Wascana Centre Authority’s Board of Directors has approved the non-conforming use for the development proposed by the University of Regina and Conexus Credit Union adjacent to College Avenue Campus.

 

Wascana Centre Authority officials will be meeting with the University and Conexus representatives in the coming weeks to discuss the next phase of approvals. This includes ensuring that the building design conforms to the expectations outlined in Wascana Centre’s Master Plan.

 

The approval is consistent with any development project proposed for Wascana Centre and is subject to certain conditions, including:

  • Adherence to WCA’s 2016 Master Plan for building design, landscape design, parking and construction; and
  • Completion of all WCA’s regulated design, architectural, engineering, and heritage processes and required approvals and payment of all applicable fees.

 

This decision enables the University and Conexus to move into the next phase of approvals around the design of the proposed new building between Darke Hall and Wascana Drive.

 

Also approved by WCA’s Board of Directors is the land transfer between the City of Regina and the University approved by City Council August 29, 2016. 

 

These decisions were made after extensive consultation on the proposed development. Highlights of the consultations include:

 

 

  • The land proposed for the Conexus Credit Union building was designated for future development in the Wascana Centre Master Plan released in May. The process of developing that master plan included three public meetings in 2015 and opportunities for input through an online survey.
  • In January, 2016, the University put out a news release announcing the open request for proposal process that ultimately resulted in the partnership with Conexus.
  • In June, the university held two open public sessions on the proposed partnership with Conexus. These sessions were advertised twice in the Leader-Post and publicized through a news conference to kick off the consultations. Email invitations to the two open forums went out to approximately 25,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the public. Videos of the open forums and other information about the project are available on the university’s website. As part of this process, the University also conducted a series of targeted meetings with business groups, heritage groups and many others. A consultation summary is available on the University’s website.
  • In August, the University/Conexus partnership was considered at two open meetings as part of related City Council processes, including City Council on August 29.