CFL to Saskatoon?

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

Yeah I knew that...

But honestly, screw Laval, they beat us in the Vanier 3 times in a row.

You're right though Laval is football crazy... I'd love to see a CFL team around that neck of the woods...

Finally some perspective!

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

Saskatoon apparently has a growth rate of 2.1%. If we maintain that rate of growth for 10 years the city will be at 300,000 people. Regina on the other hand has a growth rate of 1.13%, if they maintain that in 10 years the population will be 230,000 (15,000 less than the current CMA of Saskatoon.)
Source
http://statscan.ca


I am not clueless, the Board of Directors of the Roughriders are however.

I think that Saskatoon's growth rate will end up being higher than that projection. Cities with Government in them tend to lag behind the "Second City."

Ie (Vancouver, Victoria)
(Calgary, Edmonton... all though Edmonton has been keeping up)
(Montreal, Quebec City)

Toronto is really an exception, because it is a provincial capital, but is in the same province as the national capital.... but you get my point... right?

Saskatoon will continually outgrow Regina and it will eventually become very evident that there should be a professional team here... NHL, CFL or otherwise.

The population logic doesn't fly at all. That's a small portion of it sure. But why does Denver outdraw Los Angeles in the NHL? Buffalo over Chicago? San Jose over NY Isles? It can go on and on. Bigger population doesn't translate to higher attendance. Heel Regina outdrew Toronto for how many years in the CFL? Edmonton over Calgary? It just doesn't fly.

[JayM]

Originally Posted by Chaps

The population logic doesn't fly at all. That's a small portion of it sure. But why does Denver outdraw Los Angeles in the NHL? Buffalo over Chicago? San Jose over NY Isles? It can go on and on. Bigger population doesn't translate to higher attendance. Heel Regina outdrew Toronto for how many years in the CFL? Edmonton over Calgary? It just doesn't fly.

when it comes down to it money and companies to back it up come before fan base. which is pretty obviously is most cases, then after they got the cash to back it up, then the fan base comes into play. its a well split decision.

[Stephen LaRose]

Originally Posted by Chaps

The population logic doesn't fly at all. That's a small portion of it sure. But why does Denver outdraw Los Angeles in the NHL? Buffalo over Chicago? San Jose over NY Isles? It can go on and on. Bigger population doesn't translate to higher attendance. Heel Regina outdrew Toronto for how many years in the CFL? Edmonton over Calgary? It just doesn't fly.

I wonder how much midnightrambler would be posing about the inevitableness of moving the Riders to Saskatoon if the team had the record they had in the 1990s. Didn't hear anybody in Saskatoon say they wanted the Riders then.

[swilley]

^Give me a break, Gormley reports that a few people from Saskatoon want a CFL team here, Riders or otherwise. Now all you idiots have your panties in a bunch over it. Records in the 90's, It's Regina's team, blah blah blah. Get over it.

[CCF]

"Idiots."

That's not very nice.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by swilley

^Give me a break, Gormley reports that a few people from Saskatoon want a CFL team here, Riders or otherwise. Now all you idiots have your panties in a bunch over it. Records in the 90's, It's Regina's team, blah blah blah. Get over it.

Its funny that you avoided Stephen's question completely. And by the tone of your post methinks it you who's got his panties in a bunch. Face the facts swilley, it ain't ever going to happen during this generation.

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by Migs

Its funny that you avoided Stephen's question completely. And by the tone of your post methinks it you who's got his panties in a bunch. Face the facts swilley, it ain't ever going to happen during this generation.

Get your finger out of your bum. None of us in this forum ever said it was going to happen.

Honestly I would rather wait for a new expansion franchise however long it takes than to put up with the bitching and complaining you folks in Regina would spout if the team ever did move.

[Chaps]

Originally Posted by CCF

"Idiots."

That's not very nice.

Yet completely expected from him.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Migs

Its funny that you avoided Stephen's question completely. And by the tone of your post methinks it you who's got his panties in a bunch. Face the facts swilley, it ain't ever going to happen during this generation.

