Regina annexation plan about control, council member says

Regina's plan to annex land from a surrounding rural municipality is one way to ensure control over the area, a council member says.

Wade Murray, who voted in favour of the plan during a meeting of Regina's executive committee Wednesday, said acquiring land from the RM of Sherwood would ensure his city can control development.

"The reality is just because it's annexed doesn't mean that it immediately has roads and streets and infrastructure and plumbing and water," Murray said. "It simply means that it's available to us and we can help control some of what's going to occur."

Regina's annexation goal was unveiled five days ago.

The deputy reeve of the RM called the move shocking, suggestingRegina had caught them by surprise.

Officials from the RM have scheduled a news conference Thursday to unveil details of their own plan for the community. They also said a major development would be announced Thursday.

Regina's plan to absorb areas into the city was met with at least one voice of approval.

The Rosewood Park Alliance Church, situated just outside of Regina, is keen to have its property inside the city limits.

"This isn't about politics for us," church pastor Jerven Weekes said Wednesday. "This is about providing a need for our community."

Weekes says the church hopes to launch housing projects which could help Regina.

The City of Regina says it needs land in the RM in order to meet its goal of having a population of 500,000.