Brandt purchase of REAL District clears first hurdle with executive committee approval

Shaun Semple's bid to purchase a large portion of the REAL District Campus will now be debated and voted on by city council. Donovan Maess reports.

Billionaire Shaun Semple’s bid to purchase large portions of Regina’s REAL District Campus has cleared a major hurdle, as the city’s executive committee has approved the plan.

The proposed $6.5 million deal will be debated and voted on by city council on May 6.

The approval was passed onto city council by a vote margin of 7-4 Wednesday evening.

Mayor Bachynski, and councillors Rashovich, Bezo, Burton, Turnbull, Tsiklis and Mancinelli voted in favour.

The day consisted of more than a dozen delegations voicing their thoughts on the Brandt proposal, with the vast majority being in favour of it.

Harvard Developments President and CEO Roseann Hill Blaisdell was the first delegate to voice her support, addressing the need for “immediate action” and describing Brandt as the lone organization currently capable of taking on the project.

Former Regina mayor Pat Fiacco also offered his endorsement of the proposed deal, pointing to the potential benefits and the need for a revamp ahead of Regina hosting the Grey Cup in 2027.

“There is a real spin-off to our community,” he said.

Patrick Book, a Regina resident and former city hall reporter and city employee, was the lone voice of concern in regards to the proposal.

“As one of the only delegations not offering an unequivocal endorsement, I feel like a bit of a hen in a fox house right now,” he noted.

Book was also concerned about the finer details of the deal between the City and Brandt, specifically in terms of property taxes and municipal revenue.

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Semple appeared before the committee alongside his two sons, outlining his company’s vision for a revitalized REAL District, noting the deal represents much more than just a transaction or a land deal.

“I believe we do have the ability to deliver on this deal, as far as facility upgrades, we build all around the world and all over the country. As far as sports and entertainment we look to the best in the world at it and who we can bring on,” Semple noted, adding that his relationships with organizations such as TAIT will hopefully allow for the city to become a destination venue for entertainers.

“We’re still going to have a small stadium, we are going to need the relationships to get the concerts here, we are going to need relationships to get them to come and play at Mosaic.”

Ward 8 Coun. Shannon Zachidniak posed an amendment to the proposal that involved a third-party review and consideration of questions from the public to council.

That amendment was voted down by a vote of 7-4.

Mayor Chad Bachynski offered his comments following the meeting, saying he voted in favour of the proposal because, “a private investment gets the REAL District to where we want it to be much quicker than the status quo.”

In terms of public trust in the proposal, Bachynski did admit there’s risk involved in any deal, but the city was sure to weigh the pros and cons.

“When I think about the events that are going on in the facilities at the REAL District, those events will go away if we can’t upkeep those buildings,” he explained.

“Allowing a private investor to step in allows those events to keep taking place.”

Our live coverage of the proceedings can be found below.

4:54 PM – Zachidniak proposes amendment

Ward 8 Coun. Shannon Zachidniak poses an amendment to the REAL – Brandt proposal. She proposes that city council tables the report to a meeting to be held no later than June 10, 2026.

The amendment would secure an independent third party to conduct a review of the public interest outcomes associated with the proposal.

The amendment would also require city council to collect questions submitted to members of the council from the public respecting the proposal.

Additionally, a supplemental report would be submitted later than June 10, 2026, that includes the compiled questions and responses received from the public by members of the council, and the results of the independent third-party review.

The amendment was voted down by a vote of 7 to 4.

Councillors Froh, Radons, Flores and Zachidniak were the four in favour of the amendment.

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

4:00 PM - City has ‘won the lottery’ with Brandt deal, Semple argues

Semple also implored the committee to avoid delaying its decision on moving forward with the proposal, saying it’s too good an opportunity to pass up.

“This is like winning the lottery. So, if you won the lottery would you be like, ‘Hold on don’t give me that money, I want to check it out first to see whether or not it’s any good,’” he said.

“This is the only ever deal that I have seen anywhere where a private citizen is trying to give you money and take over your bad assets. Normally it’s the other way around.”

Semple said the proposal came “out of desperation,” telling the committee he is tired of being the tenant in the Brandt Centre while being denied concession fees, sponsorships and naming rights.

“I don’t get all the other things that every other team in the league gets,” Semple said. “So this is going to allow me to put a completely different spin on how we market the venue and there’ll be benefits for guests that they don’t have today.”

