Regina | New Mosaic Stadium

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Stormer

Yes - there are way more trains on the CP mainline than there used to be and it is only going to get worse. Also the trains are way longer. Potash trains are 170 cars now. Oil unit trains I think can be up to 130.

The longest Potash train I saw a year or so ago consisted of:

1 Engine
125 cars
2 Engines
125 Cars
1 Engine

Essentially looked like two trains caught each other, hooked up, and said lets just go together. That sucker was LONG!

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

I like your ambition NRB, and your idea. Something definitely needs to be done to allow pedestrian traffic to flow to and from the Cathedral area. Currently, a lot of people use Albert St (including myself) to get to Mosaic Stadium from the downtown area. I would guess most of that pedestrian traffic would shift to Elphinstone. Does anyone know if this was discussed in depth in the documents? I would sure hope so!

I don't think so. The Feasibility Study appears to have been removed from the RRI site.

there is this:

http://www.reginarevitalization.ca/s...ject/location/

They talk about easy access to the cathedral and Sask Dr. but don't mention trains. Also it talks about a new multi-use pathway to downtown parallel to the tracks.

In a straight line, Evraz Place is a 20-minute walk from Victoria Park. It feels further away because, on foot, there is no direct route from downtown. To fix this, a pathway will be built parallel to the railway linking the stadium with downtown. This route will be fast, convenient, and scenic.

Maybe I will take my bikes to my downtown parking spot and ride to the stadium.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

I like your ambition NRB, and your idea. Something definitely needs to be done to allow pedestrian traffic to flow to and from the Cathedral area. Currently, a lot of people use Albert St (including myself) to get to Mosaic Stadium from the downtown area. I would guess most of that pedestrian traffic would shift to Elphinstone. Does anyone know if this was discussed in depth in the documents? I would sure hope so!

Thanks dj. Yes I think it would be a great idea. As I can see a lot more people parking west of Elphinstone and North and South of 13th Ave for games. It will defiantly change the event day dynamic of the area. One thing I want to see is a transit style drop-off area, similar to the Edmonton Transit System (ETS) stations. Along one side of the stadium. So that people can easily be dropped off. I really like Mall parking / transit $4 round trip is cheap AND convenient.

What the ETS station looks like:


In the original proposal (when it was at the CP yards) I did see an access point across the tracks from just west of the Casino to connect the stadium area and downtown. But this is a different location.

Can't wait till the Middle of May to see this thing!

[Festivus]

I predict we will be let down in almost every capacity. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, I just think they will choose the cheapest and easiest options as possible, but promise that things can be changed in the future, which of course means never since future administrations won't want to spend the money.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by Festivus

I predict we will be let down in almost every capacity. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, I just think they will choose the cheapest and easiest options as possible, but promise that things can be changed in the future, which of course means never since future administrations won't want to spend the money.

There we go! I knew the old Saskatchewan attitude would raise it's Eyore head!

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

There we go! I knew the old Saskatchewan attitude would raise it's Eyore head!

It's a good thing some of us here in Saskatchewan are trying to think only positive on this project. Moving forward requires thinking like that.

To quote something I read painted on a wall once, "The most dangerous phrase in the English language is, "We've always done it this way.""

[Dougler306]

Yeah enough with that old time thinking, this is not your parents sask or your grand parents sask. I personally think it will be the nicest facility between Toronto and Vancouver. The Edmonton arena looks goofy not to mention no championship banners will grace those rafters for years and Calgary wont even put up money for a stadium/arena.

So plz stop with this its going to be a let down in every possible way. Just like i say to a lot of people with that attitude, "don't let the door hit you on the way out, Good Bye"

[Festivus]

The thing is, our thinking doesn't matter as to how it is completed. I definitely want the people in charge of these projects to be bold, but us people on the internet don't have any influence over it.

It's nice to be optimistic if there is a reason given, but what reason has been shown for that to be justified in this case so far? First we were promised a downtown stadium with a retractable roof and attached convention centre/hotel. Then it was downgraded to maybe a dome. Then it was moved to basically the current location. Then it was downgraded to "roof ready." Then it was downgraded to probably a 3-quarter bowl with overhead covering with no possibility of a completed roof (since one end is open).

So forgive me if I believe we will have our expectations met or exceeded.

[esquire]

"Roof ready" is a waste of money. Either you build the roof or you don't... what's the point in waiting 20 years to install a roof... by that point the stadium will be middle aged and getting to a point where replacement will enter the conversation. Not exactly the best time time to be pouring what by then will be hundreds of millions of dollars into a feature that will only last a decade or two before being demolished.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by esquire

"Roof ready" is a waste of money. Either you build the roof or you don't... what's the point in waiting 20 years to install a roof... by that point the stadium will be middle aged and getting to a point where replacement will enter the conversation. Not exactly the best time time to be pouring what by then will be hundreds of millions of dollars into a feature that will only last a decade or two before being demolished.

Yes, and if they put a bloody roof on the building (at a cost obviously) then at least it would be usable year round. And I think a lot more people would be for it. Even if it added 80-100M to the project.

Events that can run 365 days a year would be MUCH more beneficial. Even people who I know who don't want the stadium because they don't watch the CFL. Would love the new stadium if it had a roof because then big concerts could come and they would be out of the elements. Plus Agribition would be able to use it... Rodeos... All sorts of things.

I know what I am saying is essentially beating a dead horse. I just wish that the people in charge of this project just did it right; instead of trying to please people to increase their chances of re-election.

