The University of Regina says they’re excited to be hosting Western Hockey League teams during the shortened bubble season set to begin in 11 days.

Five of the seven teams in the WHL’s East Division will be staying in U of R residence, with the remaining teams staying in residence at Luther College at the University of Regina.

University spokesperson Paul Dederick says they are making the residences as safe as possible.

“They will each have their own floor and gathering places and meeting rooms to reduce any risk of exposure,” said Dederick. “So, the only time the players are going to be common areas of the campus is when they need to walk to eat, or to a team meeting, or as they come and go from the hockey venue. They won’t be roaming freely about the campus.”

Dederick says with only 250 students staying on campus out of a possible 1,700, it was an easy decision to host teams.

“We have the space, we’re able to separate our student residents from the WHL personnel and players,” said Dederick. “We have plenty of room to keep them apart, and it worked out well since we had that capacity.”

Dederick says it will present the U of R the chance to earn some revenue that they otherwise would be missing out on due to the pandemic.

“We welcome the opportunity to recoup, at least, a small portion of the revenue that we haven’t had an opportunity due to a fewer number of international students that we have, and the fewer number of students that we do have staying in residence.”

Teams in Regina’s WHL hub will begin play on March 12.