Regina | New Mosaic Stadium

[Azraeyl]

I believe the only building that was actually being used for trade show booths/displays was the Jubilee building. The one beside it was maybe being used for storage, not too sure. Not sure how busy the indoor skate park was but there were usually some cars parked in front when I was playing indoor soccer at the EventPlex.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by wacko

My guess is the Roughriders would ask the CFL to have them play an away game during the Regina Ex. Or possibly the Ex could be moved to the Roughriders' off-week (which is usually in late August).

The Farm Progress Show and Agribition could also potentially impact Roughrider preseason and playoff games.

And to answer brithgob's question: no, all indoor soccer games are now played in the Eventplex.

The exhibition fencing no longer includes the area by those buildings; it starts closer to the Brandt Centre/Queensbury Convention Centre. So other than possibly parking issues (which would be present even if the stadium remains in its current location) there would be no difference.

Same would go for agribition and western progress show. These events could always occur at the same time as a game as it is, so again, not much different. The agribition, progress show, and exhibition will be affected more than a Rider game because the stadium is taking away parking area.

[Devon]

Originally Posted by Azraeyl

I believe the only building that was actually being used for trade show booths/displays was the Jubilee building. The one beside it was maybe being used for storage, not too sure. Not sure how busy the indoor skate park was but there were usually some cars parked in front when I was playing indoor soccer at the EventPlex.

I haven't been in a couple of years but it is generally pretty busy in the winter, as it's literally the only option for such activities. I believe it is used for the exhibition as well as every summer they are forced to move the ramps out of the building. Sorry to keep straying from the stadium here, but it baffles me that there isn`t more funding for this type of thing. Saskatoon hasn`t had a civic funded indoor skatepark in what must be 15 years, and we all know how many months fall into typical Saskatchewan winters. Done on the skatepark talk, I know how people get over stray conversations around here.

[Azraeyl]

With the six hockey rinks, EventPlex and Pats games, that area can get pretty congested for parking. I apologize if I am not up to snuff on the plans but are there plans for other developments around the stadium like a parkade?

[Azraeyl]

Originally Posted by Devon

I haven't been in a couple of years but it is generally pretty busy in the winter, as it's literally the only option for such activities. I believe it is used for the exhibition as well as every summer they are forced to move the ramps out of the building. Sorry to keep straying from the stadium here, but it baffles me that there isn`t more funding for this type of thing. Saskatoon hasn`t had a civic funded indoor skatepark in what must be 15 years, and we all know how many months fall into typical Saskatchewan winters. Done on the skatepark talk, I know how people get over stray conversations around here.

No problem, I like to wander sometimes as well.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Azraeyl

With the six hockey rinks, EventPlex and Pats games, that area can get pretty congested for parking. I apologize if I am not up to snuff on the plans but are there plans for other developments around the stadium like a parkade?

I don't think there have been any plans for anything of the sort, but I definitely think a good 3-4 storey parade on the area between the new stadium and the army barracks would work wonders. They just need to make sure it's strong enough to support heavy vehicles and the turning sections are planned well enough to allow decent manoeuvring, as I'm sure some farmers will want to park their giant trucks in there during agribition.

[Twrlvr]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I don't think there have been any plans for anything of the sort, but I definitely think a good 3-4 storey parade on the area between the new stadium and the army barracks would work wonders. They just need to make sure it's strong enough to support heavy vehicles and the turning sections are planned well enough to allow decent manoeuvring, as I'm sure some farmers will want to park their giant trucks in there during agribition.

I agree it would be nice, but I think the chances are somewhere on the south side of slim and none. Also, I sure wouldn't want to be stuck on the top level after the game. (An hour minimum to get out) A far cheaper option might be a giant "buses only" parking area. Then, provide an expanded park & ride service to go with it. More pick up points and way more buses. If Regina Transit hasn't got enough to spare, maybe a team effort with First Bus or whatever. It would greatly reduce congestion, and if it was appealing ie: faster and less stress than walking a mile or fighting your way in and out of the area, people would use it. The good news would be, if that whole idea flopped, all that's needed would be new signs for the parking lot.

[Azraeyl]

I agree, having taken the bus to games in the past has been fantastic. It was fast, easy and convenient for $2 one way. Having more people take the bus to games would help with the parking and congestion issues that the stadium would bring in its relocation.

[Devon]

Let the debate begin.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2013/01/30/sports-arenas-stadiums-cost.html

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Devon

Let the debate begin.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2013/01/30/sports-arenas-stadiums-cost.html

Meh, the alternative is to not have a team, not have the national attention the team provides through TV coverage, and basically lose part of the soul of our province. Plus, we're basically building middle ground, not something costing anywhere near the Big Owe. And in our case, the franchise owner is the community since all money flows back into the team and community events. The Thunder, Hilltops, Huskies, and Rams all get money from the Riders, as do minor football programs. For us, it's worth the cost I think.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Devon

Let the debate begin.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2013/01/30/sports-arenas-stadiums-cost.html

That's pretty funny, an article saying that stadiums are a waste of tax payer dollars from the government funded CBC. Lol.

[TechnicalRecession]

Originally Posted by Twrlvr

I agree it would be nice, but I think the chances are somewhere on the south side of slim and none. Also, I sure wouldn't want to be stuck on the top level after the game. (An hour minimum to get out) A far cheaper option might be a giant "buses only" parking area. Then, provide an expanded park & ride service to go with it. More pick up points and way more buses. If Regina Transit hasn't got enough to spare, maybe a team effort with First Bus or whatever. It would greatly reduce congestion, and if it was appealing ie: faster and less stress than walking a mile or fighting your way in and out of the area, people would use it. The good news would be, if that whole idea flopped, all that's needed would be new signs for the parking lot.

