Park projects not slippery slope into commercialization, Regina mayor says
Conexus, Brandt proposals only ones for Wascana Centre, Michael Fougere says
Two big commercial projects are in the works for Wascana Centre, but that doesn't mean the park is being commercialized, Regina's mayor says.
Earlier this week, Regina City Council agreed to donate 1.1 hectares of park land that will be used for a Conexus credit union office building.
As part of the deal, Conexus will donate $8.25 million to the University of Regina for upgrades to its College Avenue campus.
The company will also help finance renovations to Darke Hall, which is also on the edge of the park south of College Avenue.
The second project in the hopper is a Brandt Industries/CNIB building that will go on land in the park south of College and west of Broad Street.
Critics have expressed concerns that those projects could be the thin edge of the wedge for more businesses.
However, those are the only two commercial projects under consideration, Mayor Michael Fougere said Thursday.
"There is not a plan to commercialize the park. I want to state that absolutely, categorically," Fougere said in an interview with Morning Edition host Sheila Coles.
Fougere was asked by Coles whether, hypothetically, Walmart could tempt him with a $50 million deal.
He insisted that would be a total non-starter.
"No, this would not happen. This is not what the master plan for Wascana Centre Authority has in mind at all," Fougere said.
"No one has ever talked about, even contemplated, a Walmart. That just isn't on the table, whatsoever."