FAQs

North Central is an inner-city neighbourhood located to the northwest of Downtown, immediately west of the Warehouse District. Its boundaries are Albert Street to the east, Lewvan Drive to the west and railways to the north and south. The area contains many schools, parks, the Lawson Aquatic Centre and Fieldhouse, Real District and Mosaic Stadium, the Pasqua Hospital and the recently opened Regina Urgent Care Centre. In the heart of North Central is the mâmawêyatitân centre, a community facility opened in 2017 that contains Scott Collegiate high school, a branch of the Regina Public Library, recreational space, community policing centre, the REACH program (a neighbourhood food store) and other amenities.

It is long overdue. The neighbourhood needs a plan that reflects the community’s short and long-term goals, which are to be determined by collaboration with the community through engagement. The previous Neighbourhood Plan (1980) was repealed by City Council in 2024 because it was out of date and didn’t align with City-wide policy.

Recognizing past harms and years of neglect, the City views this work as steps toward reconciliation that will help move towards a more equitable and prosperous future for the neighbourhood and its residents.

Due to North Central’s history, demographics and socioeconomic challenges, the City believes this process needs to be led by a qualified Indigenous, Métis, or Inuit professional planning or architectural consulting firm. After a competitive procurement process, the City selected a team led by Smoke Architecture Inc. out of Hamilton, Ont. The firm is supported by SOLO Architecture in Christopher Lake, Sask., SpruceLab Inc in Toronto, Ont. and Ahne Studio in Regina.

Conducting a meaningful and comprehensive engagement process will be critical for the success of this project. The focus of the process will be to engage North Central residents, businesses, community organizations, City officials and others who provide services and support to the neighbourhood.

The North Central Neighbourhood Revitalization Plan aligns with kâ-nâsihcikêwin, the City of Regina’s Indigenous Framework. Guided by Treaty Principles, the Framework includes seven commitments that all relate to this project: Good Relations, Cultural Competency, Recognition & Visibility, Governance, Land Reconciliation, Health & Wellbeing and Economic Reconciliation. The creation and implementation of this plan also aligns with City direction to address the priorities of the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan. Lastly, the revitalization of North Central aligns with the vision and community priorities of the Official Community Plan, Design Regina, which targets 30 per cent of population growth in established neighbourhoods.

The consultants are currently reviewing relevant background information and data. The plan is to begin the community engagement phase in March 2026, which will inform the creation of the revitalization plan that is expected to be finalized and approved by the end of 2026.

The plan will provide recommendations for regulatory and policy changes, arts and culture, ideas for economic development, sustainability and resiliency, improvements to the public realm (streets, sidewalks, parks, etc.), accessibility and key corridors such as 5th Avenue, Dewdney Avenue and Elphinstone Street. The intent is for the plan to include actions that can be implemented in the short term. It is noted that a long-term planning horizon is required, given the extent of the needs and physical size of the neighbourhood.

Funding in the amount of $250,000 has been allocated for this work through the 2025 budget from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). The contract value is $212,457.36 (including taxes) with a contingency of $37,542.64.

The procurement solicitation of the RFP on SaskTenders described a requirement of a qualified Métis, Indigenous or Inuit professional planning or architectural firm to facilitate in the neighbourhood planning process. While Smoke Architecture Inc. is not located in Saskatchewan, it is Anishinaabeg owned and operated. The company based in Hamilton, Ont. focuses focus on First Nation and Indigenous projects. On this project, Smoke is supported by a number of other consultants. SOLO Architecture in Christopher Lake, Sask. is owned by Jason Surkan, a member of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. SpruceLab Inc has offices in Edmonton, Ab. and Toronto, Ont. and is Indigenous and women-owned and operated. Finally, Ahne Studio in Regina is owned by Jennifer Fix, who specializes in participatory design, climate action and place-making and keeping. Together, these teams will seek feedback from the community to help come up with a list of action items that can build on the good work already happening in North Central.

The project team is planning to engage provincial politicians and ministries related to the project. The project is being funded by the federal government. 

This is a long-term project and commitment to the North Central neighbourhood that has the support of City Council, Administration and community leaders. The plan will provide recommendations for regulatory and policy changes, arts and culture, ideas for economic development, sustainability and resiliency, as well as improvements to the public realm (streets, sidewalks, parks), accessibility and key corridors such as 5th Avenue, Dewdney Avenue and Elphinstone Street.

While the City views this project as an act of reconciliation, it recognizes for it to be accepted, the City will need to move forward with good intentions and build authentic and genuine relationships with the community. This plan is an important step to righting past wrongs, but a long-term commitment to the neighbourhood and partnership with the community is needed.

There is a public engagement session at mâmawêyatitân centre (3355 6th Avenue) the evening of March 24 that all are welcome to attend. Residents are also encouraged to submit questions or feedback through BeHeard.Regina.ca or by email at NorthCentralPlan@Regina.ca. 

The implementation of identified actions alone will not determine project success. For the plan to be successful, investment and action needs to result in demonstrated positive change. Therefore, it will be critical to identify measurable performance indicators to monitor change in the neighbourhood in the years and decades following this project’s completion. If it is determined in the years ahead that the plan’s implementation is not resulting in the desired outcomes, then the City will need to adapt its approach.