MOSAIC MEMORABILIA SOLD
Old stadium now faces wrecking ball
The MaxTron at old Mosaic Stadium was an integral part of the game day experience for years, and rumour has it that the giant screen sold for far less than a standard flat-screen television.
“The MaxTron was a Riders asset and I did hear that it sold for $100,” said Jill Hargrove, director of facility management services.
The giant screen was just one item up for sale through McDougall Auctions over the course of July and August, giving Rider fans the chance to purchase a piece of Mosaic. Everything from the turf on the ground to the seats in the press box were up for grabs.
The unique deconstruction process was a first for Hargrove.
“I have to say this is one of the unusual projects I have ever been involved with, but it has been a lot of fun,” she said. “It is going really well. The process has been great. I have talked to a couple of individuals and they have mentioned how smooth the process is going overall.”
According to a release by the City of Regina, 114,500 square feet of turf and 800 benches were diverted from the landfill because of the auction. The city has also repurposed many benches, which will now be used for seating in the general admission lounge of the new stadium. Benches from old Mosaic have also been installed at bus stops at new Mosaic.
“We wanted to make sure we had the opportunity to preserve the legacy at Taylor Field, so the city decided to repurpose a number of benches,” Hargrove said. “We also made sure we had additional inventory so that future projects can use the Taylor Field benches.”
There is no breakdown yet on how much income was brought in through the auction, but funds will be split between McDougall Auctions, the Roughriders and the City of Regina.
“We didn’t have a set amount (to raise) for us,” Hargrove said. “We wanted to make sure people had the opportunity to purchase a piece of history and to ensure product was diverted from the landfill.”
Those who purchased items through the auction have until Aug. 31 to pick up their goods.
“There is a final cleanup auction happening this week, and then people are picking up their assets,” Hargrove said. “Anything that isn’t sold or picked up will become part of the demolition contractor’s responsibility.”
The auction was the first stage of the stadium’s deconstruction. The second phase, the actual tearingdown process, will begin in September now that a contract has been awarded to Budget Demolition, a company out of Hamilton. All above-grade elements will be removed by December 2017, with site restoration complete by spring of 2018.
For Hargrove, seeing the stadium come down has been bittersweet.
“It is a little bit exciting and it is a bit sad at times to look over and see the progress,” said Hargrove.
“As someone who is a resident of Regina and participated in many events, it is a different experience but I have enjoyed my experiences at Taylor Field.”
The city will be hosting an open house regarding the deconstruction process on Sept. 6 from 5:307:30 p.m. at the SportPlex, 1717 Elphinstone St., providing residents a chance to learn more and offer their opinion.