Community Impact

PROFILE
Evraz Place is a 102-acre world-class event site situated in the heart of Regina, Saskatchewan – one of Canada’s most beautiful and dynamic cities.  It is one of the largest and most influential event complexes in the country and is a centre of excellence for entertainment, agri-business, sporting, recreational and cultural activities.  Evraz Place boasts over half a million square feet of indoor space and close to one million square feet of outdoor space.  It is a registered not-for-profit and receives no subsidization for operating expenses from the public sector.

A number of venues comprise the event site, among them the Brandt Centre – a 6000 seat concert and sporting facility that has recently undergone some upgrades and will be getting additional seating expansion and renovations in summer 2009; the Queensbury Convention Centre – an elegant convention and banquet facility with break-out meeting rooms and salons large enough to seat 1500; and the Credit Union EventPlex – a 95,000 square foot multi-use facility that boasts a regulation size soccer field and can be quickly converted into tradeshow space.

ECONOMIC IMPACT
Evraz Place is an economic engine that generates a $75 million impact annually on Regina and the surrounding area’s economy.  It supports over 3,100 jobs in the province and generates $50 million in labour income.  The event site impacts on a broad range of people with more than 70 percent of them coming from outside an 80km radius.  More than 1.5 million people pass through the gates of Evraz Place annually, taking in more than 1,000 events.  These events and activities also provide opportunities for local, regional and national media exposure.

DIVERSITY OF ACTIVITIES
Evraz Place produces and hosts the majority of Regina’s major events every year, including the Western Canada Farm Progress Show presented by Viterra, Buffalo Days – The Queen City Exhibition and Taste of  Spring.  It is home to the Royal Red Arabian Horse Show, Canadian Western Agribition, the WHL’s Regina Pats, Regina Soccer Association, Spring Home & Garden Show & Sale and First Nations University of Canada Pow Wow.  It has grown to become one of the most important concert venues in western Canada, showcasing the talents of such well-known performers as Elton John, Carrie Underwood, Iron Maiden, Brad Paisley, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow and Lenny Kravitz.  Other special events include Monster Truck Spectacular, FMX World Tour and Our Best To You Arts & Crafts Sale.

EMPLOYMENT
Evraz Place operates on annual budget of $20 million and employs approximately 140 full-time and more than 900 part-time staff.  Of that 900, there are 400 regular part-time staff and 500 event part-time staff.  Evraz Place recognizes that its ongoing success would not be possible without the support of hundreds of dedicated employees.  That’s why Evraz Place is committed to ongoing staff training, appreciation and professional development.  Staff appreciation events are held throughout the year and the launch of an exciting new employee referral program has been enthusiastically received by staff.  An employee assistance program provides counseling and assistance to Evraz Place employees and their families.

QUALITY OF LIFE
Since its early beginnings as an agricultural fair in the latter part of the nineteenth century, Evraz Place has emerged as a strong community leader.  It is dedicated to contributing to the economic well-being and enriching the quality of life for people in the community through the hosting and delivery of local, regional, national and international events.  Community programming provides world class facilities for community based recreation.

CORPORATE ROLE
Evraz Place works hard to ensure it gives back to the community that it serves.  Members of the management team sit on the Employer Sub-Committee of the North Central Employment Enhancement Program and, through this involvement, Evraz Place has provided term employment and skill development to at-risk youth from North Central Regina.  Many of these youth come from backgrounds involving poverty, unemployment, violence, alcohol and/or substance abuse.  In fact, Evraz Place is the largest employer in North Central.

Evraz Place staff partner with the City Police and Fire departments, Ranch Ehrlo, Herchmer/Wascana Community Schools, Regina and District Food Banks and the North Central Community Association.  In fact, since December 1990, Evraz Place and its employees have been Partners in Education with Herchmer Community School.  With the school’s closure in June 2008, a special commemorative event was held, recognizing the school’s important role in the development of the community.  The event also recognized the newly-formed partnership with students and staff at Wascana School.

In addition to supporting the community, Evraz Place is active at both the civic and provincial levels.  The President and CEO as well as the Board Chair both sit on the Mayor’s Task Force on the Future of Regina.

TOURISM
Evraz Place is an important anchor within the tourism industry - provincially, nationally and internationally. avvIt is one of the top tourist attractions in the province and brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

In recognition of the numerous spin-offs created by the tourism industry, management and staff at Evraz Place are committee to fostering and maintaining partnerships that work to strengthen the tourism network.  Members of the management team sit on the Board of Directors of Tourism Regina and the facilities are used by various Tourism Regina and Tourism Saskatchewan functions.  Evraz Place is also an active member of Tourism Regina, participating in many of their marketing programs.

Evraz Place representatives are also involved with other tourism organizations such as the Reginal Airport Authority, Tourism Saskatchewan, Tourism Regina Event Committee (TREC) and the Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP).  Management members have been key participants in major event bids and organizing committees have been successful in attracting events like the 2006 Tim Hortons Brier, 2007 Canadian Country Music Awards, 2008 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the upcoming 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships to Regina.