Regina Exhibition Association Limited’s President and CEO says they have been working closely with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on their planned return-to-play protocols.
Tim Reid said on Monday during an Iceville event at Mosaic Stadium that if the Canadian Football League was ready to play football, REAL will make sure Mosaic Stadium was willing and compliant to open.
“From a facility standpoint, when they are ready to play football and they have approval, we will be ready to respond as a facility,” stated Reid. “Our side to that is really about how we make sure the building is ready.”
Reid could not say what the plan would look like and what the are chances of fans being in the seats for games, but he described REAL’s return-to-play plan as being in “draft mode.”
He said that he would like to see 35,000 fans to watch a game, but he thinks it would even be refreshing to just have a kickoff and see the Riders back in action. In the meantime, Reid remains hopeful for a season.
“I think it would be very positive from a community standpoint and it would be one step closer to recovery even though there are many steps left in the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He mentioned how it’s motivational to see the Western Hockey League and Regina Pats turn their season back on. He said the protocols in place will assure everyone involved in the hockey bubble is safe when they play at the Brandt Centre and practice at the Co-operators Centre.
