University of Regina Rams to open new Mosaic Stadium

By Dale Johnson Posted: June 27, 2016 4:30 p.m.

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere (l-r), Tanya Reynoldson, U of R interim Director of Athletics and Chris Briltz, Rams vice president, were on hand for the announcement that the Rams will open Mosaic Stadium on Oct 1. Photo by Trevor Hopkin - U of R Photography

The new home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be opened by the U of R Rams, when they host the U of S Huskies in the first public event in the new Mosaic Stadium on October 1.

“This will be a milestone event for our community and province. Anytime the University of Regina can be a part of events like this, it gives the institution an opportunity to enhance our image and brand,” says Tanya Reynoldson, the U of R’s interim Director of Athletics.

A crowd of 16,500 is expected for the game, because the upper levels will not yet be open. It’s termed a test game, and means various facilities – including the washrooms, public address systems, elevators, parking and security – will be tried out with fans in the stadium.

As a test game, only the lower levels of Mosaic stadium will be open.

“The Rams are an integral part of our community and to have them play in the first event in a new stadium is fantastic. We obviously hold the Rams with a lot of pride and respect and this is a good way to help the Rams, and also to test our new facility and see how it goes,” says Regina Mayor Michael Fougere.

The test game will help get Mosaic Stadium ready for when the Saskatchewan Roughriders move in for the 2017 Canadian Football League season.

The test game could set a record for the highest attendance ever at a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) regular season game.  

“We expect 16,500 fans at this game. It’s going to be a really exciting day for our players and our coaches – and really for our province, in terms of seeing the first football game at the new Mosaic Stadium,” says Rams vice-president Chris Briltz, who played for the team from 1999 to 2002.  

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for the student athletes from both institutions. We are extremely proud to be part of this event on October 1st,” Reynoldson adds.

“I believe this event will be one of the highest profile events within the 2016-2017 CIS season and that is something to be proud of as an athletic department and an institution,” she says.

As for tickets, Rams’ supporters have access to a pre-sale. Anybody who purchases a Rams flex package of tickets will include one ticket to the October 1 game as well as an option to purchase up to three additional tickets for the test game.

Those tickets go on sale June 28 at 10 a.m. through reginarams.com, the Rams administration office on campus (306-585-5480), www.riderville.com, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders box office (1-888-4-RIDERS). 

Single tickets will be available July 26.