Temporary fences removed from Regina city hall

Regina Police officers removed temporary fencing surrounding city hall on Thursday.

It was installed during the summer after a large tent encampment on the property was decommissioned in late July.

More of the same. The fencing near Smith Street by city hall is almost taken down. pic.twitter.com/lppUguMzk4

— Gillian Massie (@massie_gillian) September 28, 2023

Take down began Thursday morning around 8:20 a.m. When fences were removed from the area, crews checked the grounds to see if anything was left behind.

Police cars sitting on McIntyre Street while fences are taken down at Regina city hall, in Regina, September 28, 2023. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)

On Wednesday, city manager Niki Anderson said the fence reduced the risk of biohazards on city property.

“The green spaces on the City Hall Courtyard are safe and clean,” Anderson said in an emailed news release. “The fences have allowed the grass to recover, and have significantly reduced the future cost of landscape repair.”

Anderson added the City of Regina will enforce its Parks & Open Space Bylaw that forbids temporary shelters.

The cost of the clean-up was estimated at around $60,000 by Mayor Sandra Masters.

Tents first started to pop up on city hall property in June. It grew to a peak of 83 tents on the lawn.

A request made on Wednesday to the City of Regina for the total cost of repairs was not fulfilled by the time of this publication.

In late July, Regina Fire Chief Layne Jackson ordered the removal of the camp after multiple fires.

Jackson gave people 24 hours to pack their things and move off the front lawn, citing an “imminent risk” to safety.

After the warning, police swathed the grounds forcing many off the property. Eleven people were arrested as the camp was decommissioned.

Regina police officers cut down tents left behind as they dismantle the tent encampment in front of Regina City Hall on July 28, 2023. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)