Financially speaking…
Clearly, the economic benefits of housing the Roughriders in a brand new stadium continue to be the main factor on the table. Plans to invite (notice the use of that word) the Roughriders into the stadium will generate interest from the fans across the province as they want to see their team on a new stage. In reality, who doesn't? However, Fiacco has clearly stated the reason for building a new complex does not entirely involve the Canadian Football team. It will be an entertainment complex used to house community activities, sporting events and concerts. Do you see where Fiacco's interest is leaning towards? With a state of the art facility, bands will not hesitate to book a show in Regina when traveling across country. In turn, tourist numbers increase, the band makes money, the city of Regina makes money and so on and so forth. That is just the tip of the iceberg. The Premier of Saskatchewan would consider hosting more World Championships, Olympic qualifying, possibly even an Olympic bid down the road. I am not an economist but I believe its called a "snowball effect".
Traditionally speaking...
For those of you not familiar with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the CFL or even football for that matter, I will enlighten you on the traditional aspect of this situation. The Roughrider franchise has been around since 1910. Their fans were voted the rowdiest of any Canadian sports team in the last decade. Merchandise sales are third behind only the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadians (I hope you know who they are). In other words, they are an iconic franchise. Roughrider football is synonymous with frozen tundra, watermelon heads and hardnose football in the North. Now, remove the comfortable confines of Mosaic Stadium and place them inside a dome stadium; what do you get? Something completely different. It would be like taking the Green Bay Packers out of Lambeau Field. The meaning of football (North or South) would not carry the same merit based on the atmosphere alone. The CFL prides itself on the long standing tradition of playing outside in the God-given weather of Canada. Simply thinking about taking the Saskatchewan Roughriders out of Mosaic Stadium compromises the integrity of the game.
In closing...
The people directly involved with forging plans for a new facility have second guessed themselves on several occasions; no question about that. Yet, the real test will be if they actually follow through with it. The proposal exists, the blue prints are drawn, the readiness is all....
Thanks for listening, folks.
Sources
- "Regina unveils plan for new home for the Roughriders". http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=362864 . May 3rd, 2011.
- "Canada's Rowdiest Sports Fans". http://sports.ca.msn.com/cfl/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=22716477&page=10. Daniel Nugent-Bowman. 26, Nov. 2009.
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