Regina's friendly local roundup | Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Happy Wednesday, Regina! 👋

Well, that was a wild night. A fast-moving severe storm rolled through Tuesday evening, dropping hail and heavy rain across the city in a hurry, and a lot of us woke up to a yard full of leaves and a few puddles to navigate. The good news is the worst has passed, the sun is set to return, and there's a great week ahead, with the pools now open, festival season underway, and a Grey Cup banner about to go up at Mosaic.

Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

The wait is nearly over. The Saskatchewan Roughriders held their first official practice of the 2026 season on Tuesday, and head coach Corey Mace set the tone early, telling reporters this is a new team that still has to prove itself. The Green and White open their title defence Saturday, June 13 at Mosaic Stadium against the B.C. Lions.

This one is shaping up to be a celebration as much as a game. The 2025 Grey Cup banner will be raised to its permanent home, with a Canadian Armed Forces flyover and a chance for fans to see the cup up close. New this year is a legal pre-game tailgate, with the Coors Light Tailgate Party starting five hours before kickoff and the family-friendly Riderland Park opening three hours prior. Kickoff is 5:00 PM.

Mark your calendars for the long weekend at the end of summer. The Regina Exhibition Association Limited unveiled the full Original 16 grandstand lineup for the 2026 Queen City Ex on Tuesday, and it leans into a fun mix of past and present hitmakers across five nights.

The slate opens July 29 with country artists Billy Dean and Collin Raye, followed by rockers Helix and Quiet Riot on July 30, and Down With Webster on July 31. The weekend brings the headliners: country star Dallas Smith on August 1 and nine-time Juno winners the Arkells closing things out on August 2. Tickets are on sale now, and the fair itself runs through that stretch with the midway, food, and grandstand shows all in one place.

It was an emotional Tuesday at École Wilfrid Walker Community School, where ground broke on a new fully accessible playground. At the centre of the announcement was seven-year-old Blake Turnbull, who attends the school and has spina bifida. Asked what she was looking forward to, she kept it simple: she'll finally get to play on it, pop wheelies in her wheelchair, and share the space with her classmates.

Projects like this one matter well beyond a single schoolyard. An accessible playground means kids of all abilities get to play side by side, and that's the kind of small, concrete change that makes a neighbourhood better. It's a lovely story to see come together here at home.

Some good news for nature lovers a short drive from the city. A 500-acre expansion is coming to the conservation land around Buffalo Pound Lake, thanks to a partnership between Nature Conservancy of Canada, the provincial government, and K+S Potash. The added acreage protects native prairie and wildlife habitat in one of the region's most-loved getaway spots.

Buffalo Pound is a summer staple for a lot of us, whether it's the lake, the trails, or the bison paddock nearby. Protecting more of it now means it stays that way for the families who'll be packing up coolers and heading out there for years to come.

It wouldn't be summer without it. The City of Regina's outdoor pools are back for the season, with Wascana Pool opening first on June 9 and Buffalo Meadows, Maple Leaf, Massey, and Regent following tomorrow on June 11. All outdoor pools are running extended hours this year, and a full slate of programs is back, including Family Swim, the Toonie Teen Swim for ages 13 to 18, adapted leisure swims, and lessons for all ages.

A nice reminder for families watching the budget: admission to Maple Leaf and Buffalo Meadows is always free. Drop-in rates at the other pools run $7.50 for adults, with lower rates for seniors, teens, and kids. If the pools are busy, the city's spray pads are open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM all summer long.

June 10 - 12

It's Pride week and the front edge of festival season, so there's plenty to choose from. A reminder that the Regina Public Library's Film Theatre at Central Library (2311 12th Avenue) is screening films all three days with free admission.

🎭 The Birds and the Bees (Regina Little Theatre) — Regina Performing Arts Centre, 1077 Angus Street | Evening | Adult $30, Senior/Student/Youth $26 Regina Little Theatre closes its centennial season with Mark Crawford's warm, funny Canadian comedy about a beekeeper, her daughter, and a little chaos down on the farm. Runs June 10 to 13. Please note: recommended for ages 16+. Confirm showtime and grab tickets at reginapac.com or call 306-779-2277.

🎬 Sirât (Film Theatre) — RPL Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Free A 2026 film from Spain by director Oliver Laxe. Free admission, rated 14A. Details

📖 Book Launch: 'Sublime: Poems for Vanishing Ice' — George Bothwell Branch, RPL | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Free Three Regina poets share work reflecting on the beauty and fragility of ice, with a special appearance by RPL's Writer in Residence. Register

🏊 Outdoor Pools Open — Various locations | Check schedules | Maple Leaf & Buffalo Meadows free; others from $7.50 Wascana Pool is open, with four more pools opening Thursday. Pool info

🛒 Regina Farmers' Market — Victoria Park / City Square | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free admission Saskatchewan-made, baked, and grown goods downtown. The market runs Wednesdays and Saturdays through the summer. Market info

🎨 Love Medicine: Opening Reception — MacKenzie Art Gallery, 3475 Albert Street | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free A major new exhibition curated by Dr. Michelle McGeough, bringing together 22 Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ artists. The opening features a performance by Two-Spirit Dene drag artist Chelazon Leroux. A perfect Pride-week outing. Details

🎷 JazzFest Regina Opening Fundraiser: Frogsback & Soul Deep — Conexus Arts Centre, 200A Lakeshore Drive | Evening JazzFest Regina kicks off its 2026 run (June 11 to 24) with a fundraiser concert. Check time and tickets at conexusartscentre.ca.

🎬 The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (Film Theatre) — RPL Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Free A 2026 Australian feature, rated PG. Free admission. Details

🧘 Meditation Yoga — Central Library | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Free A midday reset with guided meditation. Drop in. Details

💃 Martin School of Dance: A Celebration of Dance & Baton — Conexus Arts Centre, 200A Lakeshore Drive | 7:00 PM A celebration of dance and baton, running Friday and Saturday evening. Details

🎬 Paris is Burning (Film Theatre) — RPL Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Free A Pride-week screening of Jennie Livingston's landmark 1990 documentary, rated 14A. Free admission. Details

🖼️ Kssááhkom Áássksinima'tstohki: The Land is our Teacher — Dunlop Art Gallery, Central Library | Gallery hours | Free Guest-curated by Star Crop Eared Wolf, on view through June 17.

⚾ Regina Red Sox Baseball — Currie Field Summer collegiate baseball is back. Check the schedule for this week's home dates.

🚣 Wascana Centre Canoe & Kayak Rentals — Wascana Marina Get out on the lake on a warm evening. Rentals available daily, weather permitting.

The Riders open at home Saturday. How are you taking it in?

Hit reply and let us know :)

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. It's a big week for the city, with summer settling in and Rider Nation ready to celebrate. Get outside, soak up the long evenings, and we'll see you Friday.

Next edition: Friday, June 12.

-QCD