Regina's friendly local roundup | Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Happy Wednesday, Regina! 👋

No fooling: it is a genuinely good morning in the Queen City. The snow has cleared, temperatures are nudging toward 1°C this afternoon, and there is a lot going on today. Playoff hockey is at the Brandt Centre tonight. Les Misérables opens at the Regina Performing Arts Centre. And a bunch of Regina board game enthusiasts just quietly raised a six-figure donation for their neighbours in need.

Spring is making its case. Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

🎲 Regina board gamers raise $106,000 for Carmichael Outreach

🏒 Playoff hockey is home: Pats vs. Medicine Hat Tigers, Game 4, tonight

🥫 Regina Food Bank faces a 259% demand surge, and isn't backing down

🏈 Your 2026 Grey Cup champs are getting ready: Riders training camp is set

🎭 Les Misérables opens tonight at the Regina Performing Arts Centre

🪨 Polish Cultural Club launches monument project to honour war veterans

🅿️ Parking in Regina just got a lot more convenient

📅 Your full events guide for April 1, 2, and 3

🎲 COMMUNITY

Regina Board Gamers Just Raised $106,000 for Carmichael Outreach

The annual Play with Your Food fundraising campaign wrapped up Saturday with a 24-hour board game marathon at the University of Regina, and the numbers are remarkable. Thirty-three teams, about 150 participants, organized events throughout the year, from tea tastings to birdwatching outings to themed game nights, funneling money to Carmichael Outreach month by month rather than in a lump sum at the end. The final total came in at more than $106,000, comfortably clearing the $75,000 goal and setting a campaign record.

Carmichael Outreach serves roughly 3,500 meals a month, and the organization's director of development notes that $20 covers seven of those meals. You do the math on $106,000. Campaign chair Chelsea Steenbock says the secret to the campaign's growth is straightforward: board games pull people away from their screens and into a room together, and that connection is what builds a community worth fundraising for. The next campaign launches June 1. If your workplace, friend group, or neighbourhood association needs a feel-good project for next year, this is the one.

🏒 SPORTS

Playoff Hockey Is Home: The Pats and the Tigers Meet in Game 4 at the Brandt Centre Tonight

The Regina Pats walked into Medicine Hat as the seventh seed facing the defending WHL champions, got blitzed 6-2 in Game 1, and then came right back with a sharp, disciplined 4-2 win in Game 2 to even the series. The Pats tightened their defensive structure considerably in that second game, holding a Medicine Hat squad that had outscored them 26-7 in the regular season to just two goals. The series came home to the Brandt Centre for Games 3 and 4, and the Queen City crowd has been waiting for this.

Game 4 goes at 7:00 PM at the Brandt Centre. For a group that captain Ephram McNutt describes as motivated, young, and learning fast what playoff hockey demands, home ice matters. Veteran forward Caden Brown leads the squad with 61 points in 64 games, and draft-eligible Zachary Lansard has been one of the more compelling storylines of the series. If you needed an excuse to get out of the house on a Wednesday night and make some noise, this is it.

🥫 COMMUNITY

Regina Food Bank Faces a 259% Demand Surge and Is Not Cutting Back

While the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank announced this week it would begin limiting household visits to once a month and reduce the amount of food distributed, the Regina Food Bank is taking a different path. Usage at the Regina Food Bank has climbed 259% over the past six years, but interim CEO Evelyn Cerda says the organization has no plans to restrict access for clients. The strategy has been to deepen community partnerships, diversify food sourcing, and build operational flexibility instead of rationing.

The contrast between the two situations reflects a broader pressure that food banks across the country are navigating as demand surges. The Regina Food Bank serves students, families, seniors, and anyone facing food insecurity in the city, and its commitment to keeping the doors fully open says something real about what this community has chosen to prioritize. If you are in a position to donate, they accept food and financial contributions year-round at reginafoodbank.ca.

🏈 RIDERS

Your Grey Cup Champs Are Getting Ready: Riders Training Camp Set for Saskatoon, May 10

It has been a busy off-season for the reigning Grey Cup champions. General Manager Jeremy O'Day confirmed this week that the Roughriders will open 2026 Rookie Camp on May 6 in Saskatoon, with the first main camp workout May 10. The roster is taking shape around a core that includes returning starter Trevor Harris, newly signed running back Darrell Henderson Jr. (54 NFL games, Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams), and an extended deal for receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker. Coach Corey Mace, who picked up the CFL Coach of the Year award last week, has a squad built to defend.

The Roughriders also claimed the inaugural Ted Goveia Football Operations staff award, adding organizational hardware to go with the Grey Cup. The 2026 regular season schedule features 10 home games at Mosaic Stadium, and $20 tickets in select seating areas will be available through a community partnership announced earlier this year. Training camp details and the preseason schedule are expected in the weeks ahead.

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

Les Misérables Opens Tonight in Regina, and This One Is Worth Your Wednesday

Regina Little Theatre opens its production of Les Misérables tonight at the Regina Performing Arts Centre, with performances running Wednesday through Saturday. This is a theatrical retelling of Victor Hugo's classic, not a musical production, which means the story does the heavy lifting, and Regina Little Theatre has earned its reputation as a company that delivers. Grab dinner downtown beforehand and make a proper evening of it.

