13 delegates to bat at Regina City Hall for the stadium’s new baseball field – Regina | The Canadian News

Regina’s city council will face a figurative full count when they meet tomorrow at Henry Baker Hall to discuss the idea of ​​funding a feasibility study for a new ballpark.

13 delegates are signed up to speak to councilors about the Agenda item for October 27, which comes with a recommended action to deny funding courtesy of Regina’s executive committee.

“The City of Regina has long needed a primary ballpark to house the Regina Red Sox as primary tenants, as well as many other baseball programs,” said one of those delegates in a previously written presentation: the CEO. of Baseball Sask, Mike Ramage. .

“The current location of Currie Field (built in 1968) has been overtaken by the Regina Red Sox and a new stadium would offer a great facility to host future provincial, regional, national and international championships.”

Other delegates include members of the Regina Red Sox and Living Sky Sports and Entertainment (LSSE), the two organizations that first approached the city to build a new stadium after commit to working together to replacing Currie Field, 53.

However, councilors are unlikely to play ball if tickets from the Oct. 6 Executive Committee meeting are any indication.

The committee, which includes all councilors who will be in town hall on Wednesday, voted 7-3 against signing a letter of intent that would have committed up to $ 100,000 in city funding for a feasibility study on a new stadium. .

District 2 Councilman Bob Hawkins voiced his opposition to the idea, suggesting that the city has better ways to spend that money and creating the motion voted to recommend that the city skip the potential contribution of funds.

“We are committed to the well-being of the community and the environment, but this is not the time to invest in $ 100,000, which at this time is just a dream.” Hawkins suggested during the meeting.

The city Recreation Master Plan ranks ball diamond investing 17th on its outdoor utility spending priority list.

If the council decides to approve the letter of intent, the feasibility study would be partially funded by Regina Red Sox and LSSE.

City Manager Chris Holden noted Oct. 6 that he noted that the city would bear a significant portion of the costs as it would eventually be a city-owned facility.

City funds would go toward things like a needs assessment, an economic impact assessment study, conceptual plans, analysis of preferred site locations, capital and operating costs, financing, and financing options.

Initial construction cost estimates for a 3,500-seat stadium are between $ 20 million and $ 25 million, according to the city.

Speaking on October 6, LSSE founder Alan Simpson expressed disappointment with the decision and said he believes the city is missing an opportunity to revitalize itself.

“You need special groups to do special things like this. Obviously, the city of Regina does not share the same vision as LSSE and the Red Sox, so we move on, “Simpson said, adding that LSSE has identified the Dewdney Avenue railroad tracks as an ideal location for a new stadium.

“It can act as an economical cornerstone for the Dewdney Avenue entertainment district and revitalize the work-intensive downtown.”

The council meeting begins at 1 pm