Regina city council puts more funds towards stadium

The operator of Evraz Place is increasing its debt limit so you can buy food and drinks at the new Mosaic Stadium.
 
Regina city council approved Regina Exhibition Association Limited’s (REAL) request to raise their debt limit to $13 million Monday night. REAL is borrowing up to $4 million to be spent on stadium concessions while the other $9 million is for ongoing maintenance and upgrades around Exhibition Park facilities.
 
That includes upgrading the HVAC system, improving parking lots, new garbage and recycling bins, installing new spot lights and rigging platforms in the Brandt Centre and investing in new technology and equipment.
 
Before council approved the debt limit Monday evening, Mayor Michael Fougere said the new stadium is on time and on budget. He explained this extra $4 million is part of the operating cost, not the capital construction cost.
 
Coun. Shawn Fraser voted in favour of raising the debt limit but also showed concern for any further “soft costs” as he called it. He compared the cost of the stadium to the sticker price when buying a car and said it’s important not to let all the “extras” add up.
 
REAL has not identified any other “soft costs” associated with the new stadium.

Paying for new interchanges

As the province builds the Regina bypass through a public-private partnership, it wants the City to chip in some money.

The Saskatchewan government says it will pay half the cost for two future interchanges west of the city, at 9th Avenue North and Hill Avenue, but wants Regina and the RM of Sherwood to pay the rest. It argues those interchanges will provide direct access to municipal roads at a total cost of $66 million. Regina is being asked to pay $23 million dollars while the RM is asked for $10 million.