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Stadium plan sparks debate on social media

Jul 16, 2012 | 2:51 PM

On Saturday we learned the new Rider stadium would go ahead at a cost of $278-million dollars and while the idea was popular with fans leaving Mosaic Stadium, it did spark several questions from the public.

Mayor Pat Fiacco says there is no time to hold a vote on the stadium for those who oppose the plan.

Part of paying the bill will come from fans who will have to pay back a $100 million loan from the province over several years. In order to do this, there will be a four dollar increase on the current eight dollar facility fee.

The announcement brought out some mixed reaction from callers to John Gormley Live and on social media.

“I'm wondering if it doesn't need to be bigger. You think about the Rolling Stones concert or even Grey Cup, are 33,000 seats big enough?” one caller asked.

Another pointed out that he is in favour of the project but not the process, or the attitude that they should just keep pressing the issue at city hall until they could get their way.

“Four dollars? Your eight dollars have already put people out of being able to afford to go to the game and this four dollars is going to put more people out and it's not right,” another caller noted.

Others were still upset that the plan will not include a dome, even though the government has insisted that the design will allow for a roof to be added in the future.

“I'm really glad they're doing it but I'm still ticked off there's no lid on it,” one man said.

On Facebook, Lori Singleton agreed.

“I just wish they could have put a roof on it the first go around, then it could be used as a multi-purpose facility,” she wrote.

Others on social media questioned the process of public accountability and asked why the city is not holding a plebiscite to vote on the issue.

A few, like Joel Pasloski supported the move as being good for Regina.

“The facility will strengthen the economy for local business in the area and is a statement that Saskatchewan has moved on from its small thinking past. Mosaic won't last forever. Best to make this move while the province is booming,” he wrote.

Randa Palfy and Joanne Lynne said they were against the whole idea of the new stadium. Both argued that the increase in fees will leave more people out of being able to afford tickets.

“It will only serve a few people with money enough to attend. There are other more fundamental issues for people that should be dealt with for citizens of Regina first. Costs will be higher than forecasted, guaranteed. They should have asked the citizens of Regina before pushing this through,” Palfy wrote.

Regina Mayor says stadium is past deadline for public vote

Mayor Pat Fiacco is giving a firm answer “no” to the idea of putting the plan for a future stadium to a vote.

“It's past the deadline for this to be on the ballot,” he said.

Despite the hundreds of millions that will be raised through the public, he says it will not be put to any kind of referendum or plebiscite.

Property taxes will see small stadium targeted increases for the next decade.

“The majority of it actually is being paid for by the users of the facility,” not the taxpayers.

Details like what the new facility will look like or an exact location on the exhibition grounds should be ready in about a month.

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