Federal, provincial and municipal politicians were at the Regina airport Friday, talking about what could be a huge makeover for the city.

They unveiled a plan that involves moving the downtown railyards out of the city to create a transportation hub and free up some valuable real estate for developers.

The new location for the railyards would be somewhere west of the city.
The hub would be connected to major highways, the airport and the rail lines.

The cost is estimated to be around $93 million.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said his government would pledge up to $27 million.

Saskatchewan Highways Minister Wayne Elhard didn't pledge any money and couldn't say where the proposed new facility would be.

"I think it's a matter of being cautious about [land] speculation," he said.

"I think that's always a concern when these kinds of projects are talked about."

The politicians were also short on such details as how the facility would look and who's paying for what.

New Democrat MLA Deb Higgins questioned why the announcement was being made Friday.

"No land has been purchased. I'm told a lot of the detailed analysis hasn't been done," she said. "My question is, why the announcement today when so many questions are left outstanding?"

Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco admits the announcement was light on details, but he says it's a first step.

Fiacco says construction could start next fall. He expects the project will take three to four years to build.

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