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

3:06 PM - Semple vows to create Regina’s own stampede, among other promises

Shaun Semple appeared before Regina’s executive committee Wednesday afternoon, outlining his vision for a REAL District under the umbrella of the Brandt group of companies.

“What’s in front of you is not just a transaction. It’s not just a land deal, and it’s not simply an operational transition,” Semple said in his opening remarks.

“This decision is about the future of the Brandt Centre and related buildings in the park and it’s about whether we’re prepared as a city, to move forward with confidence with investment and really with a clear vision to the future.”

Responding to a question from Ward 4 Coun. Mark Burton, Semple explained how he aims to deliver on his promises of making Regina a destination venue - highlighting his connections to James “Winky” Fairorth, the president and CEO of TAIT, a large supplier of touring equipment and venues.

“Regina gets skipped over. We’re still going to have a small stadium. We’re going to need relationships to get concerts here,” Semple said in his response.

“We’re going to need relationships to get them to come play in Mosaic. We’re not professing to be experts, but this is a relationship business, and we’ve started some of that.”

Semple admitted the difficulty of the endeavor, vowing to put the full force of his company behind the effort.

“This is a very tough business. Okay, this is a business that REAL has never – I went back in all the annual reports that I could find, they’ve never made money in it. It’s that tough," he said. “I don’t go into this with any false expectations, it’s going to be tough. We’re going to have to throw everything that Brandt has to really make a go of it.”

Semple also said that Brandt has big plans for the future of Canadian Western Agribition,

“We are one of the largest sponsors of the Calgary Stampede and we want to bring a stampede to Regina and help Agribition do that, that’s my goal, how do we make it bigger?

David Prisciak, CTV News Regina Senior Digital Journalist

2:24 PM – REAL board members speak to executive committee

Jaime Boldt, chair of the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) Board of Directors, spoke on behalf of the organization at the centre of Brandt’s proposal.

Boldt spoke about the board’s efforts in stewarding REAL following years of financial hardships and organizational issues.

“In a relatively short period of time, REAL has become more stable. Governance practices have strengthened, and there has been a renewed focus on financial discipline, transparency and operational performance,” she said.

Responding to a question from Mayor Chad Bachynski, Boldt outlined the importance of an asset like the REAL District and the need for growth and improvement.

“It’s the sport and entertainment district in our city. For the community, the soccer, ringette, volleyball, and the pickleball that’s going on there,” she said. “There are so many things going on. When we look at large infrastructure projects across the country, we look at having multi-use facilities, where you come for one thing, and you can do many things. So having a vibrant sports and entertainment district is really awesome for our city.”

Boldt said the REAL board is “excited” about the organization’s future.

“The foundation has been strengthened. Belief has been returned, and we are committed to stewarding this organization responsibly into whatever comes next,” she said. “We are excited about what REAL can be, and about seeing the potential realized in the years ahead.”

David Prisciak, CTV News Regina Senior Digital Journalist

1:33 PM – Citizen questions proposal

Former journalist and City of Regina employee Patrick Book was the first delegate to raise any questions or concerns about the proposal.

“I’m a simple taxpayer and I’ve a raised a few dozen questions about this proposal that I feel would help people like me achieve greater clarity,” he said.

“As one of the only delegations not offering an unequivocal endorsement, I feel like a bit of a hen in a fox house right now,” he added.

Book said that he by no means wants the REAL District to fail and fall into disrepair, but he is confused about the finer details of the proposal and feels that many other citizens in Regina feel the same way.

He is also concerned about the terms of the deal between the City and Brandt.

“Brandt won’t pay property taxes, and if they have to, they want the city to give that right back as a grant. They won’t pay to use Confederation Park. Brandt doesn’t want the city added surcharges or taxes on events they are hosting,” he said.

“Why can a company that has the resources to claim the largest public investment in the city’s history apparently only make that work if they don’t have to pay property taxes like everyone else?”

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

1:10 p.m. – Committee reconvenes with more support lobbied for proposal

After a lunch recess, Shantel Lipp, president of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association, voiced her support for the REAL-Brandt proposal.

“From our industry’s perspective, the opportunity here is real. Cities across Canada are competing for major events, conferences, trade shows and industry gatherings that drive hotel occupancy, restaurant activity and a broader economic impact,” she said.

“But to compete, you need facilities that are well managed, well invested and able to respond quickly to opportunities.”

