It looks like Rider football will be played on Taylor Field for a long time yet. I know this news has many ticked off while many others celebrate. Here is what's being said by the Regina Leader-Post's Angela Hall on the issue.
The proposal for a multi-purpose entertainment facility is dead.
The provincial government, along with the City of Regina and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, said in a news release Tuesday that a lack of federal funding means the current project won't proceed further and it's time to look at other options.
"We've said all along that a project of this magnitude requires funding from each of the three levels of government as well as the private sector," Ken Cheveldayoff, the provincial government cabinet minister who has been overseeing the proposal, said in the news release.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is still committed to working with the other partners to find a solution to the deteriorating condition of Mosaic Stadium," Cheveldayoff said.
The Saskatchewan Party government applied last June for Ottawa to pay about 25 per cent, or roughly $100 million, of the proposed $431-million stadium's cost under the P3 Canada Fund, which is intended to provide money for public-private partnerships, but has not received an answer.
An agreement to purchase CP Rail land has now lapsed, and the potential cost of the project has increased since the proposal was made, the news release said.
"The partners have agreed that with no indication of a response from the federal government any time soon, it is time to move forward with alternatives," the release stated.
Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco has maintained that the project would have allowed for redevelopment in downtown Regina, where the CP yards are currently located, as well as more housing in the inner city at the site of the current Mosaic Stadium.
"While I'm disappointed at the lack of commitment from the federal government, I am more determined than ever that together with our partners we will come up with a plausible solution," Fiacco said in a statement. "The re-development of 46 acres of inner city property is an incredible opportunity - one far too important not to thoroughly investigate."
Saskatchewan Roughrider board chair Roger Brandvold said in the news release that the organization is "very disappointed" but supports the decision not to proceed with the current proposal.
"From our perspective, it's critical we move forward with a very focused partnership that is committed to improving our stadium for all of our stakeholders. Whether that's brand new or renewed is yet to be determined, but it's imperative we work to a conclusion quickly," Brandvold said.
The provincial government, city and Roughriders said they will meet in the near future to decide on the next steps.
3 comments:
Political football at it's worst. Both the Province and City should have shown more 'creative' thinking on this. To simply say it's dead since the Feds didn't come up with the dough in time is totally ridiculous and such an easy cop out for the local governments. Why not buy the CP Rail land and then hold the Feds feet to the fire. If they don't come through, then find some special use for that land that will beautify and enhance the downtown core. Just throwing your hands up and saying it's dead is so easy. Sad.
Build an out door in the CPR yard with a potential to dome in the future.Take the land now.We don't 20years down the road we will be discussing a stadium on the outskirts of the city due to no land in the city.Saskatoon is still kickin themselves for having CU were it is.
Let's all get behind Mayor Pat and move on to get this project done. The Feds and the province have gotten cold feet, so it is time for the private sector to set it up and support a great community project.
Larry Schwentke
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