Music: {allcanada} DOMED STADIUM APPEARS DEAD IN REGINA WITH NO FEDERAL CASH

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

{allcanada} DOMED STADIUM APPEARS DEAD IN REGINA WITH NO FEDERAL CASH

REGINA -- The dream of a domed stadium for Regina appears to be dead.

The city, the Saskatchewan government and the Saskatchewan Roughriders football club said Tuesday that a lack of federal funding means the proposed multi-purpose entertainment facility won't go ahead.

"We've said all along that a project of this magnitude requires funding from each of the three levels of government as well as the private sector," said Ken Cheveldayoff, the minister responsible.

The province applied for funding from the federal government last June through the P3 Canada Fund, which supports private-public partnerships. But the funding decision has been on hold while Ottawa decides if it will support such applications.

Last week, the province gave Ottawa a deadline.

Cheveldayoff said in a letter federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty that the province had "reached a critical point in the decision process."

Cheveldayoff noted that a land agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (TSX:CP) at the proposed site of the $430-million stadium is about to lapse. CPR has already extended the land agreement deadline a couple of times, said Cheveldayoff.

There is also concern that costs in a feasibility study released a year ago could rise as the process drags on.

The city, province and the Roughriders said that with no indication of a response coming from the federal government any time soon, it is time to move forward with alternatives.

"While I'm disappointed at the lack of commitment from the federal government, I am more determined than ever that together with our partners we will come up with a plausible solution," said Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco. "The redevelopment of 46 acres of inner city property is an incredible opportunity -- one far too important not to thoroughly investigate."

The proposed multi-purpose facility would have replaced the aging Mosaic Stadium, where the Canadian Football League team now plays.

Roughrider board chair Roger Brandvold said the club is "very disappointed."

"From our perspective, it's critical we move forward with a very focused partnership that is committed to improving our stadium for all of our stakeholders," said Brandvold. "Whether that's brand new or renewed is yet to be determined, but it's imperative we work to a conclusion quickly."