REAL and FCR get ball rolling on 25-year lease agreement

The Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) and Futbol Club Regina (FCR) have kicked off a 25-year lease agreement.

“We have always been looking for a place where we can call home,” TJ Singh, Executive Director with FCR said. “We wanted something (where) we can centralize our programming and I feel this is the best way we could have done that.

“Our main goal is to expand the game of soccer, not just in Regina, but in Canada.”

FCR is one of Saskatchewan’s largest serving and standing non-for-profit clubs. It offers both recreational and elite athlete experiences, and an inclusive environment for all to play.

As part of the announcement, the agreement will include the expansion of the indoor space with additional seating, and an outdoor space with a multi-use synthetic turf field beside the AffinityPlex building. Allowing soccer players to take full advantage of the sport.

“2020 was anything but typical (but) FCR found a way to continue,” Tim Reid, President and CEO of REAL said. “They found a way to program, they found a way to play, and I think what we realized through that is how important access to play is for all ages.

“2044 is the next time we get to talk about what happens next in this building. That’s an incredibly exciting place to be because it talks about the development of athletes and generations, sport and frankly, consistency in business.”

The expansion agreement will occur in 4 phases:

• Phase one: secure a 25-year partnership, and AffinityPlex interior to include enhanced, permanent second level spectator seating;
• Phase two: development of an outdoor synthetic field for enhanced recreational purposes;
• Phase three: the addition of spectator seating and premium services for the attraction of professional sport and sport tourism; and
• Phase four: addition of a heated dome structure to allow for sport and recreations 365 days a year.

Reid explained there is a need to find a space as soccer in Canada grows at all levels. Ultimately, the goal is to be attractive to potential visiting teams around FIFA 2026.

“There is an opportunity for Regina to play a substantial leader in that space,” Reid said. “You know, the reality of it is is we know that there’s a number of clubs coming to North America that will be looking for places to practice and play.

“We want to make sure that we can put our best foot forward having the ability to have a Mosaic Stadium with the amenities that it does, plus an additional outdoor facility, an indoor facility, and that makes us an incredibly attractive potential host site … There will be a desire and a growth around the sport of soccer, and we want to make sure that Regina is first in line to celebrate that.”