Queen City Digest

Your friendly, positive roundup of what's happening in Regina

Spring is doing something absolutely wild right now: it is actually showing up. After the brutal cold snap we had in February, the forecast for the rest of this week is genuinely hard to believe, a high of 13°C today, 18°C Thursday, 14°C Friday, and back down to a less impressive 1°C Saturday. Four consecutive above-zero days in the third week of March. Wascana is calling. It feels like the whole city just took a deep breath.

And the good news is stacking up. Regina made national headlines Monday with the biggest economic announcement this city has seen in years. A brand-new restaurant opened its doors yesterday that Saskatchewan has never seen before. New details dropped on the neighbourhood that will house tens of thousands of future Reginans. And the Pats have two home games left to close out the regular season. A lot is happening.

In today's edition:

Bell Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan announced Monday that the largest purpose-built AI data centre in Canada is coming to the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, just south of Regina. Bell is investing $1.7 billion, with construction starting this spring and the first phase online by end of 2027.

At least 800 construction jobs and 80-plus permanent positions will be created, with up to $12 billion in projected economic value for Saskatchewan over time. The project includes a partnership with George Gordon First Nation focused on Indigenous workforce development, and ties to the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Bell confirmed the facility uses a closed-loop cooling system that draws nothing from the municipal water supply.

Regina is the first city in Saskatchewan to get the Applebee's × IHOP dual-branded restaurant concept, which opened yesterday at 3698 Victoria Avenue East. The format lets guests order from both menus at the same time, with IHOP's all-day breakfast alongside Applebee's burgers, ribs, and wings. The concept launched in the United States in 2025 through parent company Dine Brands Global.

For Regina, the opening is notable on two counts. Applebee's previously had a city location before closing years ago, making this a return. IHOP has never had a standalone Saskatchewan location, making this a debut. Both at once.

Pats Playoff Push: Final Home Game Friday. The Pats dropped two tough ones over the weekend, falling 2-1 in a shootout to Prince Albert on Saturday and 5-2 in Moose Jaw on Sunday. Tabashniuk made 53 saves in the Saturday loss. After Tuesday’s 8-4 loss in Prince Albert, Regina is 25-32-7-2, sits 7th in the Eastern Conference, and has two regular-season games remaining.

The Pats return to the Brandt Centre on Friday, March 20 at 7:00 PM to host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Fan Appreciation and Player Awards Night, then close the regular season Saturday, March 21 at 5:00 PM in Brandon.

The City of Regina has released a detailed concept plan for Coopertown, the long-awaited new neighbourhood on the city's northwest edge. First approved by council back in 2017, construction on the site finally began last September after an eight-year delay caused by limited wastewater capacity. The city resolved that by front-ending the Northwest Regional Wastewater Lift Station, clearing the way for Dream Developments to move forward.

The newly published plan outlines a residential area with 1,478 to 1,725 units, a neighbourhood hub with up to 319 units, a flexible residential zone, and a Central Gateway Park at the neighbourhood's centre. The concept plan still requires city council approval before it is finalized, and the timeline for that vote has not been announced. Coopertown is expected to welcome its first residents in 2027.

🌾 Canada's Farm Show | 9:00 AM — 4:00 PM | REAL District (Tickets/Details) A major agriculture and agri-business event with equipment, innovation, and industry programming ahead of seeding season. Continues through Thursday. Canada’s Farm Show

🎭 Disney's Frozen — The Broadway Musical | 7:30 PM | Globe Theatre (Tickets) Frozen is running through Sunday, March 22, with a 7:30 PM performance on Wednesday night. globetheatrelive.com →

📚 Stay and Play | 11:30 AM — 12:30 PM | RPL — George Bothwell Branch (Free) A family-friendly library program for young children and caregivers. reginalibrary.ca →

📚 Celebrate Seniors | 1:30 PM — 3:30 PM | RPL — Regent Place Branch (Free) A weekly activity group for seniors with a welcoming community feel. reginalibrary.ca →

🎬 Robocop 2 | 7:00 PM | RPL Film Theatre — Central Library (Free) A free evening screening at the Regina Public Library Film Theatre. reginalibrary.ca →

