Countdown to 2020
For better or for worse, 2019 is quickly coming to a close. From New Year’s Eve events to what’s open on New Year’s Day, Jennifer Ackerman takes a look at a few different ways you can welcome in 2020
There’s no shortage of events around the city. From a four-stop club crawl put on by Student Tours Canada to a Revenge of the ‘80s concert at Casino Regina to a trivia party at the Lancaster, Regina has you covered.
There are also a few family-friendly ways to celebrate, including the Lieutenant-governor’s New Year’s Day Levee at Government House from 1-4 p.m. There will be music, storybook princesses and children’s crafts. The event is free to attend.
Noon Year’s Eve is an annual, kid-friendly event at the Saskatchewan Science Centre. Held on Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event includes food, science and activities such as firework crafts, creating your own controller, making space soda, running your own robotic cars, testing out robot mice, VR tech and more.
WHAT’S OPEN ...
... around town on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
The Mackenzie Art Gallery is open from 12-4:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 and is closed on Jan. 1. Craft Services, the MAG Cafe, is closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1.
All Regina Public Library locations will be open until 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 and closed on Jan. 1.
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum will be open on Dec. 31 from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Jan. 1. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 or free for members.
If you’re looking to be transported away from the cold and into a tropical paradise, the Regina Royal Conservatory will be open on New Year’s Eve from 1-4 p.m. It will be closed on Jan. 1.
The RCMP Heritage Centre is closed for annual maintenance until Jan. 10.
All civic offices, the landfill and the Riverside Memorial Park and Regina Cemeteries office will be
closed on Jan. 1. The memorial park and cemeteries gates will be open as usual from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
FREE TRANSIT
Transit and paratransit services will be offered on New Year’s
Eve from 7 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. as part of the Wing in the New Year campaign aimed at preventing drinking and driving.
There will be no regular bus service on Jan. 1. The information centre and Rideline will also be closed. Paratransit service will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 1.
If you are driving, parking meters will not be in effect on Jan. 1.
COUNTERING THE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
If you’re looking for something active to do after indulging in all the food and treats Christmas has to offer, the city’s leisure centres will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
The North West Leisure Centre and the Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre will be open Dec. 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Jan. 1 from 12-6 p.m. The Regina Sportsplex (Fieldhouse and Lawson Aquatic Centre) will be open Dec. 31 from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
While the Victoria Park skating rink is never really closed, the Skate Shack — which offers free skate rentals — is only open on New Year’s Eve from 1-4 p.m. and is closed on Jan. 1.
All outdoor rinks that have opened so far this winter will remain open, but there will be no indoor skating on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1.
“Skaters are asked to use their judgment when using the outdoor rinks and not to skate on them if the surface is wet,” the City of Regina says on its website.