The show runs at 1077 Angus Street. It is a fantastic option for a first real night out of spring, and one of the stronger community theatre productions on the calendar this year.

Details at reginapac.com.

🪨 COMMUNITY

The Polish Cultural Club Is Building a Monument to the Veterans Who Helped Build Regina

The Polish Cultural Club of Regina has launched active fundraising for a new community monument honouring Polish war veterans displaced during the First and Second World Wars, who settled here and contributed to building the city we live in today. The project has a $17,000 goal to cover fabrication and installation, and the club is now reaching out to the broader Regina community for support.

It is the kind of project that quietly does important work: making sure the stories of people who arrived with very little and gave a great deal are not forgotten. If you have Polish roots, an interest in local history, or just believe a city should honour the people who helped build it, this one is worth your attention. Keep an eye on the Polish Cultural Club of Regina for donation details and updates as the project moves forward.

Polish Cultural Club of Regina

🅿️ CITY UPDATE

Parking in Regina Just Got a Lot More Convenient, Starting Today

The City of Regina's new modernized parking system went live on March 1, with a shift to digital-first payments through the PayByPhone app. April 1 brings new zones, rates, fines, and vouchers. You can pay from your phone, extend your time remotely, and skip the scramble back to the meter. The app is free to download and works across the city's downtown parking zones.

If you are a regular downtown visitor, this is a genuinely useful upgrade. Search PayByPhone in your app store, set up your account before your next trip in, and you will wonder why it took this long for the city to modernize. Say goodbye to needing pockets full of change to park!

April 1, 2, and 3, 2026

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

🏒 Regina Pats vs. Medicine Hat Tigers: WHL Playoffs Game 4 | Brandt Centre 7:00 PM | 1700 Elphinstone St | Paid admission Playoff hockey in the Queen City. Bring the noise. Tickets and info

🎭 Les Misérables | Regina Performing Arts Centre Opens tonight, runs through Saturday, April 4 | 1077 Angus St | Paid admission Regina Little Theatre's theatrical retelling of Victor Hugo's classic. A great date night or solo outing. Tickets and details

🎶 Regina Symphony Orchestra: Free Library Concert Series | RPL/Dunlop Gallery, Sherwood Branch 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM | 6121 Rochdale Blvd | Free, drop-in The RSO Chamber Players bring the fourth free library concert of the season. All ages welcome. Details

💃 Summit Dance Challenge | Conexus Arts Centre 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (continues through Saturday, April 4) | 200 Lakeshore Dr | Paid admission A full day of competitive dance with on-site concessions available. Tickets and details

🎬 Lost Wolves of Yellowstone | Kramer IMAX Theatre 1:00 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission A daytime IMAX documentary about the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction program. Showtimes and tickets

🎬 Project Hail Mary: The IMAX Experience | Kramer IMAX Theatre 2:20 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission Showtimes and tickets

🎬 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: The IMAX Experience | Kramer IMAX Theatre 7:00 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission Opening night. A fun evening IMAX option for families and Mario fans. Showtimes and tickets

🎬 RPL Film Theatre | That They May Face The Rising Sun 7:00 PM | Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | Paid admission New titles open each Wednesday at Regina's best independent cinema. Check the current schedule online. Film schedule

🎨 MacKenzie Art Gallery | Regular Hours 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM | 3475 Albert St | Youth 17 and under are FREE admission | Current exhibitions include Death Boat and Other Stories (through May 2, 2027) and the Governor General Awards Exhibition (through May 3, 2026). Plan your visit

🏛️ Art Realities Exhibit | Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan Open during regular hours | 2440 Broad St | Free Running February 4 to July 31, 2026. Details

📚 Casey Koyczan Exhibit | RPL/Dunlop Gallery, Sherwood Branch Open during regular hours | 6121 Rochdale Blvd | Free Running February 28 to May 27, 2026. Details

🔬 Saskatchewan Science Centre | Open Daily Spring hours in effect, seven days a week. More than 185 hands-on exhibits. Visit info

🚔 RCMP Heritage Centre | Regular Hours 5907 Dewdney Avenue | Interactive exhibits, virtual and augmented reality, and more than a century of RCMP history. Visit info

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

🎭 Les Misérables | Regina Performing Arts Centre Second night of the run | 1077 Angus St | Paid admission Tickets and details

💃 Summit Dance Challenge | Conexus Arts Centre 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 200 Lakeshore Dr | Paid admission Day two of the multi-day competition continues. Tickets and details

🏒 Telus Cup Western Regionals | Co-operators Centre 4:30 PM: Manitoba vs. Moose Jaw Warriors | 7:40 PM: Thunder Bay Kings vs. Regina Pat Canadians 1700 Elphinstone St | Paid admission Top midget hockey from across western Canada, right here at the REAL District. Tickets and details