I think you just proved my 'idiot' point. Do you actually read what people say on here? No one here thinks the riders are moving, including me. Do I need to go back through the pages and quote the numerous times we have said this? And to answer SL's question, Saskatoon is a different place now than it was in the 90's. I am sure it would be economic reasons as to why this never came up in the past. Now a few business people (who never officially announced this) apparently want to explore the idea about the CFL in Saskatoon, nothing more than that.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Chaps

Yet completely expected from him.

I'll take that as a compliment

[Migs]

Originally Posted by swilley

I think you just proved my 'idiot' point. Do you actually read what people say on here? No one here thinks the riders are moving, including me. Do I need to go back through the pages and quote the numerous times we have said this? And to answer SL's question, Saskatoon is a different place now than it was in the 90's. I am sure it would be economic reasons as to why this never came up in the past. Now a few business people (who never officially announced this) apparently want to explore the idea about the CFL in Saskatoon, nothing more than that.

Bullshit!!! And thanks for proving who the real idiots are.
Gormely said their idea was to "move the Riders to Saskatoon".....let me see I believe their quote was "Regina had the Riders for the first 100 years so Saskatoon should have it for the next 100 years" Great spin by the way.

And Regina is a different place now than it was in the 90's just like Saskatoon, yet we were able to support a professional franchise through the toughest possible times. Stephan simply asked the question if these 'business folks' (whom are too chicken shit to state their names btw) would be as willing to build a stadium if the Riders didn't win the GreyCup this past season???? Quite the coincidence hey??????


And like I've already said in this thread, this is nothing more than a pipe dream on Saskatoon's part as the Riders and the CFL would never alllow a team in Saskatoon for at least the next quarter century. Halifax, Quebec City, Windsor, and London will have teams long before Saskatoon is even considered. So perhaps one day when you are old and grey you lads in Saskatoon can have a halfempty stadium with a football team just like you presently have a half empty arena with a hockey team.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Get your finger out of your bum. None of us in this forum ever said it was going to happen.

Honestly I would rather wait for a new expansion franchise however long it takes than to put up with the bitching and complaining you folks in Regina would spout if the team ever did move.

.....you'll be waiting for one hell of a long time. Britney Spears' 2 kids will be running for President and Vice President of the United States the same day Saskatoon gets a team. And please keep the 'bum' comments for your friends in toontown thank you very much.

[Mark Bench]

All this silly arguing proves is that a lot of forumers really need to get a life (myself included). The Roughriders are supported by all of Saskatchewan with the majority most likely coming from Regina due to it being home base. It would be great to see Saskatoon get their own team but seriously, I doubt that Saskatchewan could support 2 CFL teams.

I am so glad I left the province when I did. I certainly don't miss the petty little rivalry between the two cities. It's no different here in Alberta between Calgary and Edmonton, but in this case each has a CFL team, so they argue over which team is better. I only half heartedly cheer for the Stampeders unless they are playing Saskatchewan, then it's green all the way.

I am not even a sports fan of any sort so I really don't care one way or the other. Just helping this silly thread reach the 10,000 posts mark .

As you were forumers.

[midnightrambler]

Originally Posted by Migs

.....you'll be waiting for one hell of a long time. Britney Spears' 2 kids will be running for President and Vice President of the United States the same day Saskatoon gets a team. And please keep the 'bum' comments for your friends in toontown thank you very much.

By that time the population of Saskatoon will be double that of Regina.

[Stephen LaRose]

Originally Posted by swilley

^Give me a break, Gormley reports that a few people from Saskatoon want a CFL team here, Riders or otherwise. Now all you idiots have your panties in a bunch over it. Records in the 90's, It's Regina's team, blah blah blah. Get over it.

Sigh.

What I am saying is that there has been no historical desire by Saskatonians over the years to move the franchise to their city. If the Riders were 6-12 and/or if the CFL was in a shaky situation, do you honestly think there would be the desire to spend more than $300 million for a new football stadium -- the majority of the costs being borne by Saskatoon taxpayers?

