Latest news with #ShaunSemple
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Saskatchewan-based Brandt secures dealer contract in Australia
Brandt is a Regina-based company and the largest John Deere industrial and forestry equipment dealer in North America (Wayne Mantyka/CTV Regina) Regina-headquartered Brandt has been appointed to serve as the new Deere Construction and Forestry dealer in three Australian states. Beginning Aug. 1, the company will assume dealer responsibilities in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Brandt began with a single John Deere construction dealership in 1992 – and now boasts the largest John Deere dealer group in the world – with 56 stores in Canada and 13 stores supporting the north island of New Zealand. 'We know that customers across these states demand a high level of service from their equipment dealers, and we're ready to invest in our operations to meet those needs,' Brandt CEO and owner Shaun Semple said in the company's announcement. The company first entered the Australian market in 2021 – and has invested in the local networks of agriculture, golf and compact construction equipment dealerships. 'We are excited to get to know the hard-working contractors across the area,' Semple added. 'As we hear your needs, we will work hard and invest in our operations so we can earn your business for many years to come.'
CBC
27-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Regina Red Sox-commissioned study urges P3 model for potential new stadium in The Yards
Alexander Quon Proposed facility would built in phases with field, seating and essential infrastructure costing $15 million A study commissioned by the Western Canadian Baseball League's Regina Red Sox endorses a plan to build a new baseball stadium using a private-public partnership (P3), as proposed by influential businessman and soon-to-be-team-owner Shaun Semple. P3s are partnerships between government and private business to build public infrastructure. The feasibility study, carried out by DCG Philanthropic and partially financed by the City of Regina, recommends the new stadium be constructed at The Yards, a piece of land located downtown between Casino Regina and Dewdney Avenue. The proposed facility would be built in phases, with the field, seating and essential infrastructure coming first and costing $15 million. Future phases — expanding the facility to include enhanced training areas, concessions and community gathering spaces — would raise the total cost to $30 million. The study says a P3 would provide benefits such as a reduction in direct costs for the City of Regina, a sped-up timeline for construction and no taxpayer also says a traditional fundraising campaign could contribute $4 million to $8 million to the effort. Stakeholders interviewed as part of the study spoke about the potential to transform the Railyards area. "It is viewed as a potential catalyst for downtown revitalization, youth retention, tourism growth, and civic pride," the study concludes. Mayor Chad Bachynski spoke with CBC's The Morning Edition about the proposal on Thursday. He agreed that the project could potentially be a game-changer for the Warehouse district along Dewdney Avenue, but said he needs more details. "From my perspective, I want to make sure that the city is doing its part to make sure that we understand who all is interested in different areas in the city that would bring more vibrancy and opportunity," he said. Bachynski stressed that he views core infrastructure as the priority for the city. He said that while private funding can be a good thing, the city must carefully weigh all of the consequences — such as potential operating costs — before moving forward. "If someone's willing to invest, we want to hear that. We want to make sure we're seeing if there is a possibility to add another vibrant attraction to the city," Bachynski said. The Regina Red Sox currently play at Currie Field, a stadium that is more than 60 years old and in need of repairs. The sale of the Red Sox to the Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group was approved by the Western Canadian Baseball League this week. The group, which is fronted by Semple, also owns the local WHL hockey team the Regina Pats. Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group will take 100 per cent ownership of the Regina Red Sox on Oct. 1, 2025, at the end of the current season, and turn it into a private, for-profit business.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Queen City Sports & Entertainment Group to take full ownership of Regina Red Sox
Queen City Sports & Entertainment Group has acquired full ownership of the Regina Red Sox with the deal expected to close Oct. 1. (DonovanMaess/CTVNews) The Regina Red Sox will soon have new owners in the Queen City Sports & Entertainment Group (QCSEG). On Friday morning it was announced that Regina's WCBL team will be fully owned by the subsidiary of the Brandt Group of Companies, with the deal expected to close Oct. 1. 'The Red Sox have been an important part of our hometown's sports scene for over 100 years. Making this vote of confidence in their future success was an absolute must-do for us and is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class sports and entertainment experiences for the people of Regina,' CEO of QCSEG Shaun Semple said in a news release. Red Sox president Gary Brotzel said having QCSEG take over ownership is a big positive for the organization. 'This announcement is a huge shot in the arm for the Red Sox,' Brotzel said in the release. 'It ensures our long-term viability here in Regina and means that we can focus 100 per cent on entertaining fans and adding to our championship legacy.' Semple says QCSEG is looking forward to finding new ways to grow the Red Sox's fan base and bring exciting entertainment options to fans across Regina. With the acquisition, the Red Sox join a growing group of other local sports organizations owned by QCSEG, that has included the Regina Pats. The Red Sox were founded in Regina in 1913 and are Canada's oldest baseball franchise. The team has won six Southern Baseball League championships, two Saskatchewan Major Baseball League championships and two titles in the Western Canadian Baseball League, where they currently compete. More to come…
CBC
04-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
'It's not a favour': Shaun Semple gets 90-year lease at REAL for sports bar, music venue
