Regina is increasing program fees for non-residents, but why?

Non-Regina residents hoping to enter city recreation programs will have to pay a surcharge, while addresses must be verified in person. Donovan Maess reports.

The City of Regina is implementing a new surcharge for non-residents registering for its public programs.

In October, city council passed a motion brought forward by Ward 4 Coun. Mark Burton to create a new fee for non-Regina residents accessing city-run programs.

“The entry fees to the facilities only pay a portion of the actual cost for the city and taxes actually encompass the rest,” he told CTV News Tuesday. “This gives an opportunity for Regina residents to ensure they get front of the line access to facilities and that non-residents, who don’t pay taxes, have to wait until other programs are opened.”

This means residents who live outside city limits and register for public programs will see a 50 per cent surcharge added to their fee.

Burton says those who live in his ward are supportive of the idea.

“They feel this improves the fairness and ensures that the residents are then recognized in Regina for paying their taxes and rightfully getting their place in programs that are run by the City of Regina,” he added.

Address verification

Since the start of February, residents have been allowed to verify their address with the city.

Through the resident verification program, residents must verify their address in-person so they are ready for Summer 2026 registration, when resident registration dates and resident pricing apply for City of Regina recreation programs.

“You are considered a resident if your primary home address is within Regina’s municipal boundaries,” the city says on its website. “People living in surrounding towns, rural municipalities or other communities are considered non-residents, regardless of where they work.”

Verification must be completed in person, only needs to be done once – unless your address changes, any adult listed on the account can verify residency for the entire family account and verification cannot be completed online due to privacy requirements.

Residents are asked to complete their verification at one of four locations:

• Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre
• North West Leisure Centre
• Sportplex (Lawson Aquatic Centre and Fieldhouse)
• City Hall pop-up verification dates:

To verify your address, you must bring a valid government I.D. with a Regina address, or document confirming a Regina address – like a utility bill, bank statement or tax notice.

Regina residents who do not confirm their address will be treated as non-residents.

The Surcharge Applies to registered recreation programs such as:

• Swimming lessons
• Fitness programs
• Sports programs
• Fine arts programs
• Adapted programs
• Other registered programs listed in the Leisure Guide

It Does Not Apply to:

• Single admissions
• Bulk admissions
• Leisure Passes
• Drop-in programs

“Residents are encouraged to complete their verification between February 1 and April 30, 2026. Regina resident registration opens May 12 and non-resident registration opens May 19,” the city said in a statement.

“Regina is a welcoming city. We still want visitors to come use our facilities and drop-in programs will still be available at the regular charge,” said Burton. The non-resident surcharge only affects certain programs when people sign up for themselves, or for their children, and that prioritizes the residents of Regina to get access to those programs.”

The city’s 2026 summer leisure guide is expected to be released May 5.