[micheal]

Originally Posted by esquire

"Roof ready" is a waste of money. Either you build the roof or you don't... what's the point in waiting 20 years to install a roof... by that point the stadium will be middle aged and getting to a point where replacement will enter the conversation. Not exactly the best time time to be pouring what by then will be hundreds of millions of dollars into a feature that will only last a decade or two before being demolished.

First of all I dont think hks will design a shitty stadium. They have a good reputation to protect. Secondly I think we won't have to waite 20 years for a roof. Also the life expectancy is more than 50 years. Lastly, your probably gonna see one of the nicest and most functional stadiums in the country.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by micheal

First of all I dont think hks will design a shitty stadium. They have a good reputation to protect. Secondly I think we won't have to waite 20 years for a roof. Also the life expectancy is more than 50 years. Lastly, your probably gonna see one of the nicest and most functional stadiums in the country.

Very good point, and that is my hope as well!

[Festivus]

I hope for a nice stadium, but I think it's naive for anyone to believe that there will ever be a roof over it.

[Arts]

Originally Posted by esquire

"Roof ready" is a waste of money. Either you build the roof or you don't... what's the point in waiting 20 years to install a roof... by that point the stadium will be middle aged and getting to a point where replacement will enter the conversation. Not exactly the best time time to be pouring what by then will be hundreds of millions of dollars into a feature that will only last a decade or two before being demolished.

Problem is, if this is just a replacement for Mosaic stadium, any money spent on a roof at all is a waste. However not building a venue large enough to accommodate the largest possible events in Regina without a roof is a wasted opportunity for now as well as into the future because it will be atleast another four decades before the city gets the opportunity to build something like this again.

The thinking of many on this was wait and save and build something unarguably great (such as an enclosed facility that can be used all year on top of the ten or so Riders games). But the gloomers pointed out that everything costs double down the road plus the local politicians all felt it urgent that it was their own names that get associated with the building. Meanwhile, in the past 10 years, including the last several that this has been in planning, how much savings has the city actually socked away for this?

But even though nothing has even been installed yet, I guess it is too late to continuing having that discussion... we're gonna get a Mosaic Stadium replacement that will be prettier than what we got but won't really bring about any enhanced opportunities aside from possibly one additional home Grey Cup.

[Nathan]

And who knows, perhaps the adding of a roof later would then allow the new roof project to submit the cost under a new provincial funding application (Remember that the province's funding model for all future projects has been standardized at 30% up to $80 mill, IIRC). I don't know if it was a lifetime grant per facility or what.

Just a thought.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Festivus

The thing is, our thinking doesn't matter as to how it is completed. I definitely want the people in charge of these projects to be bold, but us people on the internet don't have any influence over it.

It's nice to be optimistic if there is a reason given, but what reason has been shown for that to be justified in this case so far? First we were promised a downtown stadium with a retractable roof and attached convention centre/hotel. Then it was downgraded to maybe a dome. Then it was moved to basically the current location. Then it was downgraded to "roof ready." Then it was downgraded to probably a 3-quarter bowl with overhead covering with no possibility of a completed roof (since one end is open).

So forgive me if I believe we will have our expectations met or exceeded.

I'm not familiar with Festvus posts, but the poster is only looking at the reality of the situation and how it has progressed since it's proposal. I'm a optimist by nature but even my pessimistic side can look at the progression of this proposal and remain slightly jaded from it's inception to what may eventually be built. I don't think any apology is needed by this poster and his outlook on the project and what has transpired to this point.

I'm as excited for the reveal next month as those in Regina,even though I'm a Winnipeger. Patience is necessary, you might not get what was initially proposed or what you may "want" to see.

[Stormer]

One other thing. The concept designer suggested that stadium roofing technologies had recently significantly advanced with lighter stronger materials. The RFP bidders had to take the risk on this and were not prepared to try anything too innovative. In several years perhaps these technologies will have matured and costs will come down.

I never believed they would be able to achieve the polycarbonate roof with minimal supporting structure that Patel envisioned, but maybe some day.

[EpicPonyTime]

I don't think we're going to get an amazing stadium or a horrible one. We're going to get something that is excellent in areas and not-at-all what we desired in others. That's why it really bugs me when people post photos of billion dollar NFL stadiums and say this is what we're getting because HKS built it. It's not in any way comparable. As much as I would love to see a unique stadium tailored for Saskatchewan (and the talk of a horseshoe Euro football stadium certainly makes me excited in that regard) I have the suspicion it is going to look like Winnipeg's. That's great, because that stadium is excellent except for its drainage, but it isn't quite what the design has been built up to.

As long as it looks nothing like Mosaic or the two-sided stadiums in the league, we all should be happy.

[jigglysquishy]

I'm all for building a roof, but let's not delude ourselves. We won't be getting any more big concerts.

All the "stadium" tours that are going across North America will do the American North/Canada during the summer and the American South during the winter. They won't come to Canada just to visit Regina.

There are legitimate benefits to having an all-season stadium, but big-time concerts during the winter isn't one of them.

At best we would get one additional concert a year.

[Chorduroy]

I know this ship has sailed, but it's going to take me a while to get over the fact that they moved the project from the Dewdney downtown location (I know: ).

It could have been one of the coolest stadiums in Canada, and made that area just north of downtown incredibly vibrant.

I can only hope that the area north of the tracks there is developed regardless - with some more bars/restaurants and condos.