👑 Sloths are in Regina this weekend

Happy Friday, Regina! 👋

We have officially turned the page to May, and the city is feeling alive with spring energy. Temperatures are climbing to around 21°C today, touching 22°C by Sunday, and the weekend is shaping up to be one of the best of the year so far. The golf courses open this morning, the Farmers' Market is back downtown tomorrow for the first time and a big week of local news gives us plenty to dig into before you head out the door.

In today's edition:

🏗️ Brandt's $113M vision for the REAL District clears its first vote

⛳ Regina golf courses open today after a record 2025 season

🛒 Farmers' Market returns to Pat Fiacco Plaza tomorrow

⚡ SaskPower investing $9M in downtown electrical upgrades this summer

🏠 Province halts plans to move Regina seniors from longtime public housing

🌳 Cathedral neighbourhood comes together to reimagine Holy Rosary Park

🥩 Babco Meats wins at the 2026 Paragon Awards

📅 Your events guide for May 1st - 3rd

🏗️ CITY

Brandt's $113M Vision for the REAL District Moves One Giant Step Closer

Regina's executive committee voted Wednesday to move the Brandt Group's proposal to acquire a large portion of the REAL District campus forward to a full council vote on May 6. Under the negotiated terms, Brandt, owned by Shaun Semple, would purchase nine assets including the Brandt Centre, Queensbury Centre, Canada Centre Building, and Ag-EX Building for $6.4 million, while committing to a total investment of $113 million in upgrades and improvements. City officials say the deal would save taxpayers roughly $79 million over five years by transferring a significant operating and maintenance burden to private hands.

Semple's vision is to turn the REAL District into a year-round destination hosting between 90 and 120 events annually, roughly double the current amount and comparable to Saskatoon. Plans include exterior upgrades to the Brandt Centre, new digital signage, an upgraded sound system, and improved accessibility across the campus. Brandt says it wants exterior upgrades completed before Regina hosts the Grey Cup in 2027. The full council vote is May 6, and many of us will be watching closely.

⛳ LIFESTYLE

Fore! Regina's Golf Courses Are Open for the Season Starting Today

Spring is official in the most satisfying way: the fairways are ready and the Queen City's golfers have been waiting. Three of Regina's municipal courses, Murray Golf Course, Tor Hill Golf Course, and Joanne Goulet Golf Course, open for the 2026 season today, Friday, May 1. The Royal Regina Golf Club also welcomes its first tee times this morning. Deer Valley Golf Course, just a short drive from the city, opens tomorrow. Driving ranges at the city courses have already been operating for a couple of weeks, so if you have been shaking off the rust early, you are already ahead of the crowd.

Anticipation is especially high this year following a record 2025 season, when more than 140,000 rounds were played on city courses alone. Tee times for all city courses can be booked online up to five days in advance at Regina.ca/Golf, though all reservations remain weather dependent. The Lakeview Par 3, a great option for beginners and families, opens May 8. Get out there this weekend.

🛒 COMMUNITY

The Farmers' Market Is Back Downtown Tomorrow, and It Feels Like a Homecoming

The Regina Farmers' Market is returning to its downtown home. The outdoor Saturday markets will return to Pat Fiacco Plaza for the 2026 season, starting May 2 and running through October 10. Both Saturday and Wednesday outdoor markets will operate at Pat Fiacco Plaza this year, making it a full return to the organization's longtime home on 12th Avenue. A survey of more than 1,700 people found an overwhelming preference for downtown, with customers citing atmosphere, walkability, transit access, and connections to surrounding businesses as key reasons.

Executive director Holly Laird said the plaza has always felt like home, and returning gives the market the opportunity to bring people together around local food in the heart of the city. Whether you are stocking up on produce, browsing fresh-baked goods and preserves, or just soaking up a warm spring Saturday downtown, tomorrow's opening day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM is the place to be.

⚡ CITY UPDATE

SaskPower Is Putting $9 Million Into Downtown Regina's Electrical Infrastructure This Summer

SaskPower will invest $9 million in upgrades to downtown Regina's electrical system this year, with crews working from May through October replacing underground cables, duct banks, and other aging equipment as part of a multi-year reliability program. The work will take place along streets, sidewalks, and alleys throughout the core, and while some disruptions are expected, the corporation says it is coordinating closely with the City of Regina to minimize the impact. Planned outage information will be available through MySaskPower accounts and the SaskPower app, and road restrictions can be viewed on the city's website.

SaskPower president and CEO Rupen Pandya noted that the corporation has invested close to $50 million in downtown Regina's electrical infrastructure over the past five years. This latest project is designed to ensure the downtown core has the power capacity it needs as the city grows and as Regina prepares to host major events including the 2027

🏠 HOUSING

Province Halts Plans to Move Regina Seniors From Their Longtime Public Housing Homes

The Saskatchewan government has paused a plan that would have required some seniors to move out of public housing apartments after facing mounting criticism. The policy had asked longtime residents of a Regina public housing complex to vacate their units in order to free up space for families, prompting significant pushback from the affected seniors and community advocates. Deborah Stumph, 74, who had lived at the Rochdale apartment complex for 30 years, said the prospect of starting over felt deeply unfair: "I have to start all over again, why should I at 74-years-old?"

