Regina city council is being asked to approve changes that could allow Brandt Properties Ltd. to continue operating and maintaining several major city facilities for up to 20 years. City documents released ahead of the Aug. 26 council meeting show the city is asking council to approve changes to a non-binding term sheet reached with Brandt back on April 9. The changes would remove a time-limited reference tied to the city’s proposed assignment of interim operation and maintenance responsibilities to Brandt for Mosaic Stadium, the Co-operators Centre, the AffinityPlex and Confederation Park. Instead, the city is proposing that those arrangements continue under the terms of existing agreements between the city and the Regina Exhibition Association Limited, or REAL. For Mosaic Stadium, the proposed arrangement would follow the existing Stadium Operating and Maintenance Agreement between the city and REAL, dated April 11, 2018. That agreement provides for an initial term of up to 10 years, along with two five-year renewal options at the city’s discretion. The proposal would also remove the existing mutual termination-for-convenience provision. For the Co-operators Centre, AffinityPlex and Confederation Park, the proposed arrangement would follow the city’s existing campus master lease with REAL dated Sept. 1, 2021. That agreement also provides for an initial term of up to 10 years, with two additional five-year renewal options at the city’s discretion. The city manager would retain existing delegated authority to negotiate other terms, provided they remain consistent with the structure and terms of the relevant agreements between the city and REAL. The proposal was considered behind closed doors by Regina’s Executive Committee on Aug. 19. The city documents say a second part of Executive Committee’s resolution does not require council approval. If approved, the changes would provide a longer-term framework for Brandt’s involvement in the operation and maintenance of the four facilities. The proposal is part of a broader arrangement between Brandt and the City of Regina. Greenlit by city council back in May, Brandt is the process of purchasing the Ag-Ex Building, Canada Centre Building, Commercial Cattle Barn, Queensbury Convention Centre, Stockman’s Building, the Brandt Centre, the Agribition Building, the land lease for the McDonald’s located at 1810 Exhibition Parkway and the parking lot west of Mosaic Stadium in a $6.5 million deal. The company is set to take full possession of those assets on Sept. 1. As part of the deal, the approximately 700 workers employed by REAL will be transfered to Brandt. Council is expected to consider the recommendation regarding Mosaic Stadium, the Co-operators Centre, AffinityPlex and Confederation Park at its Aug. 26 meeting. Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Mayor Chad Bachynski did not offer details regarding the new proposal, but did refer to Brandt’s ongoing purchase of REAL properties. “I know that they’re still working towards [the] closing date of Sept. 1. I know that there’s been lots of due diligence – I’m sure anyone who’s driven past can see the work that’s happening on campus with the Queen City Distillers site already,” Bachynski said. “But the finalized kind of detailed agreement, my understanding is that they’re still targeting to get it done early September – that’s the target as far as I know.”
