World · North America · 1 hr ago
Regina clears Core Community Park encampment after fires raise safety concerns
Regina cleared an encampment at Core Community Park, also known as Pepsi Park, with police and fire crews removing tents and belongings.
Fire officials cited recent fires and a high-risk assessment as the reason for the operation.
About 150 people had lived at the site for three and a half months, and residents were not told in advance that it would be cleared.
Organizers said belongings left behind could include keepsakes and essential medication, such as insulin.
The operation surprised a city councillor and community organizers, despite Regina’s stated approach of focusing on care rather than enforced removals.
Those displaced now face uncertainty as colder weather arrives, while the mayor said the city had been working with the province on a space where people could get support.
The City of Regina dismantled the encampment at Core Community Park, also known as Pepsi Park, after fires and a high-risk assessment raised safety concerns.
Police and fire crews cleared the site while streets around the park were closed and the city began putting up a fence.
About 150 people had been living there for three and a half months, and residents were not given notice of the removal.
Community organizers and a city councillor said they were caught off guard and raised concerns about residents’ safety and missing belongings.
Mayor Chad Bachynski said the city had been working with the province to find a space where people could receive support.
- Who
- The City of Regina cleared the encampment. About 150 people had been living there.
- What
- The city dismantled the encampment after fire officials cited increased safety risks.
- When
- October 27, 2026. The fires had occurred in recent days, and a high-risk assessment was conducted over the weekend.
- Where
- Core Community Park, also known as Pepsi Park, in Regina.
- Why
- Fire officials cited an increase in fires and a high-risk assessment.
City of Regina and fire officials
Encampment residents and community organizers
Reason for removal
City of Regina and fire officials
Fire officials said recent fires and a high-risk assessment made the site a safety risk.
Encampment residents and community organizers
Organizers questioned the impact of the removal and raised concerns about residents’ safety and belongings.
Notice and support
City of Regina and fire officials
Mayor Chad Bachynski said the city had been working with the province to find a space where people could get support.
Encampment residents and community organizers
Residents were not given notice, and organizers said people’s belongings, including essential medication, could be lost.
About 150 people lived at the Core Community Park encampment.
A number of fires occurred at the site.
Fire officials conducted a high-risk assessment.
Police and fire crews cleared the encampment, and the city began erecting a fence around the property.
- Location
- Core Community Park, also known as Pepsi Park, Regina
- Residents
- About 150 people
- Time at site
- Three and a half months
- Assessment
- Fire officials conducted a high-risk assessment over the weekend
- City response strategy
- Regina city council approved changes in November, including the CARE Team and an approach focused on care rather than enforced removals
What people are saying
We were working with the province to try and open up some kind of space, whether it’s a triage space, a transitional space, something so they can get out of the encampment, out of the elements, and into somewhere where they can then navigate people on where they need to go
This problem just keeps getting worse and I know nobody wants to look at it, but it’s not going away
I had no idea this was happening until I found out as it had already started
My tent is gone. I didn’t even know this was happening at all