I think the problem with parkages is that they don't make money, so that eliminates the private industry coming in and building them. When was the last time you saw a parkage go up in downtown? That leaves the government to build them and that won't happen either. Maybe they could create commuter trains to the stadium using the existing rail lines. Highly unlikely to happen but would be cool!

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by TechnicalRecession

I think the problem with parkages is that they don't make money, so that eliminates the private industry coming in and building them. When was the last time you saw a parkage go up in downtown? That leaves the government to build them and that won't happen either. Maybe they could create commuter trains to the stadium using the existing rail lines. Highly unlikely to happen but would be cool!

There's one going up behind the legion facade in the very near future.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Migs

That's pretty funny, an article saying that stadiums are a waste of tax payer dollars from the government funded CBC. Lol.

At least the CBC actually puts a bit of effort into producing Canadian content, something CTV and Global only rarely did until the writer's strike in the states forced them to look into creating some. I don't like everything the CBC has done, but they do more for promoting Canadian culture and entertainment than CTV or Global do, who are lazy and for years just licensed American programming because its easier and cheaper. Yet we see that if done well, it can be an amazing success (Corner Gas).

In fact, the Americans are actually the outlier in not having a government funded channel. Our closest other peers, the UK and Australia, both do.

I just find the under appreciation of the CBC lines up pretty closely to the under appreciation of the CFL.

/end off-topic rant

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Nathan

At least the CBC actually puts a bit of effort into producing Canadian content, something CTV and Global only rarely did until the writer's strike in the states forced them to look into creating some. I don't like everything the CBC has done, but they do more for promoting Canadian culture and entertainment than CTV or Global do, who are lazy and for years just licensed American programming because its easier and cheaper. Yet we see that if done well, it can be an amazing success (Corner Gas).

In fact, the Americans are actually the outlier in not having a government funded channel. Our closest other peers, the UK and Australia, both do.

I just find the under appreciation of the CBC lines up pretty closely to the under appreciation of the CFL.

/end off-topic rant

My point was the irony, many naysayers say it's ok for the govt to be in the entertainment business but not be in the sporting business. (Ie stadiums).

Can't wait to get shovels in the ground!

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Migs

My point was the irony, many naysayers say it's ok for the govt to be in the entertainment business but not be in the sporting business. (Ie stadiums).

Can't wait to get shovels in the ground!

Fair enough; I will agree that most of the hard-line naysayers are pro-CBC and such.

I'm at least happy to know that they plan on doing a tonne of site prep this year while they continue to figure out the details/final plan; there will be a running start for construction in 2014.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by Migs

My point was the irony, many naysayers say it's ok for the govt to be in the entertainment business but not be in the sporting business. (Ie stadiums).

Can't wait to get shovels in the ground!

Plenty of irony to go around when it comes to sports and sports facilities. E.g. Those who oppose government spending on anything that isn't a core service, but gladly support a huge government investment in a new stadium; those who oppose government subsidies to "special interest groups", but would gladly see a subsidy go to their team in lean years... This happens everywhere.

[Azraeyl]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

That is the first time I have heard the word "parkage".

A victim of autocorrect. I was fighting with it changing parkade to parkage in my previous post.

[wacko]

I do hope they get most of the site preparation done this year. This stadium seems like it will be somewhat more complex than Winnipeg's, and goodness knows they had delays. Is three years sufficient time to build the stadium and complete all interior work? Perhaps the city should get ahead of the ball and announce the stadium for 2018, and consider it a bonus if it opens earlier.

Also, yes, parking was my main concern with having Rider games in conjunction with other events. Perhaps Rider fans will have to get used to not driving directly to games, but instead taking the bus from park-and-ride locations. A bit of a hassle if you're hauling coats, blankets, seat cushions, etc.

[osmo]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Meh, the alternative is to not have a team, not have the national attention the team provides through TV coverage, and basically lose part of the soul of our province. Plus, we're basically building middle ground, not something costing anywhere near the Big Owe. And in our case, the franchise owner is the community since all money flows back into the team and community events. The Thunder, Hilltops, Huskies, and Rams all get money from the Riders, as do minor football programs. For us, it's worth the cost I think.

You wouldn't actually think the Riders would leave Sask?

It would never happen.

I am in support of the Stadium as is but I am well versed in this area. Regina taxpayers will get raped so might as well be disclosed to the numbers and have a honest dialogue about it. But Regina Taxpayers can blame the Province for handling it poorly and then dumping it on the City which has barley a 3rd of the resources to handle a project of this scope. You can still support the Riders and this Stadium but still be critical of the project. You will be raped at the Box office and via taxes for this project as this story has been told in many other Cities with the same result.

The Riders are non-profit but lets not get carried away and try to assume they are a publicly owned company whom gives out dividends or some sort. The good faith payments to minor ball is expected and warranted but lets not assume either that these are wide scope benefits. This isn't building Highways or funding Hospitals like a Crown is, nor is it a public service that offers benefits to all with equal access like a municipal Library or pool. The Riders are non-profit with open books. I don't like how people try to claim that the Rider are some public good, they are a corporation/business like anything other and the argument against paying for their profit generator (A stadium) is valid. If I want to fix cars and open a Auto Shop should taxpayers build me a garage? Its the exact same thing, anybody can have the choice of getting their car fixed by me for a price if they choose to, but everybody would have to foot the bill for the Garage/shop.

These Sports Stadiums are a bad deal for taxpayers so the best option should be taking with open books and dialogue on the subject. The biggest plus of this current facility is that it will loose less money the the dome would have - that's the best you can ask for really...