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

12:02 PM – Former mayor Pat Fiacco weighs in on proposal

Pat Fiacco appeared as a delegate during the meeting to give his support for the proposal.

Referencing an earlier comment from Mike Tate regarding “time killing deals,” Ward 2 Coun. George Tsiklis asked the former mayor whether this was the case during his tenure in city hall.

“As the former mayor, it’s common for people to ask me what I think of this and that and I try not to give my opinion since I am no longer in your chair. But this one matters to the citizens of Regina,” Fiacco said in response.

“We have the Grey Cup coming up as Councillor Turnbull alluded to, and REAL is going to be the hub for that along with our downtown. We’re going to hear from the Regina Hotels Association who are all about heads on beds. There is a real spin-off to our community.”

Executive committee adjourned for lunch at 12:15 p.m.

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

11:50 AM – Regina District and Chamber of Commerce CEO answers committee question about popcorn

Regina District and Chamber of Commerce CEO Mike Tate, who is also in support of the proposal, was asked a business question pertaining to movie theatre popcorn.

The query came from Ward 5 Coun. Sarah Turnbull.

“A business like a movie theatre makes money off of the popcorn, not the movie, correct? So, you’re making money off the product you’re selling, not the business itself, so there is an incentive to have lots of community events, correct?” Turnbull asked.

Tate replied in the affirmative, adding that improvements are needed to attract more activity to the REAL District, improvements he believes Brandt will provide.

“We have an unbelievable stadium in Mosaic, and I believe we haven’t done the best job as a city to deliver on more events at Mosaic,” he explained.

“This proposal is rooted in a company that wants to deliver more events and more activity to our community, that’s really good for business.”

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

11:29 AM – WHL commissioner speaks in support of proposal

Western Hockey League Commissioner Dan Near travelled from Calgary to speak in support of the proposal.

“As I look ahead five to ten years, I’d argue that facilities are the league’s most important challenge and risk,” he said.

Near pointed to the story of Maddox Schultz, a local hockey phenom who played 34 games for the Regina Pats this past season.

The commissioner said good quality infrastructure, such as rinks, are crucial to attracting talent in the sport.

“The truth is, however that we’re that we’re just a few years away from the Schultz family making the decision whether to continue playing hockey in Regina or to move to the NCAA south of the border,” he noted.

“This is influenced by the environment, experience, and facilities.”

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

11:23 AM – Harvard Developments in favour of Brandt deal

Harvard Developments President and CEO Roseann Hill Blaisdell was the first delegate to speak in support of the REAL – Brandt Proposal.

“As Reginans, we need to recognize that we need to take immediate action before our REAL District disintegrates. Further repelling conventions, conferences, concerts, tournaments because of its condition and poor associated amenities,” she said in her prepared remarks.

Blaisdell went on to say that while the REAL District does have potential to be a real show piece for Regina, very few, if any, private sector developers or operators would have the capacity to take on the project in the campus’s current condition.

Blaisdell assured the committee that Harvard Developments is not willing to submit a bid.

“Too many opportunities are missed as a result of paralysis by analysis; too many clear solutions are overlooked in the face of bureaucracy. It’s time we stopped talking about revitalization and start acting on it,” she said.

“... In closing, I would strongly urge executive committee to approve and recommend the Brant proposal to city council.”

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist

11:15 AM - Brandt proposal overview

City administration begins to provide its overview of Brandt’s $6.5 million proposal to purchase much of the REAL District Campus.

Deputy City Manager Daren Anderson, among others, walk the committee through the deal which includes nine assets on the REAL Campus.

“The proposal provides an orderly transition that protects community events and prioritizes economic impact. Administration believes this is an exceptional opportunity for taxpayers, residents, businesses and city council,” Anderson said.

The deal, which took five months to reach, fulfills several priorities for taxpayers according to Anderson.

“It’s about playgrounds. It’s about tax relief. It’s about Arcola Avenue, libraries, north central revitalization, water infrastructure and community grants,” he added.

“It is about what we decide is best for taxpayer dollars.”

David Prisciak, CTV News Regina Senior Digital Journalist

9:15 AM - Meeting gets underway

A handful of delegations are scheduled to speak before Brandt’s REAL proposal is debated.

Topics include a special events grant allocation for the Mosaic Festival from Regina Multicultural Council, and annual submittals from the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, Regina’s Warehouse Business Improvement District, and Economic Development Regina.

Jacob Carr, CTV News Regina videojournalist