Sarah Mills: Sometimes you have to take it back to the 1980s to watch your favourite show
The release of Stranger Things final season reminds of us a time when you had to get up to turn the channel, had the len...
After two years of construction, barricades and detours, Dewdney Avenue is finally ready to reopen, and businesses in Regina’s Warehouse District say Monday marks the start of a much-needed new chapter.
The stretch between Broad Street and Albert Street reopened Monday morning after a full-scale revitalization project that replaced underground infrastructure and rebuilt the street with wider sidewalks, new lighting and a more pedestrian-friendly layout.
Read more:
- Two major constructions projects are nearly done: City of Regina
- Dewdney businesses want people to know they will be open during construction
- Details of Dewdney Avenue Corridor Revitalization Project revealed at open house
For many shop owners, the return of drive-by traffic can’t come soon enough.
“We’ve definitely seen a drop in foot traffic… It’s affected our sales negatively,” said Heike Edwards, owner of The Wine Cellar. “The street is looking very good, and we’re hopeful. We’ve been waiting for this to open.”
The reopening is especially meaningful for businesses that arrived during the construction period.
The Break owner Kurtis Dmuchowski stands inside the pool hall ahead of Dewdney Avenue’s reopening. He says the return of traffic will finally give new businesses visibility after months of construction. (Jacob Bamhour 980 CJME)
Kurtis Dmuchowski, owner of The Break pool hall, moved into the district in August 2024 only to have the street close immediately afterward.
“We’ve been here since August of last year… the street’s been closed ever since,” he said. “Nobody knew we were here. We’re pretty excited it’s finally done.”
The Dewdney Avenue Corridor Revitalization project, part of the city’s broader Regina Revitalization Initiative, renewed aging water and sewer lines, upgraded drainage, added multi-use paths, and installed new street and sidewalk lighting. Landscaping, wider sidewalks and a refreshed roadway are intended to support a future mixed-use neighbourhood.
Edwards said the finished streetscape shows real promise.
“The wider sidewalks look very nice. We’ll see if that increases traffic at all,” she said. “It’s been a long summer, but the street itself looks beautiful.”
Dmuchowski believes the redesign could trigger the next phase of development along the corridor, especially around the former rail yards.
“They’ve done an amazing job,” he said. “Next year, we can put 40 chairs outside and have a patio. This will be one of the most attractive streets in the province.”
He also hopes the site across the street eventually includes new attractions.
“I really like the idea of the Red Sox building a 3,500-seat stadium here,” he said. “There’s a lot of potential.”
Both business owners say Monday’s reopening will finally give the district the visibility it has been missing for years.
The rebuilt stretch of Dewdney Avenue outside The Break Pool Hall features wider sidewalks, new lighting and landscaping. The street reopens to traffic on Monday. (Jacob Bamhour 980 CJME)
“It’s been pretty painful, but it had to be done,” Dmuchowski said. “Everything underground was 100 years old. Tomorrow feels like a reset.”
Edwards hopes the return of regular traffic will lead to renewed shopper support.
“I hope people come down and support the businesses that stayed open through all this.”
With the street set to reopen Monday, businesses say the Warehouse District is ready to turn the page for a new chapter.
