10 things I bet you didn’t know about Regina
Canada’s immense land area has resulted in many hidden gems littered across the country. Some Saskatchewans might be aware of some of the facts we’ll be dropping today about Regina. However, if you’re from other provinces or other parts of the world, you might be here to learn about some of the lesser-known points, as well as a few quirky facts and figures for good measure.
Regina is home to perhaps Canada’s best footfall stadium and definitely home to the most avid fans.
#1 - It’s the capital of Saskatchewan
While not the biggest city in the province, it is the provincial capital. Some Canadians believe that the most populated city in the province, Saskatoon, takes this crown, given that over 70,000 more people live there. First named as the province's capital just shy of 120 years ago, Regina has retained the title, which is a source of pride for locals! Saskatoon holds the distinction of being the most populated city – but it’s not the capital. There’s our first fact for the day!
#2 - Online casino gaming is now legal
Unlike some areas of the US, Canada has often applied a stricter approach to regulating gambling companies. It’s not just casinos that fall into this category – sports betting companies also faced stiff opposition when trying to set up in Saskatchewan and many other Canadian provinces, for that matter. Digital casinos now offer a variety of payment methods, from traditional credit card-style payments to PayPal deposits and withdrawals.
Although the law changed and only became ratified in 2022, online gaming has proved to be a hit for those bettors based in Regina, especially those who use PayPal to place their bets. With its services been ranked and available on casino.ca, PayPal casinos in Canada have benefited from years of successful implementation in other gambling markets, such as the UK, Australia and certain parts of the US. A common misconception is that Canada still has many restrictive gambling laws in place, but Regina casino gamers will be the first to tell you that this is no longer the case.
#3 - Steve Nash lived there (briefly)
Steve Nash is an NBA icon and is widely considered by NBA experts, fans and fellow players to be one of the greatest point guards in the sport’s history. While his coaching career didn’t follow the same glittering path as his phenomenal playing career, he’s definitely one of the biggest names in Canadian sporting history.
The South African-born basketball star eventually settled in British Columbia, but Regina was the first port of call for his parents when Steve was only a few months old. The multi-MVP was named to the All-Star team over half a dozen times and has been synonymous with the NBA from the late 1990s and early 2000s, paving the way for Canadians who wanted to make it in the big league.
Photo Credit: Galleries West
#4 - Twinned with Fujioka, Japan
Over the years, Regina has formed many bonds with international cities: Jinan in China and Bucharest, Romania are two examples. The recent twinning with Fujioka occurred in 2019 and represents a bond of friendship between the two cities, despite the thousands of miles between them. Cities worldwide make these cultural bonds in a bid to extend a hand of friendship, which both Fujioka and Regina gracefully accepted.
#5 - It’s Canada’s 18th most populated city
We appreciate this probably isn’t the first fact that you’ll be rushing to tell your friends and family from today’s piece. While it pales in size in comparison to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or Calgary – a bustling tourist hub – with just over 200,000 residents and a growing population, Regina could find itself climbing up these rankings over the next decade or so. Our figures were taken from the 2021 Canadian consensus.
#6 - Named by royalty
As part of the Commonwealth, there’s a lot of British influence in the names of streets, towns and cities right across Canada. Regina was the name given by Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, who was the reigning monarch in England when the city first got its name in the late 1890s. Back then, Regina was little more than a glorified town compared to today's vibrant provincial capital.
#7 - Home of Canada’s oldest performing orchestra
Contrary to popular belief, the Regina Symphony Orchestra is the longest-running orchestra operating anywhere in Canada. Many believe this title would fall to an orchestra based in Montreal or Toronto, but no, little old Regina can boast this impressive fact.
#8 - Wascana Place is huge!
Perhaps one of the best recommendations for any tourists who find themselves in Regina, the Wascana Center is an enormous park, over double the size of Central Park. First constructed over 100 years ago, Wascana Place is a popular location for Regina citizens. Right in the middle of the city, it is home to New Year fireworks and a host of festivals, markets and concerts throughout the year.
#9 - It’s the hottest capital in Canada
Regina has the distinction of enjoying more sunlight hours than any other capital city in Canada. While there’s not too much in it, it averages over 2,360 hours of sunlight a year. So, if you’re more of a summer person, Regina could be an underrated destination if you want to explore what Canada offers.
#10 - Home to one of Canada’s first streetcar
First constructed in 1911 through the neighborhood of Cathedral, the streetcar expanded into a railroad and was the go-to transport method for thousands of residents during the early 20th century. Although it was discontinued 39 years later, once cars and other types of public transport became a more economical alternative, it paved the way for many other cities in Canada to follow suit at the time.
Last Word
Regina boasts many more facts and places of interest. If you’re looking for somewhere to visit that offers something slightly different from the predictable Canadian tourist destinations, then Regina might be up your street. It offers a quintessential Canadian experience filled with classic architecture and beautiful, sprawling parks, one of which we discussed today. Hopefully, we’ve added a bit of knowledge and intrigue to your day, and have given you a few facts you can talk to your friends about.