Regina city councillors have appointed a new interim board of directors for Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL).
During Friday’s special city council meeting, the names being considered were introduced including Regina city manager Niki Anderson, City of Regina CFO Barry Lacey, Anderson’s chief of staff Ly Pham, manager of parks and recreation Jeff May, city executive director Jennifer Johnson, and director of labour relations Maria Burns.
“Administration’s nominees are all employees of the city of Regina whose expertise is well aligned with the functions of REAL and well suited to provide effective interim oversite of the corporation,” Anderson said during Friday’s meeting.
The new REAL board was approved with a vote of 6-1.
The interim board will be dissolved at the end of July 2024, giving the city enough time to search for a permanent board.
Bob Hawkins remains as the city council’s representative on the REAL board but will be replaced by Coun. Lori Bresciani on Jan. 1, 2024.
“The appointment of City of Regina employees is the most efficient approach to swiftly and responsibly re-establish oversight of REAL at the Board level, following the recent resignation of all REAL Board members,” the City of Regina said in a press release.
Concerns were raised about the fact that the appointees make up an even number of voting members, but it was clarified even if a tie occurred during a vote, a decision would still have to me made.
Councilor John Findura also questioned what has changed from previous council discussions where it was stated it didn’t have the capacity to take over REAL.
Anderson said bringing in Jennifer Johnson as the city’s executive director makes the move possible.
The previous REAL board was made up of volunteer positions, this board will be paid. Anderson said the new board would not cost taxpayers anything.
On Wednesday, all members of the REAL board of directors resigned shortly after Regina city council voted to fire them amid uncertainty over the organization’s future.
During the meeting, council discussed a motion that would have administration provide a report to council in 2024 on what would be required to dissolve REAL.
The report will be presented to council at the end of the second quarter in 2024.
The decision comes after a financial review on REAL was done by MNP that showed that MNP does not believe REAL could break even in the immediate term and is expecting REAL to face major financial losses of $4 million to $5 million in the next three years.
REAL requested more financial help from city council in next year’s budget to remain operational.
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