Wascana Centre and University of Regina set plan for future

The Wascana Centre Authority and the University of Regina have unveiled their plan for the future aplan considered to be the vision and blueprint for the next 100 years.

Wascana Centre CEO Bernadette McIntyre credits a visionary premier in 1905, Walter Scott, who set aside land around the Legislature and implemented the first 'master plan' in 1913.

McIntyre says the intent of the plan was to protect the park from any deviation.

"The land has not become another area of box stores, it's available to everyone to use, it's so many peoples backyards."

McIntyre, who gets about a handful of suggestions and ideas for the park every month, says any change or deviation from the planhas to go through a significant consultation process, so it provides protection for the future.

The vision for the future, with the exception of a few changes, is mostly status quo.

Development in the park will only evolve as moneybecomes available, such as replacing or repairing infrastructure.

McIntyre says over the next couple years they will focus on upgrading and expanding trails. They will also return some areas of the park to its natural habitat, particularly around the east lake and the arts centre.

"It's mostly what people wanted, it's embracing and keeping the wonderful romantic landscapes that we have. We are a prairie city in a prairie province, so lets reflect some of that natural habitat."

McIntyre saysnatural landscape in the park is more sustainable and in the long run it will save some money.

According to McIntryre, Wascana Park had more than five million visits last year.

Wascana Centre will also be looking at the need for more washrooms as well as safety issues, and McIntyre says it will be working with the University of Regina on what has to be done on Campus.

The university's plan identifies 30 strategies, including the location and arrangement of academic and communal facilities, the landscape that ties the campus together, and the design parameters for projects as they come up.