The province listened, and the pause is welcome news for the residents involved. Rickey Lamha, who had lived there for 13 years, had spoken about his family nearby, his support systems, his family doctor, and accessibility modifications made to his suite. These are not abstract housing units. They are homes, built over years. The government says it is reviewing the broader policy, and advocates are hopeful that the review will put long-term residents first.

🌳 COMMUNITY

Cathedral Neighbourhood Comes Together to Reimagine Holy Rosary Park

A vacant stretch of grass and missing playground equipment has residents in Regina's Cathedral neighbourhood asking what comes next for Holy Rosary Park, following the demolition of the former Holy Rosary School and Catholic Education Centre. Neighbours gathered recently for an "Ideas Jam" to share their vision for how the land should be rebuilt, with participants including children contributing ideas for gardens, play spaces, and community gathering areas. The event was originally planned outdoors but was moved inside due to snow, and still drew strong community interest.

🥩 SUPPORT LOCAL

Babco Meats Takes Home a 2026 Paragon Award

Since opening their Highway 11 location in 2024, Babco Meats has expanded to both Regina and Saskatoon, offering custom cutting, curing, and wrapping for beef, pork, lamb, and bison, along with locally raised meats including aged beef. That rapid growth and commitment to quality has now earned them recognition at the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Paragon Awards, where they were among this year's honoured recipients. It is the kind of local success story that deserves a moment of recognition.

If you have not stopped in yet, this is your prompt. Check out their house-made sausages and their famous beef jerky, sliced and smoked on site. Supporting a local award winner is always a win for your dinner table.

Babco Meats

May 1 - 3, 2026

FRIDAY, MAY 1

🖼️ Brushworks Art Guild Spring Art Show and Sale | Art Gallery of Regina | 2420 Elphinstone Street | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Free admission, free parking All original works, no prints, from a group of Regina-area artists. Today is the second-to-last day before the show closes Saturday afternoon. A lovely way to spend a spring Friday. Info

⛳ City Golf Courses Open for the Season | Murray, Tor Hill, and Joanne Goulet | Various locations | All day | Paid | Welcome to golf season, Regina. Tee times bookable online at Regina.ca/Golf.

🦁 Wildlife Festival — Opening Day | Bunge International Trade Centre | REAL District | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | General admission $17.95 + tax | VIP $195 + tax | Cobbs Exotic Animal Rescue brings a one-of-a-kind experience to Regina for the long weekend. Meet and learn about exotic rescued animals from across Western Canada as well as sloths, kangaroos, and more. Perfect for the whole family. Runs all three days this weekend. Details

🍺 First Firkin Friday: Cinco de Mayo Edition | Bushwakker Brewpub | 2206 Dewdney Avenue | 5:30 PM | Free entry Regina's favourite monthly brewery tradition gets a festive twist this month. Details

🏆 Battle of the Prairies XX | Conexus Arts Centre | 200 Lakeshore Drive | 7:00 PM | Paid admission | The 20th edition of this long-running Prairie competition event comes to Conexus Arts Centre tonight. Check the link for what is on the card. Tickets

🎸 Strung Out + Belvedere | The Exchange | 2431 8th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Paid admission Two energetic punk rock acts take the stage to kick off the weekend. Tickets and info

🏃 Regina Trail Running Film Festival | The Artesian on 13th | 2627 13th Avenue | Doors 7:00 PM, show 7:30 PM | $25 Stories of adventure, endurance, and the great outdoors on the big screen at one of Regina's most welcoming live event spaces. All ages welcome, wheelchair accessible. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and armchair adventurers alike. Tickets

🎭 Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer | Globe Theatre | 1801 Scarth Street | 7:30 PM | Paid admission Heading into the long weekend, a Friday night show downtown is hard to beat. Grab dinner on Scarth Street and make a proper evening of it. Tickets

🎵 Delhi 2 Dublin | Darke Hall | 2341 College Avenue | 7:30 PM | $30 to $50 Part of the Darke Hall Presents Series. Delhi 2 Dublin pioneered a global bass sound they call Subcontinental Pop, blending Bhangra, electronic, hip-hop, reggae, and Celtic influences into one of the most electrifying live shows you will find anywhere. Returning after a six-year hiatus as they approach their 20th anniversary, this is a genuinely special night at one of Regina's most beautiful venues. Book tickets

🔬 Saskatchewan Science Centre | 2903 Powerhouse Drive | Regular hours | Paid More than 185 hands-on exhibits and the Kramer IMAX Theatre. Open daily. Visit info

🚔 RCMP Heritage Centre | 5907 Dewdney Avenue | Regular hours | Paid Interactive exhibits, virtual and augmented reality, and more than a century of Canadian history. Plan your visit

