Executive committee pushes 2 sports related motions through to city council meeting

Regina’s executive committee discussed funding for Mosaic Stadium upgrades and a new lease with the Red Sox at Wednesday’s meeting. Jacob Carr has the details.

Executive committee members voted through two separate motions on Wednesday, to be further discussed at next week’s city council meeting.

The first item of the day was $8.2 million in city funding to go towards the costs associated with the replacement of the LED boards, systems, and artificial turf at Mosaic Stadium.

That motion was voted through by a vote of eight to one, with Ward 5 Coun. Turnbull voting against.

“Overall, these are items that had to be replaced. It’s actually timely that they coincided with CFL rule changes,” said Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski.

“There’s obviously some discussion that was had around making sure that we consult with our community groups, and other stakeholders that use the stadium, and that’s going to happen.”

Early in the proceedings, Turnbull proposed an amendment to conduct further consultation with the Regina Rams, Regina Thunder, Regina Riot and high schools to develop a plan on how the field will be turned over for different sports, including costs and who will cover the costs.

The amendment would also direct city administration to consult with the CFL and the Saskatchewan Roughriders on covering the cost for improvements.

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Turnbull eventually tabled the amendment to next week’s city council meeting, saying she wants to adjust it to also consult with other municipalities that are dealing with similar issues with their stadiums due to the impending CFL rule changes.

Ward 3 Coun. David Froh asked city administration for some information regarding the type of turf that would be going in, to accommodate other users of the field besides the Riders.

City administration said they have hired a turf consultant, Anthony James Partners, to decide whether the turf will be stitched, painted, or a combination of both.

They said making sure the stadium remains usable for the whole community is top of mind.

The next sports recommendation that was passed unanimously was a lease agreement between the City and the Regina Red Sox for Currie Field.

“Some of the comments I’ve heard from the people who are patrons at Currie Field over the years are sometimes less than positive experiences in the past. So, to have this being invested in, brought up, and ready for great use and to be proud of our community, I think is great,” said Ward 9 Coun. Jason Mancinelli.

The deal, according to Bachynski, hands over responsibilities for the maintenance of the field from the City to the Red Sox, who are owned by Shawn Semple.

“The way that the agreement is set out, it’s mainly on to the Red Sox, with the city recognizing through that grant, in lieu of us not doing that work anymore, the work that needs to be done to kind of upkeep that facility. And that ends up being a revenue neutral for the city,” Bachynski said.

Both items will face one final vote at next Wednesday’s city council meeting.