Mosaic feels burn as fans slam lack of water

Just four fountains as mercury hits 32 C at new stadium

On a day when the mercury hit 32 C and paramedics had to treat 21 fans for heat-related symptoms, some were upset there wasn’t a lot of cold water on tap at the Saskatchewan Roughriders game on Saturday.

Social media was buzzing with complaints about the lack of water fountains at the scorching-hot game at Mosaic Stadium.

Despite numerous requests for an interview, the City of Regina, Evraz Place (REAL) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders did not respond on Monday.

The city confirmed there are four water fountains located throughout the main and upper concourses of the stadium and no water bottle filling stations. According to the city, there is no limit on the number of water bottles people can bring into games. However, the bottles must be sealed and be one litre or less.

Drinking beer isn’t a healthy way to stay hydrated during hot days, cautions Glen Perchie, executive director of emergency and EMS with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region.

“Beer doesn’t work!” Perchie said. “Beer makes you pee. What we recommend to people is nonalcoholic beverages. Coffee is also another diuretic that makes you pee. They’re not helpful. Water is No. 1 and you really have to stay on top of it.”

Heat hit some fans hard at Saturday’s game.

EMS responded to 21 instances of heat-related complaints at the game. Two people required transport to hospital, six were managed by St. John Ambulance and 15 required fluids and cooling by paramedics and then were released.

“We were busy, but there was good support there,” Perchie said. “To my knowledge, everybody is well today and even those who were transported, I don’t believe anyone was admitted (to hospital).”

The team pays for paramedics to provide medical attention at games.

“The Riders take their medical response really seriously,” Perchie said. “We generally have a minimum of six paramedics out there plus a team lead who is responsible for the operation overall ... It’s not cheap putting that together and I give them a lot of credit.”

Other than the Riders game, EMS didn’t report a spike in heatrelated problems over the wickedly hot weekend.

Paramedics work closely with St. John Ambulance at games.

Michael Brenholen, director of St. John Ambulance operations in Regina, suggests fans drink lots of water before going to the stadium to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“Get your pom poms and your water in before you leave the house and keep that water coming and you will have less chance of getting into trouble,” he said.

Brenholen discourages drinking alcohol during hot weather. But if you do, he advises alternating a beer with a glass of water to stay hydrated.

“Even before the body gets overloaded on the heat, do things like wear a hat that’s got a brim on it to keep the heat off your head, wear clothing that’s proper to the heat that’s happening,” Brenholen said. “The watermelon heads are cool, so there is an advantage to it. But just understand, if you dress up for the game, dress for conditions.”

If precautions are not taken, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur.

“Everybody has heat exhaustion at some time or another,” Brenholen said.

“That’s when the sweat starts to flow as the body tries to compensate for the increase in heat. Other symptoms you might run into are the feeling of thirst, a general weakness in your body and when you feel the person’s skin, it will actually feel cool and clammy.”