The equipment at District Brewing Company was supposed to be going full speed right now.
Instead, the company aiming to be Regina’s first microbrewery has been left wondering when they’ll be up and running as a dispute waged about the building they’re leasing.
“To be at a standstill, it just kind of sucks,” said one of the company’s founders, Byron Wiebe, adding March 1st was supposed to be launch day. “This is our blood, sweat and tears.”
In the early ‘90’s, the city sold the building at 1555 8th Avenue to Optimist Gymnastics Association of Regina (OGAR) – but with conditions. If OGAR was not using the property anymore, they would have to return it to the city. When OGAR outgrew the facility a decade later they leased it out to raise money for their programming, making about $60,000 a year. On Monday, OGAR said the volunteers on the board were unaware of the clauses.
At Monday’s city council meeting, the city stepped in and took the building back.
“We have an obligation under the agreement to take it back if OGAR does not do what they’re supposed to do under the agreement; and they didn’t do that,” said Mayor Michael Fougere.
The dispute leaves the microbrewery stuck in the middle, but the city, as the company’s new landlord, promises the company will not be left high and dry.
“We’re not in any way going to disrupt anything,” Fougere said. “We want to make sure we protect the tenant.”
Wiebe says they have not had a chance to speak with the city yet about the new arrangements, but they are optimistic they can finalize some of the remaining permits and begin brewing. Already they have received commitments from about 60 restaurants to sell their beer.
“It would mean so much, just after two years,” explained Wiebe. “This is what we’ve been looking forward to and it would mean a lot to get going.”
The company hopes to get underway soon so their product can get to restaurants and liquor stores in June or July, just in time for the summer rush.
As for OGAR, the city says it will try to help the organization out.
“We will fund them, finance them for this year because they missed the deadline for a grant,” said Fougere. “But we’re suggesting next year they apply for the grant and receive the money like everyone else does.”
Details on financing are still being discussed.
After Monday’s city council decision, Brian Nestman of OGAR said he was happy with the decision, especially since the city plans to help with funding in some way.
“We’ve had some people who were passionate about the building, but I think at the end of the day they’ve been passionate about the building because it was allowing us to generate revenue for gymnastics,” he explained.
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