[skthunder77]

Originally Posted by Welkin

The BC Lions did not spend $14 million for a temporary stadium. The public entity that runs BC Place spent that money for both the Lions and the Whitecaps while BC Place was under renovation (it was probably part of their $560+ million renovation budget). Obviously Vancouver can afford a lot more than Regina, and they could easily pay for a $14 million temporary solution while they were working on their renovation. Vancouver also had no problem coming up with the funding for their renovation.

Regina has been trying since March or 2010 to put together some sort of public private funding package for the new stadium with no success. Expecting new stadium construction to start in 2013 and finish by 2016 is ludicrous, especially since we don't have a design, we don't have funding and we will no longer have our main cheerleader in Mayor Fiacco. This "temporary" renovation offers the Riders a good solution for the Grey Cup and it helps out until Regina ever gets its stadium project off the ground. Who cares if we will still be using it 6 years from now. I am glad (and pleasantly surprised) to see them invest the money because it should be good for the Riders. They should have done something like this years ago.

I suggest you check your facts, sir:

from the Vancouver sun:

Fans ‘literally going to be right on top of the players’ during 2010 turn at CFL team’s new home

By Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun - April 29, 2010 5:55 PM

The new facility is scheduled to open June 15 and the Lions play the first game there just five days later.

The temporary venue built on the site of old Empire will host the Lions this season and both the Lions and Whitecaps for part of their 2011 seasons before they move into a renovated BC Place, scheduled for completion between mid-July and early September next year.

BC Place general manager Howard Crosley dismissed suggestions the $14-million facility has been deliberately made to appear less than ideal so fans won’t get too attached to the site with the spectacular North Shore mountain views.

The galvanized metal roof that covers half the spectators will be sprayed with grey primer and nothing else, while portable toilets will be used almost exclusively on the stadium’s east side.

“Of course we want people to go back to BC Place but we’re going to make this as good as we can, within budget, because we don’t want to do anything that would hurt Lions or Whitecaps ticket sales,” Crosley said.