There hasn't before. And there hasn't in cities such as Kitchener-Waterloo, Windsor, Victoria, London, Quebec City, or Halifax -- all cities as big if not bigger than Saskatoon, and with a larger corporate base. Look at the Ottawa Renegades, and the Rough Riders before that. And Ottawa has a million residents with an average household income greater than Saskatoon.

Do you think running such a business as the Riders is all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows? Think of the ticketthons. Running a professional sports franchise, in many way, is a better indication than a cocaine habit that you're making too much money.

The biggest selling aspect of the Saskatchewan Roughriders has been their history, and if you fool around with that, you're turning the club into just another CFL football team. The Riders could be toying with that if they merely move the team out of Mosaic Stadium to somewhere else in Regina.

judging from what I've read on this thread, people in Saskatoon who think this is a good idea have three things in common:

They have no knowledge of how CFL franchises work:
they confuse Regina-bashing with local boosterism,
and
they don't know how hard it is to make a payroll.

[Stephen LaRose]

Originally Posted by Migs

Bullshit!!! And thanks for proving who the real idiots are.
Gormely said their idea was to "move the Riders to Saskatoon".....let me see I believe their quote was "Regina had the Riders for the first 100 years so Saskatoon should have it for the next 100 years" Great spin by the way.

And Regina is a different place now than it was in the 90's just like Saskatoon, yet we were able to support a professional franchise through the toughest possible times. Stephan simply asked the question if these 'business folks' (whom are too chicken shit to state their names btw) would be as willing to build a stadium if the Riders didn't win the GreyCup this past season???? Quite the coincidence hey??????


And like I've already said in this thread, this is nothing more than a pipe dream on Saskatoon's part as the Riders and the CFL would never alllow a team in Saskatoon for at least the next quarter century. Halifax, Quebec City, Windsor, and London will have teams long before Saskatoon is even considered. So perhaps one day when you are old and grey you lads in Saskatoon can have a halfempty stadium with a football team just like you presently have a half empty arena with a hockey team.

Two words, Migs:

2007 Universiade.

[swilley]

Originally Posted by Stephen LaRose

Sigh.

What I am saying is that there has been no historical desire by Saskatonians over the years to move the franchise to their city. If the Riders were 6-12 and/or if the CFL was in a shaky situation, do you honestly think there would be the desire to spend more than $300 million for a new football stadium -- the majority of the costs being borne by Saskatoon taxpayers?

And what I am saying is there still isn't. A few un-named people had an idea that they apperantly told Gormley about. Don't think all of Saskatoon wants to mess with the Riders.

[midnightrambler]

Talking about stadiums
Kevin Blevins, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008
Those who know me well realize how difficult this is for me to say, but I'm all about giving credit where credit is due.


So, thank you, Saskatoon.

Thank you for the wakeup call when it comes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and whether or not they should be playing in a new stadium when our province enters the next decade.


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Font:****Not that some of us were surprised by the news from the north last week that some business people from the Paris of the Prairies think the Riders -- Regina's crown jewel -- should move there and into a brand new 32,000-seat stadium.

No, I wrote about that in December -- "Dome It?, Do It!" -- and many Leader-Post readers told us online and on the letters' page that it was a great idea.

But I'm still wondering if Mayor Pat Fiacco and Roughriders president Jim Hopson have awoken to the reality that fixing up 80-year-old Mosaic Stadium is "so much foolishness," to borrow a phrase from my great uncle Orville, a tough-as-nails Saskatchewan farmer.

Or to borrow another saying from the same noted hog producer: "You can put lipstick on a pig, but when you go to the dance, you'll still have a pig."

Right-thinking taxpayers don't want to spend millions of dollars on lipstick.

That would be silly.

Saskatoon luring the Riders is not silly, however, even though some columnists have said as much in this very newspaper.