SATURDAY, MAY 2

🌿 Regina Farmers' Market: Return to Downtown! | Pat Fiacco Plaza | 2190 12th Avenue | 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Free admission Opening day of the 2026 outdoor season at the market's downtown home. Local produce, fresh-baked goods, honey, preserves, artisan goods, and the kind of Saturday morning energy you can only find at a farmers' market. Market info

🦁 Wildlife Festival — Day 2 | Bunge International Trade Centre | REAL District | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | General admission $17.95 + tax | VIP $195 + tax Exotic animals, education, and family fun on day two of the weekend Wildlife Festival. A great follow-up to the Farmers' Market. Details

🎨 Brushworks Art Guild Spring Art Show and Sale — Last Day | Art Gallery of Regina | 2420 Elphinstone Street | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Free admission, free parking All original works from Regina-area artists, no prints. A low-key and rewarding Saturday afternoon stop. Info

💼 National Franchise Show | Bunge International Trade Centre | REAL District | 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Free admission Saskatchewan's largest franchise show brings proven businesses and new opportunities under one roof. Includes free seminars on legal advice, financing, and government assistance. Worth a look if entrepreneurship is on your radar. Runs Saturday and Sunday. Details

🏒 Oskana Cup — Aboriginal Youth Hockey Championships | Co-operators Centre | 1700 Elphinstone Street | Check schedule for game times | Paid admission The Oskana Cup brings Indigenous youth hockey talent to the Co-operators Centre for a full weekend of competition. A meaningful community event worth checking out. Check ahead for the game schedule. Details

😂 Pigskins and Punchlines Comedy Night | Brandt Centre | 1700 Elphinstone Street | 7:00 PM | Paid admission The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation hosts an evening of stand-up comedy and community spirit in support of its charitable programs. Tickets and info

🎵 Amici Singers: Mixed Tape | Darke Hall | 2341 College Avenue | 2:30 PM matinee and 7:00 PM evening | Adults $25, youth 13-18 $5, children 12 and under free The Amici Singers and their band bring a rock and pop choral concert to the stage with hits from the 70s and 80s. Led by Artistic Director Corinne Groff and featuring rock journalists Jim Tenford and Ross MacNab. It is sure to have you dancing in your seats. Two showtimes available. Book tickets

🎸 Ethan Miller Live | The Exchange | 2431 8th Avenue | 8:00 PM | Paid admission Singer-songwriter Ethan Miller plays The Exchange Saturday night. Details

🎶 Royal Wood and Fortunate Ones | Casino Regina Show Lounge | 1880 Saskatchewan Drive | 8:00 PM | Paid admission Two of Canada's finest singer-songwriters share the stage for a warm, beautifully crafted evening. Royal Wood has amassed over 30 million streams worldwide, and Fortunate Ones bring their beloved Newfoundland-rooted folk sound to the Show Lounge. A perfect Saturday night out.

SUNDAY, MAY 3

🦁 Wildlife Festival — Final Day | Bunge International Trade Centre | REAL District | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | General admission $17.95 + tax | VIP $195 + tax Last chance to meet the exotic rescued animals from across Western Canada. If you missed the first two days, today is your opportunity. Details

💼 National Franchise Show — Final Day | Bunge International Trade Centre | REAL District | 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Free admission Last day to explore franchise opportunities and attend free seminars on financing, legal advice, and more. Details

🏒 Oskana Cup — Final Day | Co-operators Centre | 1700 Elphinstone Street | Check schedule for game times | Paid admission Final day of the Aboriginal Youth Hockey Championships. Check ahead for the day's game schedule. Details

☕ Afternoon Tea at Hotel Saskatchewan | 2125 Victoria Avenue | Sittings available | Paid Seasonal sandwiches, handcrafted pastries, and premium tea in one of Regina's most iconic rooms.

🎸 Thousand Knives Live | The Exchange | 2431 8th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Paid admission Close out the long weekend with live music at one of the city's best small stages. Details

🎼 Regina Music Festival Final Competition | Darke Hall | 2341 College Avenue | 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM | Free admission The Regina Music Festival showcases its top young performers in two final competition events. The 1:00 PM session features the MLT Aikins Intermediate Competition across piano, strings, brass and winds, voice, and musical theatre. The 7:00 PM session presents the Regina Central Lions Club Senior Competition. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon or evening celebrating the next generation of Regina musicians. More info

It is the first long weekend of May. The sun is out, the market is back downtown, and the fairways are open. How are you spending it?

🛒 First to the Farmers' Market Saturday morning

⛳ On the course for the first round of 2026

🦁 Taking the kids to the Wildlife Festival

🛋️ Grateful for the weekend and doing nothing at all

Hit reply to let us know, or find us on Facebook and Instagram @QueenCityDigest

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. It is a great weekend to be in Regina. Get outside, support local, and enjoy every bit of this hard-earned spring.

Next edition: Monday, May 4.

-The QCD Team