Rent reduced for Riders, early budget items approved by Regina Council
2h ago
Council retroactively slashed $1.33 million in rent owed by the Roughriders.
When most think of dressing up for Roughrider games, they think of either watermelon helmets or winter coats. But for Toronto’s Melodee Bartel, it’s all about the shoes.
Growing up in Saskatoon, Bartel was born a die-hard Rider fan. So when her mother noticed an ad online for custom-made sports team high heels a couple years ago, she placed her order. Since then, the compliments haven’t stopped rolling in.
Toronto’s Melodee Bartel said she mostly wears the shoes to cocktail parties, but plans to wear them while the Riders are in the 2017 CFL playoffs. (Melodee Bartel/Submitted)
“I’ve since gone back to look because people have asked me where they can get them, but I don’t see them anymore. I think they’re no longer available,” she laughed.
Bartel said paying $200 for the possibly one-of-a-kind heels just adds to her “over the top” Rider fan wardrobe.
“I like the tattoos, I like the green hair, I like the watermelons — but when I saw these shoes, it was just one of those things I had to have. They’re a big hit,” she said.
Bartel added that she wears the 7-inch stilettos all year round — mostly to cocktail parties, but to Rider games, too. However, this year, she took out the sparkly green “multi-functional” heels for good luck.
“I pulled them out just a few days prior to last Sunday’s game, and I said ‘these are my lucky Rider shoes’ — then, sure enough, we managed to pull out a big win,” she laughed. “I do believe they’re lucky.”
She and her family have tickets to Sunday’s eastern final game at BMO Field, and — weather depending — Bartel said she plans to wear her “lucky Rider shoes” to hopefully extend the team’s winning streak.
Ready for game day
Decked out in Saskatchewan Roughriders gear and her “lucky Rider shoes” Toronto’s Melodee Bartel is ready to head to BMO Field for the eastern final on Nov. 19, 2017. (Melodee Bartel/Submitted)
Decked out in her Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey, face tattoos and her “lucky Rider shoes,” Toronto’s Melodee Bartel is ready to head out to BMO Field for the eastern final against the Toronto Argonauts.
With the weather being a bit chilly out east, Bartel said she’s still on the fence about wearing them to the game.
“I’ve got my shoes, but I brought back up just in case. A girl has to have options,” laughed Bartel.
The Saskatoon native is predicting her Rider green stilettos will give the Roughriders the luck they need to pull off a 32-27 win over the Argos, and make history as the first crossover team to ever make the Grey Cup.