Bell Canada is embarking on a significant venture to establish an AI data center campus near Regina. This initiative, revealed in documents submitted to the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, involves rezoning a 160-acre parcel of land from agricultural use to accommodate the construction of an artificial intelligence facility.
Details of the Proposed AI Data Center Campus
The rezoning application indicates that a comprehensive design for the data center campus has yet to be submitted. However, before any construction can commence, a detailed design must be approved by the municipality.
Although the application was initiated by a numbered company, it is clear from accompanying letters that this project aligns with Bell’s AI Fabric initiative first announced in 2025. This initiative plans to develop six AI facilities across Canada, including British Columbia.
Project Features and Community Impact
- Critical digital infrastructure for research and provincial AI initiatives.
- Creation of high-skilled construction jobs and permanent technical positions.
- A proposed 300-plus parking stall capacity, indicating a large workforce.
- Inclusion of a SaskPower substation to meet energy needs.
- Multiple interconnected low-rise data center buildings.
The project is set to be executed in multiple phases, with the first phase planning an 8,500-square-meter building, expected to commence in 2026. Additionally, a potential partnership with the University of Regina aims at developing sustainable greenhouses that utilize heat from the data centers, highlighting a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Community stakeholders, including the City of Regina, have shown support. The city waived the requirement for a secondary plan in light of the proposal, signaling confidence in the project’s potential. The Water Security Agency, SaskTel, and the Ministry of Highways raised no objections to the rezoning, further facilitating the approval process.
Endorsements from Educational Institutions
Dan MacKay, provost of Saskatchewan Polytechnic, expressed support in a letter detailing the project’s significance for Saskatchewan. The institution is currently negotiating a memorandum of understanding with Bell Canada. Meanwhile, Chris Yost, vice-president of research at the University of Regina, highlighted in his endorsement the data center’s potential to foster research, education, and commercialization efforts.
In summary, the proposed AI data center campus by Bell Canada represents a promising development for the Regina area, with a focus on technological advancement and community collaboration.
