‘Regina’s home’: Concerns swirl over future of Agribition at REAL District

After an eviction notice, Stock Growers fear REAL District changes could reshape Agribition and affect Saskatchewan's ag sector. Donovan Maess reports.

Concerns continue to swirl regarding the future of Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) at the REAL District in the wake of an approved sale of some buildings on the property to Brandt.

Operating and hosting the show at Regina Exhibition Park for 55 years, CWA CEO Shaun Kindopp says the organization continues to work with the city and new landlords through what the event will look like.

“We’re currently working through risk mitigation on the Canada Centre as there will be no livestock in the Canada Centre moving forward,” he said in an interview with CTV News Thursday.

“We are working collaboratively with the City of Regina, as well as Brandt, to ensure all of our livestock remain on site and in an adequate space on par – or better – to what our exhibitors expected in 2025.”

Brandt’s REAL District purchase was approved by city council in May.

The deal includes 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.

Brandt will assume existing leases, sponsorship, food and beverage and service agreements related to the buildings, as well as all event bookings or contracts. The company will also assume all Regina Exhibition Association Ltd. (REAL) employment contracts.

Brandt is expected to complete phase one of the deal by July 1, while aiming to have full possession of its buildings by Sept. 1.

Many of the buildings included in the sale are large pieces of the CWA footprint.

“We need to make sure that we’ve got the footprint for the livestock,” said Kindopp. “We’re a livestock show, we need our dates. We’re working through all of that at the moment and we’re full steam ahead.”

The annual livestock show brings in thousands from around the world each year.

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According to CWA, over 1,200 international guests from over 76 countries attended the show last year.

Despite the ‘full steam ahead’ approach from the CWA, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) has concerns about potential changes.

“This is a challenge for agriculture in Regina,” SSGA past president Jeff Yorga told CTV News. “The ag industry has been part of paying for every building at REAL; whether it was federal, provincial and municipal dollars, the agriculture industry are the ones that built that facility.”

Eviction notices

Multiple organizations, including the SSGA, are facing eviction from the district.

The Canadian Bison Association’s (CBA) office has been at the park for over 20 years.

“I thought, ‘Okay, well, there’ll be some likely be some changes, maybe to our rent, maybe some changes to the service we get,” CBA executive director Scott Yule said. “Getting evicted wasn’t anywhere in my [mind]; I didn’t imagine that for any reason at all.”

“When you think of an agricultural facility in Regina – probably top of the list is these structures,” he added.

According to eviction letters from REAL, the leases are being terminated due to “required for other uses and construction activities.”

Both leases are set to be terminated effective July 19, according to the letter.

The SSGA has resided at the park for 45 years and was a founding member of Agribition.

“Initially, we were quite excited,” said Yorga. “The proposal that was presented initially, showed the old Agribition Building was going to be renovated into a brewery – an onsite event centre that would go alongside with everything that’s happening at REAL. At the same time, the facilities that were there were going to potentially get a facelift.”

“What’s being proposed now is not what was presented to city council and is not what was proposed initially. This has caught us off guard,” he added.

Yorga is not as concerned about the need to find a new office.

Instead, his worries go much deeper.

“There’s vacancies; we can find office space,” Yorga said. “Regina used to host the Royal Red, and it does not host that event anymore. Regina used to have the Farm Progress Show, which was the largest farm show in Western Canada – that’s no longer the same in Regina. And now Agribition is under threat; that’s $150 million of economic activity.”

Cattle concerns

Yorga says any potential changes to the event could be detrimental to Agribition.

“[It] happens at the end of November, it’s cold outside, those livestock have to be indoors. Folks don’t travel from around North America to exhibit at a show where they’re going to be in a tent outside. It’s not realistic for the caliber of show Agribition is trying to put on,” he added.

“When you lose square footage, you have to move those cattle somewhere else.”

While not related to cattle, the bison association has strong ties to Agribition.

Each year, the CBA hosts ‘Bison Day’ on the Tuesday where bison become the focus for showing and selling.

“What that means, I don’t know,” said Yule. “It sounds like there’s quite a bit of space that might not be available to them; Agribition fills every corner of this facility every year, and they do a great job.”

“It’s tough on us finding a new place to move, but we’re not talking about an office – we’re talking about a place to host several thousands [of] animals in the city,” he added.

As a key stakeholder, Yule worries some exhibitors – including his own organization – could be pushed out if the show is scaled back.

“If things get smaller, people are less likely to come,” he warned. “And then when less people are likely to come, they make it smaller again. That’s kind of how things work.”

Kindopp was quick to assure exhibitors CWA has no interest in shrinking the show.

“We’re not interested in scaling back,” he said. “We’ve had great momentum coming out of the pandemic. Last year was a record year and we’re looking to build on that to have another record year. But again, we’ve got a lot of risk we’re still working through to mitigate at the moment.”

Mitigating impact

For a second time this week, Brandt declined an interview request from CTV News to provide further details surrounding plans for the REAL District and impacts on tenants.

Instead, the company provided a statement through email.

“Canadian Western Agribition is an important event for Regina and the agricultural community,” the statement said. “Brandt is committed to working collaboratively with Agribition to support its continued success.”

Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski responded to the concerns as well, noting the critical role CWA plays in the city’s economy.

“We’re in a unique position right now,” he told reporters following Wednesday’s council meeting.

“We have a non-binding term sheet, but we are still working through the finalized deal. We are in a position where we can ensure all those parties, specifically Brandt knows and recognizes, [Agribition] is very important part of the deal.”

Ensuring the sustainability of the large economic driver remains top of mind for the city.

“We don’t want to lose Agribition,” Mayor Bachynski said. “That’s why it was a very, very clear point and clear term made in the initial non-binding term sheet. It’s incredibly important to the city, important to the province.”

“But there’s lots of work to do,” he added.

Brandt says it is working with CWA.

“Discussions are ongoing and focused on ensuring continuity while considering long-term opportunities for the site,” the company’s statement said. “Any future plans will be coordinated thoughtfully to minimize disruption and support Agribition moving forward.”

Kindopp wants to see more concrete assurances about the event’s footprint for years to come.

“For 55 years, we’ve had the momentum continue to grow,” he said. “The building has continued to evolve and the exhibition has continued to evolve. Pending our risk of being mitigated: Regina’s home.”

The 2026 version of Canadian Western Agribition remains on track and on schedule for Nov. 23-28.