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Thursday, December 1, 2011

No Dome??

If you listen to the Sportscage, you know Regina mayor (the best damn mayor there is) Pat Fiacco joins Rod and I each Wednesday to shoot the breeze. The mayor discussed his morning singing at St. Angela School (damn I forgot to watch the story on that on Global) and then he dropped a bombshell. Rod asked him what was new with the stadium project and the mayor responded by saying things are proceeding, but it may be an open-air stadium and not a dome or a facility with a retractable roof.

We didn't have time, but I wanted to ask Pat what the difference was money-wise between open air and retractable roof or dome. I'm just wondering if the funding isn't there for a roof or dome. I am fully in favour of a new multi-purpose facility for Regina, and I know it will do wonders for the city. However, the all purpose facility I want is something that can be used 365 days a year and not just the May-September time frame. Fiacco didn't say the facility wouldn't have a roof or dome, but it sure sounded as if he (or whoever) is leaning towards an open-air facility.

A more in-depth update will come from Fiacco in December. We know a facility is coming, we just don't know what it will look like yet. Perhaps the Wall government will come through with some money --money to provide the roof or dome. We will see.

Whatever the end result is, it will be nice to go to events in a facility that isn't crumbling. Don't get me wrong, I will miss the charm Mosaic Stadium has, but I will welcome the modernization.
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It would seem as if a lot of you believe Andy Fantuz is perhaps asking too much from the /=S=/. If what I have heard is correct, Fantuz is looking for a contract that will pay him in the neighbourhood of 300 grand a year. No receiver in the CFL is worth 300-grand a year. I understand Andy wants to recoup the money he lost last year by being in Chicago and if a deal can be done where it is front-loaded (say 3 years at 600-grand with the payout being 300, 200, 100) then fine, but if he is looking for a 3 year, 900-thousand dollar deal or more, forget about it. If the Riders do give Andy what he is looking for, it means someone else of marquee value would likely have to go.
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Henry Burris' future just got more interesting with news that Steven Jyles has signed a contract extension. I think everyone in the CFL was thinking Hank was off to the Argos, but now you gotta wonder. With Hamilton relieving Marcel of his duties, what does that do to Kevin Glenn and Quinton Porter. Would Winnipeg be interested and if Anthony Calvillo doesn't come back, would Montreal? There is also the thought out there that perhaps Hank is done. I can't see that, but you never know.
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Would the Riders be interested in having Kevin Glenn come here as a backup. He'd be a nice insurance policy if something ever happened to Darian.
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I know the fans want him and I'd love to have him as the head coach, but I just don't think Dave Dickenson will be the guy calling the shots in Riderville next season.
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I knew Bruce Boudreau would get another NHL head coaching job, but I didn't think it would be that quick. If you didn't hear, Boudreau was named coach of the Anaheim Ducks while we were sleeping this morning.
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Dale Hunter is the latest junior coach to try his luck in the pros. Success in juniors hasn't translated into success at the pro ranks for many. Isn't that right Brent Sutter, Cory Clouston and Peter DeBoer. Guys like Todd McLellan and Mike Babcock had to work their way up from being a head coach in junior to being a head coach in the NHL and its worked for them.
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Let me get this straight---it is the first of December and the Minnesota Wild are the top team in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild??!!
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Its December 1 and I have just scratched the surface when it comes to Christmas shopping! GULP!!
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Its December 1 and it is still extremely pleasant outside. The longer it stays like this, the shorter our winters are. I'm not complaining.
Have the Canucks basically told Roberto Luongo to sit and wait for a trade? Nothing against Cory Schneider, but its unfathomable to believe Schneider has started six straight games with a seemingly healthy Luongo on the bench.
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The Calgary Flames need to trade Jarome Iginla and get some talent back. The first call I would make would be to Boston and the guy I would want would be Tyler Seguin. Boston could certainly live without Seguin and Iginla would improve Boston's chances to win the Cup for a 2nd straight year---although they look like they could do that right now the way they are playing.
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Michael Irvin was with ESPN's Colin Cowherd yesterday and said Tim Tebow could take the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl. I immediately thought Irvin is back on the cocaine. CMON MIKE!!!
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The Philadelphia Eagles don't have Michael Vick or Jeremy Maclin. They have Lesean McCoy who is at about 50-75 percent because of a bad toe. The Eagles got dismantled at home by the Patriots and then have a short week as they are in Seattle tonight. Take the Seahawks to win this one!!
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Leaving your blinker on while driving is the road form of leaving your fly unzipped.
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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like Fiacco, but his legacy takes a huge hit if the new stadium doesn't have a dome or a roof. The question can be legitimately asked why bother if the new place doesn't have one of these two things.


Cam

Anonymous said...

The constant Fantuz chatter amuses me. Either play here or get out so we don't keep talking about it.

Keith said...

My favourite Regina mayor of all time is Johnny Sandison, the Morning Mayor.

Anonymous said...

C'mon Mitch, Boston would be insane to trade Seguin for Iginla. Seguin looks like he'll be a star and Iginla is a rapidly aging former star. Boston has a good group of youth learning how to win, they don't need an Iginla. I think Iggy would thrive in Pittsburgh riding the wing with Crosby. I'm not sure what comes back to Calgary. Maybe Staal if Calgary sweetens the pot with a draft pick.

Tim

Anonymous said...

1. If there is no dome or roof then scrap the project and put the money elsewhere.

2. If Fantuz wants 300 grand, he can get it elsewhwere. Good riddance!

3. Who cares about the gap-toothed freak?

4. Boston would be a good destination for Iginla and they just re-upped with Krejci this morning. Hmmmmmm. I think Philly, St. Louis and Washington might also dance.

On another matter, do you see Marshall resurfacing in Hamilton as their HC?

Darrell

Anonymous said...

If Andy wants 300-grand, I will respectfully boo him when he comes to town wearing whatever teams uniform, because I certainly hope its not green.

MF

Anonymous said...

They can build an open air facility if they want but don't come asking me for tax money to build it. A new Mosaic type facility is crazy. Drive by Mosaic and see what it's doing right now and imagine having a 350 to 400 million facility doing the same thing. It appears the Mayor is doing a 180 degree turnabout. It wont sit well with taxpayers. Spending huge money for something that is only and primarily football related is utter stupidity. This was supposed to be multi-use and in orderfor it to be that, it must be domed. Stop with this open air insanity. Maybe if we had the proper facility we can close the gap on hosting the Grey Cup. BC Place 8 Regina 2. Nuff siad!

West Central Dave said...

Make it a dome at the very least! Preferably a retractable roof if you're going to spend that kind of money, but at least a dome!

Anonymous said...

I wanted a dome, but if it's impossible economically for our small population, screw it. Just build the new outdoor facility at old CP yards downtown in time for 2013 Grey Cup. Don't make Saskatchewan look like Fools Fiacco ! Get it started asap (dome or not)

Anonymous said...

Iginla is worth maybe a 2nd round draft pick, the guy is almost done!