Riders plan $14M upgrade to stadium

While maintaining a new football stadium remains a top priority, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are planning $14 million in fixes and upgrades, including a new seating area, for the existing Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

The new seats, some temporary and some permanent, will be installed in time for the 2013 Grey Cup game, which will be hosted by the club.

About 50,000 seats will be in place for the game. After that, the ongoing capacity of the stadium will be around 33,000, about 3,000 more than it currently holds for a sell-out game.

The club will also upgrade the video scoreboard.

"The $14 million plan will enhance the game-day experience," the club said in a news release issued Friday.

"Replacing Mosaic Stadium still remains our top priority, but certain upgrades needed to be made to get us through the next few years and especially the 2013 Grey Cup," Roger Brandvold, chair of the club, said.

The changes will be done in stages and will begin with the addition of about 7,000 temporary seats -- and some corporate boxes, to the north and south end zone areas. They will include concessions and washroom facilities.

The team said the temporary elements will be donated to amateur sports, if the team moves into a new facility.

"When the new stadium is ready, and the stands are no longer needed, each section can be dismantled and donated to amateur sports programs across our province; allowing friends and family to watch their little, future all-star in comfort," Rider president Jim Hopson promised.

Part of the project is being supported by a low-interest loan from the provincial government.