision. Council could have exercised a degree of control by not giving the parcel of land to the UofR - this would only have served to force the UofR to locate the building in a different spot (likely south of Darke Hall, rather than west of it).

The Province holds 5 out of 11 Wascana Centre Board seats. This change will change little. As noted before, the Province has no interest in seeing the College Ave Campus collapse, but they also don't have the finances to cover the costs Conexus is picking up... there was zero chance Provincial Board members were voting against the project. All they need is one additional vote - the UofR was certainly not going to vote against it. Even if in your dream world where every City Board member stood up & said NO!, the Conexus proposal would have passed 8 to 3.

So, no - this changes nothing regarding the Conexus project.

As I've said before, the Brandt project has always been a longshot, as the Wascana Board has been quite protective of the Centre's mandate ("the development of the seat of Government, the enlargement of educational, research and development opportunities, the advancement of cultural arts, the improvement of recreational facilities and the conservation of the environment"). The Conexus building - despite its critics' concerns - does not set a precedent & open up the flood gates to commercial development. This said, the Province hasn't exactly been great at saying no to major businesses in this province - so, if anything, I'd say this change increases (ever so slightly) the chance that Brandt & other commercial projects go ahead.

I don't see how you can say it doesn't open it to commercial development. Of course it does! It might not happen, but a random, unnecessary development provides an opening. It just does.

The province, obviously, could have chosen to fix the College Ave Campus. They simply chose to allocate funds elsewhere. The $8.25 million Conexus is providing is a drop in the bucket that does NOTHING log term.

[Electric Ashlar]

I hear the aurora mall is in the works.

http://www.shopataurora.ca/location

AURORA is located in East Regina on Victoria Avenue East at the new Trans-Canada Highway Bypass.
AURORA will be the newest regional retail site servicing Regina as the dominant urban shopping centre approved for the next phase of the city’s growth.

Property Description
Retail site area total = 68 acres
Retail uses = 750,000 sq. ft.
Highway #1 exposure
One of the City’s fastest growing trade
areas; adding approx. 20,000
residents in the next 10 years

That will be a nice new addition to the scene along with the new bypass/much needed surgery to Regina's main arteries .

[BrutallyDishonest2]

It's been in the works since last summer.

[thefourthtower]

http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/province-cut...ding-takes-over-wascana-centre-1.3336678
Province cuts $400K from Meewasin funding, takes over Wascana Centre
Wascana, meanwhile, will move solely under the province’s control. The City of Regina and the University of Regina will no longer be involved in Wascana Centre’s management and operation.

“Wascana Centre is not only home to the Legislative Building and the seat of government, but also a place the province’s people and visitors truly cherish,” said Christine Tell, the minister responsible for the provincial capital commission, in a news release.

“I want to offer reassurances that under the new model we will continue to invest in infrastructure and make sure the park is well-maintained for all those who enjoy the beauty of this natural and recreational area.”The city and university will still be involved in the park via committee, but the Wascana Centre will now be part of the provincial capital commission, which will oversee assets like the park, Government House and the legislative precinct

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

I don't see how you can say it doesn't open it to commercial development. Of course it does! It might not happen, but a random, unnecessary development provides an opening. It just does.

THE SKY IS FALLING!!!
No. It isn't... or at least, it wasn't before yesterday's budget announcement.

Did Conexus provide a teeny, tiny bit better argument for commercial development in the Centre than there was a year ago? Sure. But the Board has been shooting down commercial requests for decades. Decades.

With reasonable funding historically, they routinely said no. As funding (province being the largest funder) dropped, they've had more pressure to find other options. Until Conexus, they'd avoided commercializing the Centre.

As I said, with the Prov fully in control, I suspect the probability of saying no to a major funder becomes less likely. Does Conexus contribute to this? Probably a bit - but nowhere near as much as (at least) a decade of provincial funding cutbacks.

The province, obviously, could have chosen to fix the College Ave Campus. They simply chose to allocate funds elsewhere. The $8.25 million Conexus is providing is a drop in the bucket that does NOTHING log term.

Conexus' contribution is well beyond $8.25million. They're paying for Darke Hall's upgrades ($9-10million), maintenance of the area for 90 years, and providing access to space in their facility to the UofR (capital cost & maint avoidance is a real, long-term benefit to the UofR).

Did Conexus get a helluva deal? Absolutely. Is this the ideal result? Nope. But, as I've said before, I pragmatically support it, because the only other alternative (after several unsuccessful years of fundraising) is to allow the College Ave buildings to crumble.

[jigglysquishy]

The province was the driving factor in pushing for commercial development in the park.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

The province was the driving factor in pushing for commercial development in the park.

Exactly - this is where I am coming from: the responsibility for this discussion rests not with the City, or UofR, or even Conexus... it sits with Provincial funding decisions. With the Prov now squarely in the Wascana Centre driver's seat, I don't see them suddenly opening up their wallets. With stagnant funding, the Centre will either deteriorate, or alternation sources of revenue will be explored.

