Queen City Digest - January 19 2026

Happy Monday, Regina.

If your brain feels like it’s still buffering from the weekend, same. The good news: this week has a very clear personality — cold, then colder, then “why do we live here again?” 🥶 (And then we’ll all be fine, because we always are.)

Today’s mission is simple: lock in your week’s “one fun thing,” and give yourself a few easy wins (skate or maybe just imagine skating, show, hot chocolate, a library drop-in, whatever gets you out of the house for 45 minutes). Also: if you’ve been meaning to plan a winter festival outing… the schedule drops are happening. 👀

Regina reality check: this is a “short errands, warm exits” week.

The majority of outdoor rinks are open for the season, with more opening as ice conditions allow. The update also highlights just how much skating infrastructure Regina has: indoor arenas, shinny sites, and more than 50 outdoor rinks across the city.

If skating is your winter sanity activity, this is your reminder to bookmark the rink list and treat it like a menu. Also: outdoor rinks are part of the City’s Winter City Stamp Rally, if you like gamifying your weekends.

Why it matters: Free, simple winter fun that’s actually easy to say yes to on a weeknight.

FROST Regina has released its full 2026 schedule, and it’s packed with “make winter feel like a festival” energy: skating, Indigenous games, horse and wagon rides, live theatre, dogsledding, and the brewery hop circuit.

The City also notes ticketed pieces tied to major programming (including theatre), and new food-focused offerings like FROST brunches at Conexus Arts Centre. If you like to plan ahead (or hate sold-out surprises), now’s the time to peek at the calendar and pick your one or two must-dos.

Why it matters: This is one of the easiest ways to make January feel like it has a personality.

A quick refresher worth keeping in your back pocket: when the City declares snow routes, on-street parking is temporarily not allowed along those signed routes so crews can clear curb-to-curb. It’s a short window, but it’s the kind of thing that’s annoying to learn the hard way.

If you’re a “park on the street overnight” household, the City points residents to tools like the Regina Sweep & Plow app and online notifications, plus the snow route map so you can check your block before you settle in for the night.

Why it matters: Fewer surprise tickets/tows, and smoother plowing on busy roads.

The University of Regina has posted a draft strategic plan (2025–2035) and is inviting members of the U of R community to review it and send feedback by January 30, 2026.

If you’re a student, staff member, alum, or just someone who cares about the direction of a major city institution, this is a rare “you can actually weigh in” moment — especially on priorities that can shape programs, partnerships, and campus experience over the next decade.

Why it matters: Big institutions don’t pivot quickly — early input is one of the few levers people have.

The Pats had a statement night with a 7–0 win over Swift Current at the Brandt Centre — their third straight win at the time. The game featured offence across the lineup, and goaltender Marek Schlenker earned his first WHL shutout (stopping 22 shots).

Then came a tough one: the Victoria Royals jumped out early and snapped the win streak with a 5–2 win. It’s the kind of weekend that screams “WHL season = momentum swings.”

Why it matters: If you’re following the playoff chase, every streak (good or bad) shapes the weeks ahead.

If your January needs a little sparkle, consider claiming a table at one of the FROST brunch events at Conexus Arts Centre (noted in the City’s FROST schedule announcement). It’s the perfect “treat yourself” plan that still ends early enough to salvage the rest of your day.

Do this: pick a date now, text one friend, and make it a yes.

Planning ahead (because you’ll thank yourself later):

Use this like a menu. Pick what you want. Ignore the rest.

Mon: Warm-up walk + early night (tomorrow’s snow = future-you appreciates prep).
Tue: Snow day logistics + cozy indoor plan (library or a quick rink watch).
Wed: Choose one “fun errand” (coffee + one small store + home).
Thu: Ultra-cold = indoor culture night (gallery, show, or an early dinner).
Fri: Pats / sports night energy, or a low-stakes movie-at-home night.
Sat: Make winter social: rinks + hot chocolate, or an evening show.
Sun: Reset day: laundry, meal prep, and pick next week’s one nice thing.

That’s your Monday starter pack, Regina. If you do one thing this week: pick your FROST plan now (even if it’s just “brunch + one outdoor thing”).

Reply and tell me: what’s your winter reset move — skating, sauna, coffee, or “I refuse to leave my house”?

If this made your morning easier, forward it to a friend who loves a plan. 💛