The Riders want Regina to be the home of CFL football in 2020.
The Roughriders, in conjunction with several organizations, have made a bid to the league to host all of the CFL games this season.
“The Saskatchewan Roughriders have submitted a competitive bid for consideration to be a hub city if the CFL plays the 2020 season,” in a statement released by the club to 620 CKRM. “We are proud of the package that we put together with help from public health, our provincial government, the City of Regina and the Regina Hotel Association and for the potential economic activity a winning bid could bring to our province and to Regina.
“We are excited about the opportunity of potentially being a hub city, but whether we win the bid or not we support the CFL and are hopeful that we can get back on the field and play football in 2020.”
On Monday, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said his government will give the CFL $2.5 million if they will host their 2020 schedule in Winnipeg. The money would go to food, accommodations, travel, practice field rentals and event accommodation. That offer was quickly upped by the Saskatchewan government as they released a statement Monday afternoon hours after the announcement from Pallister.
The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to commit $3 million as part of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ bid to be the hub city for the 2020 season, provided the one-hub city model is approved by health officials and the Canadian Football League and Regina is selected as the hub city. This commitment is part of a larger bid put together in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, public health, the City of Regina and the Regina Hotel Association.
Regina is an exceptional choice to be the host for the one city hub model for many reasons. The new Mosaic Stadium and other facilities are state of the art and are well suited to accommodate all the needs required in a hub city model. The Riders have worked closely with Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer and health officials to develop a responsible plan to ensure proper protocols are in place for this unique season.
The selection of Regina as the CFL’s hub city would have a significant positive impact on our hospitality sector and the city’s economy. Selecting Regina as the hub city also offers an excellent opportunity as a starting point in building momentum as we prepare to host the 2022 Grey Cup. We are ready to welcome the league to Saskatchewan and be a part of the league’s recovery.
Provincial ministers in Ontario have also made the cases for Hamilton and Ottawa as potential hubs.