⚽ WCP Cup Youth Soccer Tournament | AffinityPlex All day | 1700 Elphinstone St | Details TBD More than 100 teams and roughly 2,000 athletes are expected for this multi-day youth soccer tournament running through Sunday. Details

🏐 Sask Volleyball: Sask Cup #3 | Bunge International Trade Centre All day | 1700 Elphinstone St | Details TBD Tournament play runs April 2 to 4, with 13U women, 14U men, 16U men, and 17U women divisions. Details

🔮 Galaxy Psychic & Crystal Fair | Queensbury Convention Centre 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM | 1700 Elphinstone St | Paid admission This four-day fair opens Thursday and runs through Sunday. Details

🥁 Intro to Pow Wow | University of Regina 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Main Gym, Kinesiology Building | Free A free, open public event welcoming everyone to learn about pow wow traditions and culture. Details

📖 Book Talk: On Settler Colonialism in Canada | University of Regina 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (speakers at 12:00 PM) | Dr. John Archer Library, Regina and Wascana Rooms | Free Details

💻 Data Centres: From Boom to Backlash | University of Regina 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM | La Cité Auditorium (CT 215) | Free A campus talk on the social and economic implications of the data centre boom. Details

🎶 Regina Symphony Orchestra: Free Library Concert Series | RPL/Dunlop Gallery, Sherwood Branch 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM | 6121 Rochdale Blvd | Free, drop-in A second free RSO chamber performance this week. Don't miss it. Details

🎬 Train Time | Kramer IMAX Theatre 10:00 AM and 2:15 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission A giant-screen rail journey across North America. Showtimes and tickets

🎬 Lost Wolves of Yellowstone | Kramer IMAX Theatre 1:00 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission Showtimes and tickets

🎬 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: The IMAX Experience | Kramer IMAX Theatre 4:15 PM and 6:40 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission Showtimes and tickets

🎬 Project Hail Mary: The IMAX Experience | Kramer IMAX Theatre 9:05 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission Showtimes and tickets

🎨 MacKenzie Art Gallery | Regular Hours 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM | 3475 Albert St | Youth 17 and under are FREE Plan your visit

🚔 RCMP Heritage Centre | Regular Hours Visit info

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

🎭 Les Misérables | Regina Performing Arts Centre Third night of the April 1 to 4 run | 1077 Angus St | Paid admission Tickets and details

💃 Summit Dance Challenge | Conexus Arts Centre 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 200 Lakeshore Dr | Paid admission Friday keeps the competition rolling. Tickets and details

🏒 Telus Cup Western Regionals | Co-operators Centre 4:30 PM: Manitoba vs. Thunder Bay Kings | 7:30 PM: Moose Jaw Warriors vs. Regina Pat Canadians 1700 Elphinstone St | Paid admission Tickets and details

⚽ WCP Cup Youth Soccer Tournament | AffinityPlex All day (continues through Sunday) | 1700 Elphinstone St | Details TBD Details

🏐 Sask Volleyball: Sask Cup #3 | Bunge International Trade Centre All day | 1700 Elphinstone St | Details TBD Tournament play continues Friday. Details

🔮 Galaxy Psychic & Crystal Fair | Queensbury Convention Centre 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM | 1700 Elphinstone St | Paid admission Details

🦕 Scotty's Annual Dino Egg Hunt | Royal Saskatchewan Museum 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM | 2445 Albert St | Included with admission The annual egg hunt kicks off today, with Munchie the T. rex mascot making a special appearance from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on opening day. Details

🐑 Easter Weekend Petting Zoo & Bunny Photos | Northgate Mall 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Centre Court, 489 Albert St N | Free Fenek Farms brings sheep, goats, alpacas, a bunny, a rooster, and more to Northgate's Centre Court for a free, hands-on petting zoo. Free Easter Bunny photos are also available Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in front of Northern Reflections. The petting zoo returns Saturday, April 4 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM as well. A wonderful family outing heading into the long weekend.

🎬 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: The IMAX Experience | Kramer IMAX Theatre 4:15 PM, 6:40 PM, and 9:05 PM | 2903 Powerhouse Dr | Paid admission The busiest Mario day of the three. Showtimes and tickets

🎨 MacKenzie Art Gallery | Regular Hours 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM | 3475 Albert St | Youth 17 and under are Free admission Plan your visit

🏛️ Art Realities Exhibit | Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan Open during regular hours | 2440 Broad St | Free Details

📚 Casey Koyczan Exhibit | RPL/Dunlop Gallery, Sherwood Branch Open during regular hours | 6121 Rochdale Blvd | Free Details

🚔 RCMP Heritage Centre | Regular Hours Visit info

It is April Fools Day, and the Pats are in the playoffs, Les Mis is opening, and the RSO is playing a free concert. What is your Wednesday night plan?

🏒 Brandt Centre for Game 4 - Go Pats

🎭 Les Misérables at the RPAC - culture night

🎶 Free RSO concert at Sherwood Village - yes please

📺 Home on the couch - catching up on everything

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

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. The snow is behind us for now, playoff hockey is back home, and it genuinely feels like the city is waking up. Get out there tonight if you can.

Next edition: Friday, April 3.

-The QCD Team