Three events to test out new Mosaic Stadium
Natascia Lypny, Regina Leader-Post June 27, 2016
The City of Regina is looking for 16,500 people to help test out its new stadium.
On Oct. 1, football fans and those curious about the new venue will crowd into Mosaic Stadium for the first of three test events. The occasion: A University of Regina Rams versus University of Saskatchewan Huskies game.
Mayor Michael Fougere has no doubt the tickets will sell.
“I think Saskatchewan people love football,” he said. “If there’s an opportunity to go to a football game in a brand new stadium, they’re going to be there.”
The idea is to fill up the stadium halfway to see if the $278-million facility works as it’s supposed to. Still, as Fougere reminded reporters Monday, “the new Mosaic Stadium will be quite different on Oct. 1 than it will be next year.”
The stadium’s substantial completion date is Aug. 31, which the city said is on track. At that point, the project’s private partner — PCL Construction — needs to have its part of the bargain done.
After that, though, the city, stadium occupants and vendors still have a good deal of finishing touches to wrap up before the facility is truly ready for business. That means everything from furniture to site preparation and the Confederation Park redesign, to concession stands, broadcast cabling and the fit-out of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ area.
All of those projects are included in the stadium’s total price, a city official said.
But since they’ll still be in the works this fall, you won’t get the stadium’s full wow-factor on Oct. 1.Only the lower bowl and the main concourse will be accessible, for instance. It will be a general admission game during which things like lighting (even though it’s a daylight game), security and ticketing systems will be tested, as well as bathrooms, public address systems and elevators.
Video displays won’t be used in full-force and neither will transit or game-day transportation plans. Food and drinks will only be available at mobile vendors.
The second test event, to be held before the end of May, is still a mystery. Its aim is to fill the venue to 75-per-cent capacity, or 24,750 people, with assigned seating and full concessions.
The last chance for tune-ups is a Roughriders pre-season game schedule for next June. That will be at full capacity.
The city will be asking spectators for feedback from these events, and be making the necessary tweaks along the way. The hope: That by the Roughriders’ first 2017 season home game, the stadium is in top shape.
Prev
Linear Mode