😂 In Good Company: Improv Comedy Night | Doors 7:00 PM, Auditorium Doors 7:30 PM, Show 8:00 PM | The Artesian on 13th ($ — $15 advance / $20 door) A midweek improv comedy night at The Artesian. artesianon13th.ca →

🎸 Megastars of Country Music Tribute | 7:00 PM | Conexus Arts Centre ($) A tribute night celebrating the music of Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Brooks & Dunn. Info and tickets

🌾 Canada's Farm Show — Final Day | 9:00 AM — 4:00 PM | REAL District (Tickets/Details) Last day to catch this week's major agriculture show at REAL District. Canada’s Farm Show

🎭 Disney's Frozen — The Broadway Musical | 7:30 PM | Globe Theatre (Tickets) Another evening performance before the show closes Sunday. globetheatrelive.com →

🎨 Indigenous Survivors Gathering | 9:00 AM — 4:00 PM | MacKenzie Art Gallery (Free) A full-day gathering at the MacKenzie in partnership with Buffalo People Arts Institute. MacKenzie Art gallery

🎬 Return to Silent Hill | 7:00 PM | RPL Film Theatre — Central Library (Free) A free evening film screening at the RPL Film Theatre. reginalibrary.ca →

📚 Morning Movies and Stories | 10:00 AM — 10:30 AM | RPL — Central Library (Free) A morning program for children featuring stories and short films. reginalibrary.ca →

📚 Forever... in Motion | 1:00 PM — 2:00 PM | RPL — Sunrise Branch (Free) A gentle movement-based program for older adults. reginalibrary.ca →

🔬 STEAM Lab | 4:00 PM — 5:00 PM | RPL — Glen Elm Branch (Free) Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities for kids. reginalibrary.ca →

👑 War on the Catwalk with Alyssa Edwards | 8:00 PM | Conexus Arts Centre ($) A full drag spectacular hosted by Alyssa Edwards. Connexus Arts Centre

🏒 Regina Pats vs. Brandon Wheat Kings — Fan Appreciation and Player Awards Night | 7:00 PM | Brandt Centre ($) The Pats' final home game of the regular season, with Fan Appreciation and Player Awards Night on the program. Info & Tickets

🎭 Disney's Frozen — The Broadway Musical | 7:30 PM | Globe Theatre (Tickets) Friday night's performance is one of the final shows before closing weekend wraps on Sunday. globetheatrelive.com →

🥁 Round Dance | 4:00 PM — 11:00 PM | MacKenzie Art Gallery (Free) A free community round dance at the MacKenzie. MacKenzie Art Gallery

🎷 Dave Mossing Quintet and Culinary Extravaganza | 6:30 PM | Le Bistro / ACFR ($) A Regina Jazz event combining live music with the 9th annual culinary auction. JazzRegina

🎸 Union Duke | 7:30 PM | The Exchange ($) Union Duke brings a Friday night alt-country and rock show to The Exchange. The Exchange

🎶 Alan Doyle with The East Pointers | 8:00 PM | Conexus Arts Centre ($) Alan Doyle's Already Dancing Tour stops in Regina on Friday night. Info and Tickets

🎤 Shawn Jobin | Doors 7:00 PM, Show 8:00 PM | The Artesian on 13th ($ — $25 advance / $30 door) A Fransaskois electro hip-hop show at The Artesian. Advance tickets are available online or at Paper Umbrella, 2724 13th Avenue. artesianon13th.ca →

📚 Social Mah Jongg | 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM | RPL — Sunrise Branch (Free) A drop-in Mah Jongg session open to all levels of play. reginalibrary.ca →

📚 EAL Book Club | 1:00 PM — 2:30 PM | RPL — George Bothwell Branch (Free) A welcoming book club for English language learners. reginalibrary.ca →

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. It is a genuinely great week to be in Regina. A landmark economic announcement, a new restaurant to check out, hockey on Wednesday and Friday, live music all weekend, and actual spring weather to enjoy while it lasts.

Next edition: Friday, March 20 - your full weekend guide.

- The QCD Team