Debate over CFL field change hangs over Regina council decision on Mosaic Stadium turf

The City of Regina says a consultant will help ensure new turf installed at Mosaic Stadium will be suitable for all users.

But at least one city councillor isn’t so sure, and wants to make sure all stakeholders are consulted.

The city’s executive committee has voted to recommend spending $8.2 million to replace Mosaic Stadium’s artificial turf as well as its LED video boards. In order to have the work done in time for the 2027 season, the request was brought forward for advance approval before budget deliberations.

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A report by administration said the turf was always scheduled to be replaced after 10 years, and the 2026 football season marks its tenth.

The replacement coincides not only with Regina hosting the 2027 Grey Cup, but also with CFL rule changes that are set to alter the field dimensions next year, shortening the length of the field and relocating the goal posts to the back of the end zones.

“As Mosaic Stadium is scheduled to host the 2027 Grey Cup and serve as the home venue for Saskatchewan Roughrider games and practices, replacement of the turf cannot be deferred beyond 2027,” the report said.

So far, there has been no confirmation of other Canadian football leagues changing their own rules to match the CFL. Mosaic Stadium is used by Regina high school football and the Western Women’s Canadian Football League’s Regina Riot, while the junior Regina Thunder and the University of Regina Rams play at least one game per year there.

Other games are played at Leibel Field.

“I have spoken to stakeholders and it’s become clear that unless the field is able to change, and not at their cost, they’re not going to be able to go there,” Ward 5 councillor Sarah Turnbull said during Wednesday’s committee meeting, “which also puts more stress on Leibel Field.”

A proposed amendment – later withdrawn by Turnbull – called for further consultations with those groups about the turnover between field dimensions and for consultation with the Roughriders and the CFL about covering the cost of improvements. Turnbull said she plans to introduce another amendment when the discussion is before council next week.

“We invested – the city – $73 million, designed for a specific game, and this league unilaterally changed the game,” Turnbull argued.

According to administration, the plan going forward includes hiring a consultant to talk with all affected user groups to ensure the replacement field meets everyone’s needs.

“We have a lease agreement with the Riders, who are our main tenant in that space,” Mayor Chad Bachynski said. “There’s a mutual benefit to the success of the Riders and the and the revenue that we receive that we can put back into the stadium.

“So this is work that has to get done, and we’ll navigate it, recognizing that there’s some consultation to go with it.”

As for the video boards, the report said they were expected to have a life span of 10-15 years. While the city planned for the higher end of that span, climate and vibrations from the nearby rail line shortened that, the committee heard.

An assessment found that there could be unfixable black sections in the screens by the time the Grey Cup is set to take place in 2027.

It was recommended to proceed with both replacements at the same time.

Funding would come from the Regina Revitalization Initiative Stadium Reserve, which is funded from a $12-per-ticket stadium levy which flows to the city.

If the project goes ahead, that reserve will sit at -$10.5 million. However, the administration stressed that the city has adequate cash flow to cover expenses until the fund is back in the black.

“It’s calculated that there’s no concern and no impact to the mill rate for the for the replacement work that we have to do,” Bachynski said, explaining that loss of revenue from the pandemic was a contributing factor to the negative balance.

Council will vote on whether to approve the request at its June 24 meeting.