Saskatoon is the bigger city and it will likely continue to outgrow Regina as Saskatchewan shifts from a province dependent on agriculture to one dependent on natural resources, especially resources from the north.

The resource-based corporations tend to call Saskatoon home because it is the gateway to the north. Cameco, the world's largest uranium producer, is one of them and it made a $60-million profit last year. So building a new home for Gainer to dance around in, along the south Saskatchewan River, in the shadow of the Bess, called Cameco Place, could probably get done.

At least, Saskatoon realizes the province's beloved Green and White deserves new digs. Fiacco and Hopson don't appear to be that far along in their game plan. Getting the public to embrace a new stadium for the Riders should be as straightforward as a simple post pattern, but to complete the pass from old to new, you have to stop fumbling the snap.

Should we fix up Mosaic Stadium, or build a new stadium, perhaps a climate-friendly dome?

The best CFL team (the Riders are still the Grey Cup champs; the dream is not over ...) and the league's most devoted fans certainly deserve something new, something better than the "old grey lady" that has too few concessions, too few bathrooms and too few corporate boxes.

Where should the new stadium be? On the city's outskirts or in the heart of downtown?

Sporting and entertainment facilities are best located in the heart of a city, keeping the community's core buzzing long after the office workers' have gone home for the day. Almost all of Regina's bus routes intersect downtown at some point (a necessity to getting to the games for those who live in Regina) and many of the best hotels, restaurants and bars are downtown as is the city's only casino (attractions for fans who don't live in Regina). And with CP Rail finally moving its container yard to the city's outskirts, about 20 acres of prime downtown real estate will be free in the next five years.

Besides, if a new stadium is built anywhere but downtown during Fiacco's watch, then all his blustering about downtown renewal can be chalked up to "so much foolishness."

Should it be an outdoor stadium or a modern, steel dome?

Your heart may side with sunshine, but your head remembers the cold winds of October and November, and therefore knows it must be a dome. Also, to make a 35,000- to 40,000-seat stadium worth its hefty price tag in a city the size of Regina, it has to be used for more than just football. Regina should have multiple entertainment facilities of multiple sizes to attract all sorts of entertainment and sporting events. An indoor football stadium would be the perfect complement to the 6,600-seat Brandt Centre.

And if you don't think options are needed, then talk to the good people at IPSCO Place, who had to pass earlier this month on hosting a John Mellencamp concert because the hockey arena was being transformed into a championship curling venue.

Who pays for the new stadium?

Private enterprise, governments, or both?

This is Saskatchewan, after all, one of the few places in North America that has seen success with private and government-owned entities competing and working with each other, so the answer is probably both. An open-air stadium will likely cost about $200-million and a dome double that.

Big money, yes, but it will only get more expensive with each passing year, with each fumbled snap.

It's just one more reason for Regina's leaders to get the football in the air.

That, and the fact that some Saskatoon business people are already running their pass route.

-- Blevins is deputy editor, online, at the Leader-Post.

I can tell you one thing for sure, I will be severely pissed off if the Provincial Government commits tax money to building a new Stadium in Regina. Likely story if you ask me. LET US FUCK OVER ALL THE CORPORATE AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN SASKATOON SO SASKTEL CAN CONTINUE TO PARADE THEIR TEAM AROUND THE PROVINCE AND STIFLE INVESTMENT ALL SO REGINA CAN HAVE A FOOTBALL TEAM.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by midnightrambler

By that time the population of Saskatoon will be double that of Regina.

That is total speculation on your part. You have no idea what the future holds for either city as population growth %'s vary all the time. Are you aware that Regina is about to construct an intemodal transportation hub for the prairies that has the potential to create thousands of jobs as well as the 2billion dollar expansion of the Coop Upgrader in north Regina? You folks up in Saskatoon seem to think that your the only one's enjoying this current boom which is hardly the case.

ps....what happens if Shell Canada moves some of its headoffices to Regina???? (which I hear there is better than 50-50 chance)