Taylor Field site: Regina is closer to federal funding for development

The City of Regina could be getting some help from the federal government to redevelop the old Taylor Field site. 

On Wednesday, Regina’s executive committee unanimously voted to allow the city to apply for the May 20th intake of the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF ) — Provincial Territorial Stream.

However, final approval is still required at next week’s city council meeting.
Estimated costs for the project are at $20.9 million and the CHIF would cover $10.5 million of it.

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The site has been vacant since 2017, when the old Mosaic Stadium was demolished. For many years, it had been suggested that the land would be used for affordable housing, but the idea never materialized.

Ward 2 Coun. George Tsiklis is glad steps are being taken to develop the area, but expressed disappointment in how long it has taken.

“We told our people that when Taylor Field was knocked down, we would build affordable housing. That was more than eight years ago. Shame on us,” Tsiklis said during Wednesday’s meeting.

“There’s a reason we lost trust with the electorate and this is one of the big reasons.”

The Taylor Field Redevelopment project will include the creation of underground water, wastewater and rainwater infrastructure, as well as roads and a green space.

Chad Jedlic, city director of land, real estate and economic development, said there isn’t yet a final vision for the types of properties the land would be used for – but said it would be a “mixed-use” housing community that would have affordable and at-market housing.

“While the infrastructure is being designed this year, planning will also be engaging with community and industry on that exact vision and what sort of housing types to bring to market,” Jedlic said.

While reading the administration’s report, Acting City Manager Jim Nicol said the project will facilitate the redevelopment of about seven acres of residential land.

To apply for CHIF cost-sharing partnership would require the city to commit $3.8 million or 26.7 per cent of the total cost.

In March, the council approved the transfer of $1 million from the Land Development Reserve to fund the design of infrastructure in the area this year and requested funds to construct the infrastructure that needs approval at the 2026 budget deliberations.

Jedlic said the redevelopment is being strategically considered as part of the North Central Revitalization.