Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Mosaic Stadium in Regina needs more than $8 million in renovations, including changing the turf and goal posts to meet the CFL’s new standards to be in place by the 2027 season.
Other football leagues that play in the stadium are concerned that if their game doesn’t change along with the CFL, Mosaic will no longer be usable for them.
Because the stadium is the City of Regina’s asset, issues with the changes made their way to a meeting of the city’s executive council.
“I’m confident that we’re going to find a solution that works for everybody,” Mayor Chad Bachynski told The Morning Edition Host Adam Hunter.
“That’s what I heard yesterday, so I know that’s the goal … 100 per cent agree with making sure that we are engaging with our community user groups that use that stadium and the turf in addition to the Roughriders.”
When asked who would pay potential added costs for accommodating the other leagues, the mayor said that hasn’t been decided.
“I know that was floated by the councilors; I think there will be conversations about it,” Bachynski said. “I don’t know how amenable any parties will be to that, and I don’t think there’s any obligation, but I think that it’s good to have the conversation and see where that goes.”
WATCH | City of Regina talks turf:
Turf under debate as Regina city council considers Mosaic Stadium renovations
Mosaic Stadium needs about $8 million in renovations. The city will upgrade the video and LED boards, as well as new turf. But there is debate about what kind of turf to use.
Ideas of a potential hybrid playing space have been voiced, but serious renovations would need to be made for a proposed moveable goal post, and potentially repainting the lines every game. If the turf is stitched, it would be incredibly difficult to change the field.
“Things are different for different organizations; of course all those things come with a cost,” said Regina Minor Football executive director Len Antonini.
“If you’re changing back and forth and back and forth, then there is a cost to it. So there’s still a few things to be hammered out.”
Regina Minor Football executive director Len Antonini, in his offices at Leibel field, voiced some concerns about how many leagues have different rules. (CBC)
Leibel Field — a key gridiron in Regina’s amateur football scene — could see a packed schedule if USports teams also begin to depend on it.
Hopes of avoiding bad game times and saving on hybrid fields land on other leagues adapting to the CFL’s field modifications.
“We really don’t have a concern yet because we don’t know what Football Canada is going to do,” said Antonini.
“So until Football Canada makes a decision, we’re not going to worry about it.”