Construction is underway on Bell Canada's new facility near Regina, projected to become the nation's largest domestically owned data centre, pictured on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeremy Simes)
Bell Canada and Saskatchewan government officials marked a construction milestone at the Bell AI Fabric Data Centre in Sherwood, with structural steel rising across all four buildings in the facility's first phase, according to BNN Bloomberg. More than 500 people are currently working the site, with the majority drawn from Saskatchewan, alongside more than 30 contractors, consultants, suppliers, and Indigenous partners. The first data hall is expected to become operational in the first half of 2027.
Bell paired the update with a $1 million investment to support mental health in the province. John Watson, group president of Bell Cyber and AI Fabric, joined Crown Investments Minister Jeremy Harrison and other officials at the site for the announcement.
This single facility is part of a much larger buildout. CEO Mirko Bibic said in September that Bell AI Fabric's full national plan could exceed $50 billion in capital investment and economic activity. The Sherwood site itself is expanding from its original 300 megawatts to 1.2 gigawatts, partly powered by a natural gas plant Bell is building and funding itself, according to Bell's own project page.
The project has not proceeded without friction. Protests and online petitions have circulated since February calling for the data centre to be paused, and the lead construction contractor's mandate specifically includes a focus on local and Indigenous workforce participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Bell's Sherwood AI data centre become operational?
The first data hall is expected to become operational in the first half of 2027, with structural steel currently rising across all four buildings in the facility's first phase.
How big is Bell's Sherwood data centre project?
Originally planned at 300 megawatts, Bell announced in September it's expanding the facility to 1.2 gigawatts, partly powered by a company-funded natural gas plant.
Has the project faced local opposition?
Yes. Protests and online petitions have circulated since February calling for the project to be paused.