Wascana has been underfunded for years - it's not surprising that the UofR & City suggested that the Prov take on fully responsibility... the UofR/City had very little control over the Centre's strategic direction, so the entity already effectively controlling the Centre (by way of controlling purse-strings) may as well take on formal control.

[Drofmab]

One of the odd things about the Province assuming control of Wascana Centre is the speaking points about the difficulty in getting things done within the centre...

The province’s hope is that this change will streamline operations and investments and bring stability to the funding of Wascana Centre.

“It is incredibly difficult to get things done,” Finance Minister Kevin Doherty said. “There has been some longstanding difficulties in resolving who is responsible for paying what in the park and the development of the park.”

One of the issues at Wascana Centre, according to Doherty, is the fact that the three organizations own different lands within the park.

“There has been long-standing difficulties in resolving who is responsible for paying for what in the park, and the development of the park,” Doherty said. “Inside the park, the City of Regina owns specific lands, the university owns specific lands and the province owns specific lands.”

Before making a judgment call on the decision, Fougere would like to see what comes from further negotiations.
source: Leader-Post

Unless Government Services negotiates maintenance agreements with the UofR & City (as well as Feds, SaskPower, FNUC), the Province taking control of Wascana doesn't change the issues identified above - land ownership isn't changing hands (unless I missed expropriation talk). Wascana Centre has always had maintenance agreements with landowners within the Centre for some services, while other services the owners handle on their own (e.g. Wascana used to be responsible for snow clearing/removal at the UofR... the UofR took over responsibility & contracted it out 15-20years ago).

Certainly, the Province taking control streamlines strategic direction, and some operational aspects - but it doesn't change the issues the Minister mentions in the LP article.

[Electric Ashlar]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

It's been in the works since last summer.

True...but I wasn't present so it was a happy belated's worth.

[Udon'tknow]

A few pics from today:

Future H&M:


College Building and Darke Hall Revitalizations:

[Treesplease]

There seems to be quite a bit of work going into the old Marks workwarehouse location out on the east end. Likely prepping for a new tennant - does anyone know who/what is going in there?

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Treesplease

There seems to be quite a bit of work going into the old Marks workwarehouse location out on the east end. Likely prepping for a new tennant - does anyone know who/what is going in there?

Insurance company is the tenant.

[Treesplease]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Insurance company is the tenant.

thanks.

[yveseluj]

This building is being reno'd and looks good. Have no idea what's going in there. Anyone?

[Stormer]

With the massive Brandt investment in its Saskatoon wind turbine plant, there is bad new for Regina:

Except for Brandt’s new Engineering Centre, currently under construction, we have temporarily suspended our other expansion plans in Regina until our manufacturing future planning is complete and a number of development issues are worked out”, concludes Semple.

What were their other expansion plans? I assume it was at their Ag division.

[UPP]

Originally Posted by Stormer

With the massive Brandt investment in its Saskatoon wind turbine plant, there is bad new for Regina:

What were their other expansion plans? I assume it was at their Ag division.

Even the Saskatoon investment is not a done deal. They stated in the original article that it is contingent on government help.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by UPP

Even the Saskatoon investment is not a done deal. They stated in the original article that it is contingent on government help.

Except they already have purchased the building and all the equipment. The rest is just a negotiating position IMO.

Edit: although Plan B could be a giant legal marijuana grow op!

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Stormer

With the massive Brandt investment in its Saskatoon wind turbine plant, there is bad new for Regina:

What were their other expansion plans? I assume it was at their Ag division.

They were/are expanding their Brandt Engineered Products division.

[Electric Ashlar]

What were their other expansion plans? I assume it was at their Ag division.

Speaking of Brandt...

Several days prior to Elon Musk's announcement of his ITS plans @International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico.

In autumn of 2016 I relocated:

Darcy Paul
Product Specialist-Mining at Brandt Engineered Products
Regina, Saskatchewan, CanadaMining & Metals



Credit: Brandt.ca

https://www.brandt.ca/

During the conversations I had while the process progressed I found an ear that was open to Mars.
Ascertaining that he worked in the design/engineering of mining machinery etc at a major manufacturer(brandt.ca) was way cool.

I informed him that Elon Musk was about to make an announcement at the IAC about mars and that he was founder of pay-pal and spacex and tesla and...

He said he was "Well Aware" of everything I just said and it wasn't news to him!

Image Credit:SpaceX
Not knowing what Spacex would reveal I was still calling ITS(interplanetary transport System) the 'mars colonial transporter' and I said to him:

image credit SpaceX
Even if maybe,Brandt, as a corporation does have future plans for off-world machinery,You(Darcy)could with your expertise get in on the ground floor and privately design future solutions as a private enterpri$e in your spare time.

He chuckled about singlehandedly designing 'Mars Machines.'

There was a caveat though relating to what Musk was about to announce at the IAC on Sept.28 if anything.(He announced the I.T.S.)

As a Company, he was confident to say-

Brandt itself will be ready when Musk is . -Darcy Paul
Product Specialist-Mining at Brandt Engineered Products