Shaun Semple, CEO of Brandt Group, announced a major renewal of Regina's REAL District to attract investment and create new jobs.
The proposal represents a significant shift in the management of the city's exhibition grounds. By transitioning a portion of the land to private ownership, the city aims to revitalize the area and generate employment opportunities for the community.
Brandt Group's bid involves the purchase of more than half of the exhibition grounds [1]. Semple said the renewal will add new venues to the district, positioning the area as a hub for growth and activity in Saskatchewan.
The proposal was the subject of extensive deliberation by local government officials. City council spent around six hours discussing the bid [2] during an executive committee meeting held on April 29, 2026 [3].
Semple said the bid is designed to stimulate the local economy through the introduction of private capital. The plan focuses on transforming the existing infrastructure into a more modern complex capable of hosting a wider array of events and businesses.
While the specific financial terms of the acquisition were not detailed in the public announcement, the scale of the bid suggests a long-term commitment to the urban landscape of Regina. The project aims to bridge the gap between public utility and private enterprise to ensure the district remains competitive and sustainable.
“Brandt Group's bid is to purchase more than half of Regina's exhibition grounds”
The proposal to sell a majority stake in the REAL District exhibition grounds to a private entity like Brandt Group signals a move toward public-private partnerships for urban redevelopment. If finalized, this shift could reduce the city's direct maintenance burden while accelerating the modernization of the district through private capital, though it may raise questions about long-term public access to previously city-owned land.
