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  Regina City

Regina

[Updated 2012]

Regina, with a metro area population of 210,556 (2011 census), is the capital of Saskatchewan and home of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the province's beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders football team of the Canadian Football League (CFL). It's a prairie oasis with a big-city feel and small-town warmth.

The city's economy is based on government, agricultural services, insurance and telecommunications.

Wascana Park is the central feature of the city and a marvellous testament to wise city planning. Every tree in the huge (2,300 acres), picture-perfect park was planted by hand, and placid Wascana Lake was created through engineering ingenuity applied to a small creek. Early settlers in the 1882 tent town called "Pile O' Bones" would be amazed at the transformation of their little community.

Wascana Park Many of Regina's attractions are situated in or near the park. The majestic Legislative Building and adjoining flower gardens are the focal point of area. The Saskatchewan Science Centre with its Kramer IMAX Theatre, at Winnipeg Street and Wascana Drive, is one of the most popular tourist spots in the province. The science centre exists to be experienced, with more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Demonstrations, live stage shows and visiting exhibits add to the fun. The IMAX theatre features a five-story screen with an 11,000-watt sound system that puts the audience smack dab in middle of the show.

Find out how Saskatchewan's history, culture and biodiversity affect the rest of the world at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, on the corner of Albert Street and College Avenue. Let your imagination soar as you visit a tropical rainforest, a tipi encampment on the prairie and a life-size dinosaur! Three galleries explore the province's geological and fossil history, aboriginal culture and eco-regions (admission by donation). At the MacKenzie Art Gallery, located at 3475 Albert St. South, historical to contemporary works by Canadian, American and international artists are on display (free admission).

Regina views itself as the home of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police because every member of the fabled force goes through the training academy, located at the west end of the city on Dewdney Avenue. Tour the RCMP Heritage Centre, which employs intriguing historical artifacts, weapons, uniforms and personal memorabilia to illustrate the rich history of the force. See an exercise in precision marching at the Sergeant Major's drill parade (306-780-5900). In the summer months, watch the colorful sunset ceremonies on Tuesday evenings, or take a tour of the training academy, all free of charge (donations accepted, call toll free 866-567-7267 for more information). Academy tours run daily from Victoria Day to Labour Day each year.

Regina's rich culture includes the Globe Theatre (plays run from October to April), a host of art galleries, several internationally-acclaimed artists, the oldest continuously-operating symphony in the nation, Mosaic multi-cultural festival and the Dragon Boat Festival on Wascana Lake.

To fully appreciate Regina, however, it's important understand many in the city live and die with the fate of their CFL team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (July through October). Mosaic Stadium, with its lively fans from across the province, is recognized as one of the most entertaining venues in the CFL.

The world-class Casino Regina, a wide variety of nightclubs, horse racing, golf courses (see below), a great farmers' market, and restaurants and accommodations to suit every taste - Regina has them all. For more information, contact Tourism Regina.



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