Social Sharing One of Saskatchewan's most well-known businessmen now has a 90-year lease at Regina's exhibition grounds and a plan to build a "premium sports bar." The deal between Shaun Semple, owner and CEO of the Brandt group of companies, and Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) was approved by city council in an 8-3 vote Tuesday. 102207241 Saskatchewan Ltd., a numbered company owned by Semple, will take over the lease of YQR Distillery Ltd., which has failed to pay REAL approximately $500,000 in rent over the past six months. Jamie Boldt, chair of the REAL board of directors, portrayed the deal as a simple choice between putting REAL onto the path of profitability or having the 42,000-square-foot building tied up in eviction litigation for an undetermined amount of time. "It's an anchor and a real opportunity that we are excited about and it is not a favour," Boldt told council. "We've done our due diligence. We've done all of the things that that needed to be done." 'We don't have to settle' Councillors, including Ward 5 Coun. Sarah Turnbull, raised concerns about the proposed length of the 90-year lease. It was repeatedly pointed out that the lease would exist long after everyone involved in the debate was dead. The lease had to be approved by council because it runs longer than the lease REAL has with the City of Regina for its entire campus. There was also concern about the lack of details provided to city administration, a lack of a publicly available business case for the proposed bar and music venue, and the rush to get this deal across the line with minimal scrutiny. "We've never put this building out for tender. We've never asked anyone else who's doing it. And we don't have to settle. We just don't," Turnbull said. Turnbull unsuccessfully moved for amendments that would limit the length of the lease, increase the rate per square feet and cap the amount of money REAL could contribute to the project. The contract was approved only after council attempted to negotiate the terms of the lease deal with Semple over the phone as the businessman's private plane landed in Ottawa. Semple rejected any change to the terms of the lease he had negotiated with REAL in good faith. "We came to a conclusion of what we could agree on and, you know, what you're proposing is a complete revamp of the agreement. I have no interest in it," Semple said. Each of the proposed amendments were defeated. Only Coun. Turnbull, Ward 7 Coun. Shobna Radons and Ward 3 Coun. David Froh voted against approving the contract. Mayor Chad Bachynski told media he believed it was important to put trust in the new REAL board, which had been directed to make REAL commercially viable after it repeatedly came to council for millions in funding to stay afloat. "Based on what I heard from the experts who are negotiating that deal on the REAL board, I think this is a a good deal moving forward for Regina," Bachynski said. Ownership It emerged during debate that YQR Distillery had done very little work to turn the space into a functional distillery since it signed a lease agreement with REAL in 2021. REAL officials described the space as functioning as a warehouse for wholesale liquor sales. It's not clear why the YQR Distillery has not upgraded the building or why the company had failed to pay the nearly $500,000 it owes in rent over the past six months. The distillery's two shareholders Z Group Holding Ltd. and Sperling Silver Distilleries, which is owned by Adam Sperling, are locked in an ongoing legal dispute. According to the corporate records, Sperling was removed as the director of 102207241 Saskatchewan Ltd., Semple's company, on Feb. 26, 2025. Semple was added as a director for the numbered company on the same date. The plan Semple's vision for the space includes a 200-seat restaurant and bar, an expansion of the Regina Pats store and a 500-capacity music venue that Semple envisions as Saskatchewan's version of the House of Blues. "It will be a destination before and after the Pats and Rider Games, concerts and every other type of event that REAL produces. It will provide a performance home for local artists to gain exposure," Semple told council. The Brandt CEO said that once it is fully operational, it will create more than 100 new jobs with the possibility of as many as 200. To make it become reality, Semple plans to spend at least $12 million to upgrade the space. The lease will also prohibit any other new sports bars or pubs from opening at REAL, and no other company will be able to offer wholesale and distribution of alcoholic beverages. In exchange, Semple will pay $21 million in rent over the initial 50-year term of the lease, with the ability to extend the deal through two 20-year options. He will not pay back the $500,000 in rent owed by YQR Distilleries. Boldt described the venue as a "catalyst project" for the REAL campus. "It also shows that we are going to be around, that REAL is going to exist, and that we need other things to happen at the district," Boldt said. The goal is to have the space at least partially open by September, Boldt said. Layoffs at REAL confirmed Boldt also confirmed that seven people were laid off as REAL tries become more financially responsible. All seven, which Boldt described as being in senior leadership or management positions, were dismissed on Monday. "The positions have been eliminated and there's a total [organizational] restructure," Boldt said.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Regina city council to decide the future of REAL district facility at special meeting
Regina city council will host a special meeting to discuss the future of a facility formerly rented out to YQR Distillery at the REAL District. The former Agribition Building was first leased out to YQR Distillery in 2021. The 40,000 square foot facility was due to be completed in June of 2022. However, large delays in construction and obtaining permits, along with complications due to the pandemic meant the liquor and drive thru did not open for business until February of 2024. The Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) has informed YQR Distillery that its lease is now in default over unpaid rent – and it considers the tenancy going forward to be 'conditional.' In a new proposed lease, the tenancy would go to a numbered corporation. However, no information is available on what the space would become under new ownership. A corporate registry search shows that the numbered corporation's sole director and officer is Shaun Semple. Semple is the president of Brandt Industries as well as the owner of the Regina Pats. If approved by city council at the special meeting on Tuesday – the new lease would go into effect no later than the end of the month.
