Question to Saskatoon folks....(re. Stadium)

Migs · #1 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 6:16 AM**

With all the news these days about a new stadium/entertainment complex being built in Regina for the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders (as well as many other things), I am curious if the good people of Saskatoon support such a project. Both Regina's mayor and the Premier of Saskatchewan are on record saying they support such a project in that our current stadium is getting to old and run down, and that an announcement is forthcoming after they receive the results of a study. Rumours are that there is some complaining going on from some folks up in Saskatoon about this project and I really hope that isn't the case. We gotta spread the pie around, recently Saskatoon received $200mil for a Childrens Hospital, millions for a new bridge, and is about to receive millions for the new Mendal Art Gallery. Now I doubt you'll hear any complaining from folks in Regina about these huge projects and I truly hope we'll get 100% support from the folks in Saskatoon for a new home for our football team and a new entertainment facility for our Province.

Cheers!

http://communities.canada.com/regina...n-gormley.aspx

(photo credit Jeremy from RF.com)

1ajs · #2 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:05 AM**

why not build 2 stadiums one in regina and one in sasktoon then bothe cities can share the team as it is known as the sasksatchwan ruffriders

Migs · #3 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

why not build 2 stadiums one in regina and one in sasktoon then bothe cities can share the team as it is known as the sasksatchwan ruffriders

As it stands right now, there isn't the population in this province that could support 2 CFL sized stadiums, and the last time I checked, UofS has one of the nicest new CIS football stadiums in the country.

1ajs · #4 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:34 AM**

o well then share the team between the 2 stadiums?

Ruckus · #5 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:37 AM**

I am all for a new stadium/entertainment complex in Regina. Though I'm not entirely sure where the funding will come from, and in what form.

The stadium itself is quite exciting, but for me, the integration with downtown and surrounding neighborhoods is even more exciting...something that has yet to happen in Saskatchewan.

Ruckus · #6 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

o well then share the team between the 2 stadiums?

That's not good for anyone, is it?

1ajs · #7 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:42 AM**

huh?

Ruckus · #8 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

huh?

No disrespect towards SK, but two (likely expensive) stadiums sharing one CFL team ---> debt, bankruptcy, bailouts, etc...

Saskatoon does not have a CFL worthy field/stadium, and construction could not hinge on a shared agreement of the Riders (what a mess that would be /cynicism).

Migs · #9 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 8:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruckus

I am all for a new stadium/entertainment complex in Regina. Though I'm not entirely sure where the funding will come from, and in what form.

Sounds like Premier Wall wants SGC to be involved in some way. Perhaps attaching the stadium to the Casino and adding a hotel complex (rumour is that Hilton Hotels is very interested). Lots going on behind the scenes and you just know that Wall and Fiacco wouldn't be saying what they are saying if this whole project isn't likely.

Ruckus · #10 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 8:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Migs

Sounds like Premier Wall wants SIGA to be involved in some way. Perhaps attaching the stadium to the Casino and adding a hotel complex (rumour is that Hilton Hotels is very interested). Lots going on behind the scenes and you just know that Wall and Fiacco wouldn't be saying what they are saying if this whole project isn't likely.

Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Association? Do they operate Casino Regina?

Migs · #11 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 8:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruckus

Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Association? Do they operate Casino Regina?

Sorry I meant SGC (and SLGA), and yes I believe they run Casino Regina.

http://www.gov.sk.ca/SGC/

Ruckus · #12 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 8:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Migs

Sorry I meant SGC, and yes I believe they run Casino Regina.

http://www.gov.sk.ca/SGC/

Yeah, I recall reading a newspaper article that mentioned the use of crown corporations to help fund/operate the stadium, makes sense I suppose.

Although I find the use of the crowns very intriguing. The political/public policy impacts could be widespread, or perhaps I am looking too deep into such things.

Echoes · #13 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 1:09 PM**

No objections here

(I've personally heard more complaining about the new art gallery here in Saskatoon than a new stadium in Regina!)

swilley · #14 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 3:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Migs

Now I doubt you'll hear any complaining from folks in Regina about these huge projects

Ha ha, wishful thinking. As there are folks here that will complain if the new stadium goes through, I can guarantee there are some Regina people complaining about the government funded projects in Saskatoon.

