Regina city council approves new dog parks, supports LPGA event

Paws of support are going up around the Regina city council table to add more off-leash dog parks.

Council unanimously voted to approve creating up to six more year-round parks Monday night. Right now, there’s only one.

“Dogs have become very important. Putting people together with their dog in a safe environment, in a welcoming environment, in a social environment builds another sense of community,” said Ward 8 Councillor Mike O’Donnell.

Three fenced parks will be created in new developments in the north, south and east ends of the city.

Dog owner Jana Holtz agreed with O’Donnell that these parks act as an integral part of any city or town.

“It’s not just a place where people go and individually walk their dogs. There’s very much a sense of community; people meet, they walk,” she explained before city council.

She believes many pet owners will be relieved to have a park closer to where they live.

Beginning in 2017, the city will also be testing up to three new unfenced off-leash parks. The pilot project will last at least a year. Some still have their doubts on this aspect.

“[I’m] a little uncomfortable with the safety, liability, etc. of no fence, in case they do run away,” revealed Ward 4 Councillor Bryon Burnett.

LPGA Event Supported

It’s a mulligan the city hopes will pay off.

Council also voted in favour of chipping in $100,000 worth of support to secure the 2018 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open LPGA event, contingent partly on whether the bid for the event is accepted.

Two years ago, the city put in a similar bid to host, but that event was ultimately awarded to Calgary.

The local economic impact an event such as this is estimated to have on host cities is over $8 million.