Griffiths Stadium “Riderized” for first Saskatoon Roughriders game since 1991

In 1991, the world’s first website launched, Bryan Adams’ song (Everything I Do) I Do It For You was at the top of the charts, and the Cold War ended.

It’s also the last time the Saskatchewan Roughriders played in Saskatoon.

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That 35-year dry spell is set to end Saturday, though, as the Riders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Griffiths Stadium in a pre-season game.

But, transforming what game entertainment and community manager, Karina Peterson, called the “bare bones” Huskies stadium into one fit for Saskatchewan’s team has required a lot of effort.

Organizers have brought in an entire audio system, so fans will be able to hear the referees and music.

They’ve also set up, “the largest video board in North America,” according to Roughriders CEO and President Craig Reynolds.

Stretching wider than a city bus, the massive screen will enable fans to watch plays on the field and the board.

Reynolds said despite the smaller location, he still wants it to feel like a typical Rider game day, especially since there’s a lot of people coming who’ve never been to a game at Mosaic Stadium.

“To walk in here and see it sort of Riderized now with all the pageantry, yeah, it was emotional, and something we’ve wanted to do for a number of years,” he said.

Those similarities even apply to security, with people expected to comply with the same policies in place for Regina’s games. So, that means no purses, backpacks, or camera bags.

Speaking about Griffiths Stadium, Roughriders CEO and President Craig Reynolds said the, “Huskies have a great game day experience here, but we want to ‘Rider-ize’ it.” (Scott Roblin/650 CKOM)

A pop-up Rider store will also be set up in the stadium’s northwest corner.

There’s no denying it, though, not everything will transfer from the CFL stadium to the Saskatoon venue.

“There’s a much more intimate crowd that will be here tomorrow, as opposed to what we house at Mosaic,” Peterson said.

Though, the differences might not be a bad thing.

“I would hate to copy and paste what we do at Mosaic Stadium, because I think that would be a miss,” Peterson said, adding how the entertainment provided will be catered towards Griffiths Stadium.

There will be a mascot race with fan favourite mascots from across Saskatchewan and those wanting to come early can enjoy the Coors Light Party in the Park, starting at 2 p.m. That event will have a DJ, inflatables for kids, face painting, yard games, and more.

Plus, Reynolds said the standing area will put fans really close to the action and players as they run out for the game.

Despite all the planning that’s gone in to make this game a success, there’s still a lot of unknowns about what it’ll all look like when it comes together.

“We don’t necessarily know what that crowd will look like,” Peterson said.

Standing tickets for the game will be sold up until Saturday’s kickoff at 5 p.m., with a Rider Ticket Office set up in the Huskies Box Office at the stadium.

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