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After more than two decades of waiting, a piece of land in North Central Regina is finally getting a new beginning.
On Monday, the Piapot First Nation broke ground on a nearly $10 million commercial development at 1101 Angus St., marking a major milestone for a property the First Nation purchased more than 20 years ago.
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The two-storey, 24,000-square-foot building is expected to open in November 2027, bringing new retail and office space to the neighbourhood.
Shovels stand ready at the construction site of Piapot First Nation’s nearly $10 million commercial development on Angus Street in Regina on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. The project is expected to open in November of 2027. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)
For Chief Mark Fox, the groundbreaking represents years of planning, financial preparation and determination.
“It’s very exciting, after 22 years, to break ground here,” Fox said.
“Prior to me being elected chief in 2020, I know the former chiefs had discussions on developing this land.”
The First Nation purchased the property in the early 2000s through the Treaty Land Entitlement process, and established its urban reserve on Angus Street in 2008.
While the land has been home to the Creeland Mini Mart and Gas Bar since 2009, plans for a larger commercial development have been in the works for years.
Fox said the delay came down to ensuring the First Nation had the resources and business structure needed to take on a project of this size.
“As a nation, we had to work towards our business development,” he said.
“We have a council now, and we also have the revenue to fund and to complete a project like this today.”
Drummers take part in a ceremony marking the groundbreaking of Piapot First Nation’s new commercial development in North Central Regina on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)
Young Dogs Developments Limited Partnership, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Piapot First Nation, is leading the development.
The building will include six retail units, a drive-through space and approximately 12,000 square feet of office space.
Fox said the First Nation is hoping to attract a mix of businesses.
“We’re hoping to get a pharmacy in here. Hopefully someday there’ll be a bank here,” he said.
Fox said he also hopes Crown corporations and other First Nations will consider leasing office space in the building.
While a grocery store was previously considered for the property, Fox said the First Nation ultimately decided to pursue the two-storey commercial development instead.
The project is expected to create employment opportunities for Piapot First Nation members.
Fox said Westridge, the company working on the project, plans to visit the First Nation to hold a job fair and recruit members interested in construction work.
“We’re going to be doing a call out to our members to come forward with their tickets, their resumes, and start working on the site here,” he said.
Construction is underway at 1101 Angus St. in North Central Regina, where Piapot First Nation is building a nearly $10 million retail and office development. The project is expected to open in November 2027. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)
Beyond the construction jobs, he said the development will provide economic benefits for the First Nation well into the future.
“It helps with jobs, employment, revenue coming back into our community (on a) long-term basis,” Fox said.
“Also for our children, our grandchildren. They’ll also benefit from the properties.”
The project is part of broader efforts to revitalize North Central Regina.
Other developments in the area include a 30-unit rapid housing project near Fifth Avenue and Angus Street, and a planned multipurpose community centre being led by All Nations Hope Network.
Piapot First Nation says it hopes its investment will encourage further economic development and create opportunities for businesses interested in operating on reserve land within Regina.
For Fox, one of the most rewarding parts of the project has been seeing the response from First Nation members. He said members were involved in community engagement sessions that helped shape the building’s design.
“Our members are very proud. They said that they finally get to see something happening on our urban reserve here on 11 block Angus,” he said.
“To see their thoughts come into the building, they’re very proud and they’re honoured and they’re excited for the day for us to get the keys and open for business.”
And the Angus Street development may be just the beginning.
Fox said the First Nation is already exploring several additional projects, including potential land acquisitions, the development of property east of Regina near Grenfell and new construction projects on the First Nation itself.
He said he hopes some of those projects will be ready to break ground as early as next year.
For now, after more than two decades of discussions and planning, the focus is on turning the Angus Street property into a lasting source of opportunity for the community.
–with files from 980 CJME’s Gillian Massie
