The city of Regina is considering cutting funding for Regina’s Floral Conservatory and several local arts organizations in the upcoming budget year. The proposed 2026 budget forecast suggests a potential 15.69% increase in property taxes to maintain current services, equating to a $33 monthly hike for the average homeowner.
City administrators have presented a list of 131 services that could be eliminated to mitigate the tax increase. Among the proposed cuts are the closure of the Neil Balkwill Arts Centre, which houses the Art Gallery of Regina, and the Community Investments and Grant Program (CIGP), a funding source for various cultural entities.
If the arts centre were to shut down, the city could save $250,000 annually, reducing the average homeowner’s monthly tax bill by $0.53. Similarly, discontinuing the CIGP would result in savings of $5.37 million, translating to $11.33 less per month for homeowners.
Sandee Moore, the gallery’s curator, expressed dismay at the potential cuts, emphasizing the challenges of relocating and finding a comparable facility. The Art Gallery of Regina, known for its free admission, relies on multiple funding streams, making the loss of physical space and city funding a critical issue.
Another impacted organization is the Cathedral Village Arts Festival, which stands to lose its $10,000 annual grant from CIGP. The festival’s director, Don Young, highlighted the importance of city funding and expressed concerns about the potential impact on the local arts community.
The proposed budget also includes the conversion of the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre into a community-funded operation, saving the city $140,000 annually. Young emphasized the significance of public investment in cultural events, citing the closure of festivals like the Regina Folk Festival and Regina Fringe Festival in recent years.
Additionally, the Regina Floral Conservatory faces closure if city funding is withdrawn, resulting in annual savings exceeding $730,000. Jolene Norleen, a conservatory board member, expressed surprise at the announcement and praised the outpouring of public support for the facility.
While no final decisions have been made, the city council is scheduled to deliberate on the budget and mill rate on December 15. Concerned citizens can register to address the council about the proposed cuts on Regina.ca.