Shaun Semple, owner of Brandt group, secured a 90-year lease from Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) for a 42,000-square-foot space at Regina's exhibition grounds. Approved by city council (8-3 vote), Semple's company will take over the lease from YQR Distillery Ltd., which owes REAL $500,000 in rent. Semple plans to invest at least $12 million to build a premium sports bar, music venue, and expand the Regina Pats store, aiming to create 100-200 jobs. The deal faced council concerns over its length and lack of public details. REAL also confirmed seven senior leadership layoffs.
'It's not a favour': Shaun Semple gets 90-year lease at REAL for sports bar, music venue
RealRegina Exhibition AssociationRegina Exhibition Asssociation Ltd.Regina exhibition association limitedCity of Regina CouncilRegina City CouncilCity of ReginaReginaSaskatchewanChad BachynskiDavid FrohJaime BoldtMayor Chad BachynskiSarah TurnbullShaun SempleCultureConcertsAlcoholic beveragesLiquor
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Shaun Semple, owner of Brandt group, secured a 90-year lease from Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) for a 42,000-square-foot space at Regina's exhibition grounds. Approved by city council (8-3 vote), Semple's company will take over the lease from YQR Distillery Ltd., which owes REAL $500,000 in rent. Semple plans to invest at least $12 million to build a premium sports bar, music venue, and expand the Regina Pats store, aiming to create 100-200 jobs. The deal faced council concerns over its length and lack of public details. REAL also confirmed seven senior leadership layoffs.
- 1 2021: YQR Distillery signed lease agreement with REAL.
- 2 Feb. 26, 2025: Adam Sperling removed as director of 102207241 Saskatchewan Ltd.; Shaun Semple added as director.
- 3 Monday (June 2, 2025): Seven senior leadership/management positions eliminated at REAL.
- 4 Tuesday (June 3, 2025): City council approved the 90-year lease deal.
- 5 Early next week (June 9-13, 2025): New REAL CEO to be announced.
- 6 September (2025): Goal to have the space at least partially open.
- Semple's company takes over lease
- REAL gets a new anchor tenant
- $12M investment in the space
- Creation of 100-200 jobs
- Prohibition of other sports bars/pubs/wholesale liquor distribution at REAL
- REAL will not recover $500k from YQR Distillery
- 7 senior leadership layoffs at REAL
- New REAL CEO to be announced
What: Shaun Semple's company, 102207241 Saskatchewan Ltd., secured a 90-year lease from Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) for a 42,000-square-foot space to build a sports bar and music venue.
When: Approved by city council on Tuesday (June 3, 2025).
Where: Regina's exhibition grounds (REAL campus), Regina, Saskatchewan.
Why: To take over a lease from YQR Distillery Ltd. (which owes REAL $500,000 in rent) and to make REAL commercially viable by creating a new entertainment destination and jobs.
How: Through a deal negotiated between Semple and REAL, approved by city council after debate and rejected amendments.