Gardeners near U of R face eviction as redevelopment pondered

A Regina community garden of 40 years is facing eviction as the University of Regina considers commercial development. Wayne Mantyka reports.

Users of Regina’s largest community garden are facing eviction after 40 years on the University of Regina (U of R) campus, with the area set for possible commercial redevelopment due to financial pressures.

Dale Hjertas, the president of the South Zone Community Garden Board, has spent the past two decades growing vegetables at the community garden at the south end of the U of R campus.

He’s one of over 400 gardeners who have received notice that they may have to leave as early as late summer.

“The university’s been kind enough to allow us to use this land for the last 40 years at no cost so we’re grateful to them but its always been part of our agreement that if they ever needed the land, we would move,” he explained.

The U of R is now looking for ways to raise additional revenue and is in negotiations for a commercial and residential development on the large parcel of land.

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A written statement from the U of R said it is exploring the opportunity to develop its land holdings.

“This approach is part of a broader strategy to diversify revenue streams. It comes as the campus faces financial pressures from a 59% drop in foreign student enrollment. The gardeners understand the university’s situation,” the statement read.

Hjertas said he understands the situation and is now looking for a place to continue gardening.

“Forty years of gardening at no cost, having the land is quite a contribution so I’d be happier if we stayed on longer but what’s happening is happening,” he said.

It’s the second time the university has made land available for commercial development within Wasana Centre.

About a decade ago, it raised $8.25 million through the lease of College Avenue campus property for development of a Credit Union office building.

Any project proposal will require approval from the Provincial Capital Commission. Meanwhile, the gardeners are working with the province to secure other vacant property in the area.