October 2, 2012

Regina unveils new concept drawing for proposed stadium

REGINA

The City of Regina has unveiled concept drawings of a proposed 33,000-seat stadium that would be home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team.

The design shows a sunken bowl-type stadium with 80 per cent of the seats along the sidelines. It also has what is described as a spectator roof, which would protect fans from the weather while still being an open air stadium.

Deputy city manager Brent Sjoberg says the concept gives people an idea about what can be done for $278 million.

The city still has to put out a request for proposals and builders may have other ideas for the final design.

The new stadium is to be built on Evraz Place lands, near where Mosaic Stadium now stands, and is expected to be ready in early 2017.

Mosaic Stadium, with its bench-style seating, is structurally sound but it is one of the oldest buildings in the Canadian Football League. It was originally built as a rugby field in 1910 and has been renovated numerous times over the years.

Under a memorandum of understanding announced in July, the money required for the stadium is to be funded through an $80 million grant from the province, along with $73 million from the city of Regina. The Roughriders will raise $25 million.

The province also will provide a $100-million loan to the city. It is to be repaid with interest over 30 years.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., 2012

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