New Community Centre & Masjid Update

Assalamu Alaikum

The Islamic Association of Saskatchewan, Regina Inc. (IAOS) would like to provide the Community with an update on the efforts to establish a new Community Centre & Masjid in Regina.

Current Situation

In January of 2019, the IAOS purchased land on 641 Victoria Avenue East to build a Community Centre & Masjid on. The land was purchased for $2.725 million. To build a Masjid on the land, it will cost approximately $7 – $10 million. The total cost of the land plus construction will be between $9.7 – $12.7 million. Construction could take several months to years. Also, as of today, we do not have City approval to build a community centre on 641 Vic Ave because a cannabis store is located nearby. The Muslim community in Regina has a vision to build a community center that would especially benefit our youth and children, and they have been donating for this cause for several years. IAOS needs to fulfill this commitment that was explicitly or implicitly made during past fundraisers.

New Opportunity

An opportunity has recently come to the attention of the IAOS. The old YMCA Building (previously the FutureShop, 1825 Vic Ave East) has been put on the market. The building has been empty for several months. The Building has been appraised at approximately $6.5M, and the Owner is motivated to sell to the IAOS and to work with us to achieve mutually beneficial terms and conditions. The land is 3.82 acres. There are two buildings on the land: (1) the old YMCA Building which is 18,000 sq/ft (built in 1999); and (2) a building used as an office by Jump.ca, which is 8,000 sq/ft.

The Jump.ca building is included in the $6.5M price tag. It generates rental revenue of $9,333.33 per month, which will be considered a Waqf for the Masjid. This rental revenue would go to the IAOS. The revenue would be used by the IAOS to cover the operating costs (utilities etc.) of the Community Centre & Masjid in the YMCA Building. The rental revenue from the Jump.ca office space will be enough to cover about up to 60%, of the operating costs of the Community Centre & Masjid (which is a benefit that does not exist with the 641 Vic Ave property). Also, the IAOS has the City’s approval to use the YMCA Building as both a Masjid and a Community Centre.

Summary of Options

Option 1 – 641 Victoria Ave E		Option 2 – YMCA, 1825 Victoria Ave E
Cost of Land alone:	$2.7M	Cost of Land and Building	$6.5M
Cost to Construct Masjid:	$7 – $10M	Cost to Construct Masjid:	$400,000 (estimate for renovations for wudu area and carpeting etc.)
Total Cost:	$9.7 – $12.7M	Total Cost:	$6.9M
Land Size:	2.48 acres	Land Size:	3.82 acres
Building Size:	Unknown	Building Size:	18,000 sq/ft
Time to Construct:	Unknown – Years? COVID risk? Increasing construction and lumber costs?	Time to Construct:	Weeks – Ready to Pray in with Minimal Work
City Approval for Community Centre?	No	City Approval for Community Centre?	Yes
Paved Parking?	No	Paved Parking?	Yes – 150+ parking spots
Income Generating?:	No	Income Generating?:	Yes – $9,333/month (5-year Lease)

Pictures and Video of the YMCA Building

Next Steps

Of the options available to us, the YMCA Building provides our Community with the quickest way to acquire a Community Centre & Masjid, and at the lowest cost. The 641 Victoria Ave land would be sold, as well as other property holdings of the IAOS. This will yield the IAOS approximately $3.4M in cash to buy the YMCA Building. We need an additional $3.1M to close the gap.

Please join us for the fundraiser on Saturday May 8, 2021, 9:15PM – 10:45PM. Zoom link found here.

Islamic Association of Saskatchewan Regina Inc.

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