Personally, I hope this gets done for the province, and I hope you guys can do it right. Don't cheep out like we always seem to do up here....

dsim249 · #15 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 6:03 PM**

I'd just like to add, that similarly to the new Roughrider stadium (which I am thrilled about.), the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Children's Hospital are obviously being created to benefit people from all over the province. I don't think there should be any whining or complaining in regards to the new stadium or these two major projects from either city. Ultimately, they will all make our province a better place to be as a whole.

Migs · #16 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsim249

I'd just like to add, that similarly to the new Roughrider stadium (which I am thrilled about.), the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Children's Hospital are obviously being created to benefit people from all over the province. I don't think there should be any whining or complaining in regards to the new stadium or these two major projects from either city. Ultimately, they will all make our province a better place to be as a whole.

I agree 100%!

Migs · #17 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by swilley

Ha ha, wishful thinking. As there are folks here that will complain if the new stadium goes through, I can guarantee there are some Regina people complaining about the government funded projects in Saskatoon.

Your probably right but I have yet to hear any negative comments at all here in Regina about either the Childrens hospital, the new bridge, or the Art Gallery.

Quote:

Personally, I hope this gets done for the province, and I hope you guys can do it right. Don't cheep out like we always seem to do up here....

By the sounds of it, both Wall and Fiacco want this stadium to be the envy of the country.

Echoes · #18 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:16 PM**

Surely the provincial government pumped money into Saskatchewan Place when it was built in Saskatoon in the 1980s? Was there any conflict then along the lines of "Why is Saskatoon getting this and not Regina?" (I personally don't know... I wasn't alive

)

socialisthorde · #19 Posted **Apr 21, 2009, 7:18 PM**

Not to be a carmudgeon and I am not going to be a vocal "complainer" but I am not a big fan of the idea. I would not likely be a fan, even if I lived in Regina, because I feel like professional sports is just that a profession - a way for people to make money. Just as I have some qualms about the Mendel being built if it requires an admission fee.

I think that any service provided by government should be based on need or if it is a luxury then as much as possible it should provide equal access. I see the current Mendel as perfectly fullfilling these criteria. Some would argue that art is a need, but even if you don't buy that argument, at least everyone has access to it (it is free). If a fee is charged, particularly the level of fees required to get a seat at a professional sporting event, then it is not equal access and some of the people who paid for it (ie. citizens) have very limited, if any access.

When government builds a faccility and then allows someone to make a profit from that faccility I see it as problematic, particularly when the governement claims to uphold "free enterprise" ideals. However, as I said, my feelings on this are not so strong that I will be one raising a big fuss, I just wanted to make those points.

thegreattait · #20 Posted **Apr 22, 2009, 1:00 AM**

Aren't the roughriders a community owned team? It's not like profits generated will be going to some millionaire business person, if you have a problem with that.

The government is providing taxpayer funding to augment the opportunities for its citizens to view something which a large number of the public desires. If you wanted equal access, then taxes could be raised and games could be free to view and tickets could be handed out at random to those who wish to attend. However there is no political will for this sort of thing, as we do not live in a communist country. Also because we do not have this type of system, those who do not enjoy that particular activity aren't forced to pay for 100% of something they will not use of enjoy. Instead they are only forced to pay for a small portion of that activity, just as I am forced to pay for a small portion of their activity that they may enjoy and that I may not.

Lower income brackets do not pay enough to cover the services that they reap from the system, and I am fine with that. I am happy to have my tax dollars go towards helping others in society. However I also don't have a problem with those tax dollars going to support an event which I enjoy. (or other similar types of activities that I have the opportunity to enjoy eg. art)

There is equal opportunity and equal outcome. Most people in our society have had equal opportunity to succeed and thus have the ability to enjoy other aspects of life such as art and sports and their viewing. Unless society decides that things such as attending sporting events or art museums are essential to life in our society then we will not have 100% funding, while at the same time until society decides that things such as art or sports are completely irrelevant and should play no role in our society then we will have some level of funding.

Until either of those days comes I am happy having my tax dollars go towards support both the arts and the sports, and if I as a tax paying citizen feel that one activity needs more funding then it is my responsibility to do all that is possible through our democratically elected system to make that happen.

I.e. I feel some votes on the way for Fiacco and Wall if they can make this happen.