RDBID wants $307,538 to replace Christmas lights reminiscent of ‘East Germany’

Snow is melting, warm weather is nigh, flocks of geese are coming back from their journey south — which means it’s an apt time for Regina’s executive committee to discuss Christmas.

By the letter of the report, the aim is “to enhance and promote the downtown” with the money going towards decorations to compliment the existing warming chalet and the “four-season use” of the plaza. The RDBID is also requesting $55,000 for enhancements to the downtown in conjunction with the lights.

Comments from 2021, which admittedly lack some seasonal cheer and goodwill, on the Christmas display are included in the report before the committee: “Why does the downtown Christmas décor look like they are from the 1970s?”; “The wreaths are ugly, so ugly”;  and one comment particularly worthy of a lump of coal in the proverbial Christmas stocking said of the seasonal sights, “They remind me of decorations from East Germany, sad and pathetic.”

In total 197 new Christmas decorations will be purchased and installed during the holidays should this proposal be approved. The lights are expected to last a “minimum of 10 years,” according to the report before committee.

“RDBID estimates that year one investment will be $193,396.00 and is requesting the funding to be drawn down from the Downtown Deferral Revenue Account (DDRA),” reads the submission to the committee. Year two of the project is set to cost $114,142.

The first year, 2023, would see 124 decorations installed “along streets with the highest pedestrian traffic, including 11th Avenue, Hamilton Street, Scarth Street, Cornwall Street and Lorne Street,” while 2024 would see an additional 63 decorations purchased and “installed along Rose Street, Smith Street and 12th Avenue” with leftovers put in storage for future use.

“The balance of the DDRA as of March 3, 2023 was $551,620.10. Approval of the recommendations in the report will bring the DDRA balance to $189,082.10,” read the report. The total request from the RDBID is $362,538.

RDBID says it will match contributions by purchasing and installing year-round “Aurora tube lights for the F.W. Hill Mall.”

Also up during executive committee on Wednesday will be an interim use plan for the long-vacant railyard lands along Dewdney Avenue, known as the Yards, in the Warehouse District.

The Regina Warehouse District Business Improvement District (RWBID) is looking for $100,000 “for the interim planning and activation of the Yards site.”

The Yards, which were not designated specially as a location for any proposed catalyst committee projects is looking to create this plan in the interim as a way “to activate the Yards Neighbourhood site until such time as formal development occurs on the site,” according to the agenda before committee.

Mock ups of the swath of central Regina, which was once proposed to house the current Mosaic Stadium, show greenspace, walking paths and what appear to be gardens included in concept art for the site.