It's 'full steam ahead' for Agribition, as Brandt announces construction of new building

Brandt Sports & Entertainment has announced the construction of a new 115,000-square-foot facility within Regina’s REAL district to support the upcoming Canadian Western Agribition. The project aims to replace lost livestock accommodation following the sale of the Avana Centre and is scheduled for completion by November 2026. This development represents a significant investment in regional event infrastructure and modernizing agricultural exhibition space to ensure the long-term viability of major industry events.

Brandt owner Shaun Semple confirmed that the new 115,000-square-foot structure will provide approximately 37 percent more space for Agribition compared to the 84,000-square-foot Avana Centre, which was recently sold. The construction is being fast-tracked to ensure the facility is operational for the international event this fall. Semple emphasized that rapid movement is essential to meet the November deadline, providing certainty to international exhibitors and visitors who had expressed concerns regarding the future of the 2026 event during the district's ongoing real estate transitions.

The project is part of a broader, complex redevelopment of the REAL district involving Brandt Sports & Entertainment. While the sale of the Avana Centre is finalized, several other building acquisitions are currently undergoing due diligence. Semple described the transaction as one of the most complex in his 40-year career, involving the termination of month-to-month leases for several agricultural organizations, including the Canadian Bison Association and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Despite the displacement of these tenants, industry leaders like Henry McCarthy of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association have expressed support for the new construction as a necessary step for the event's future.

In addition to the primary exhibition building, Brandt revealed plans for a significant expansion of Queen City Distillers, which is envisioned as a flagship landmark on Lewvan Drive. These developments are framed as critical modernizations required to protect community assets and maintain the city's competitive edge for large-scale events. The construction surge at the site reflects a strategic shift toward private investment in public-use districts, with Semple noting that failing to modernize risks the loss of the very organizations and assets the community seeks to protect.