GETTING TO REGINA’S NEW MOSAIC STADIUM
For major events at the new Mosaic Stadium, including Riders’ games, the City of Regina wants to nudge people toward transportation options other than the car. Natascia Lypny breaks down the preliminary traffic and parking plan for the new venue.
CARS
Regina’s director of major projects Kelly Scherr said the intent of the plan is to “provide people with great choices that are fun and easy and convenient and free that let them make different modal choices in terms of getting to major events so they don’t even have to worry about parking.”
That said, people are still going to drive, so here’s what you need to know:
Elphinstone Street will be closed during major events from Dewdney Avenue to Victoria Avenue.
Taxi pickups will be located on Dewdney Avenue and south of Saskatchewan Drive.
Sheldon Jones, manager of the Dairy Queen on the corner of Elphinstone and Saskatchewan in Regina, is perplexed why the street has to be blocked that far south. While he is happy about the potential for increased foot traffic, he is concerned the road closure might deter regular customers from visiting during events. The city did not consult the business on the plan.
As for parking, there are few details yet as to what will be available at Evraz Place. There will be some forpurchase spots and ones for premium ticket-holders, staff and volunteers. The city is unsure if the parking lots around Taylor Field will be used.
The parking permit system on residential streets is being eliminated. Scherr said increased traffic enforcement will ensure residents don’t have to deal with naughty parkers.
For accessibility, Scherr said the new stadium exceeds code requirements for parking spots. Paratransit, taxis and people dropping off friends and family will have front-door access.
BUSES
The City of Regina is pursuing an agreement with the Saskatchewan Roughriders that would expand game-day transit service and make it free. Shuttle buses will depart from four malls — Normanview, Northgate, Victoria Square and Southland — as well as two spots downtown: Saskatchewan Drive at Hamilton Street and Victoria Avenue at Scarth Street. Anyone with a game ticket can also hop on a regular or Paratransit bus anywhere in the city for free.
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Those without wheels (or only two) aren’t being forgotten. The stadium will feature a bike valet service. More details to come on that, said Scherr. Plus, the city is planning a six-metrewide, multi-use pathway to run from Confederation Park to Albert Street along the railway. Colin Lea-Wilson walks to Roughriders games. He is happy to see the plan focus on methods of transportation other than cars, praising the expanded transit and bike valet options. But, he said, “I think that’s a pretty tall ask for the citizens of Regina. I’m interested to see what does happen. I really hope everything goes well and that people avoid driving to the game.”
NEXT STEPS
The city plans on presenting its full transportation and parking plan at another open house in September. A scaled-back version of the plan will be used at the stadium’s first test event on Oct. 1.