Regina could be a hub city if CFL proceeds with 2020 season

There is a lot hubbub about hub cities amid the COVID19 pandemic.

The buzz is connected to if and when the 2020 CFL season kicks off.

Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said last week that the start of the schedule has been pushed back to September, but didn’t rule out cancelling the season outright.

If the season proceeds, the concept of CFL teams playing games in two Canadian cities instead of their home stadiums has been floated. Regina and Winnipeg are reportedly among the front-runners to serve as hubs because the prairie centres have the fewest reported cases of COVID-19 among CFL cities in Canada.

“Look, there are a lot of themes being bantered about,” Ambrosie said from his home in Burlington, Ont. “There are cities that are being considered, but it would be unfair for me to identify one or another. There are several cities that are being considered as we do the analysis and we’re nowhere close to reaching any kind of decision.

“There are a lot of boxes that have to be checked and there’s a lot of analysis that needs to be done before we can really reach any decisions.”

It sounds like there needs to be discussions between the CFL and the centres in which the hubs could be located.

Tim Reid , president and CEO of Evraz Place, said he hasn’t had any formal discussions with the CFL regarding Regina as a hub city.

However, Reid has had some talks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders — who call Mosaic Stadium home — about the hub city model.

Reid added there have been more discussions about having the stadium operational if the green light is given to a 2020 season than about being a hub city.

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said he’s had only informal talks with the Riders regarding the hub city scenario and none with representatives at the CFL level.

“There are a lot of hills to climb with this,” Fougere said. “First of all, would it be with fans or not? What about transporting people to the hub city and how would that work? How much financial support would be needed?

“We’re a fan-driven league, unlike the NFL and others, and we need people in the seats to make it worthwhile. I don’t know how that works in relation to what our chief medical officer might say as well.”

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is open to the concept of Regina being a hub city.

“It would have to be safe for all involved,” Moe told reporters during his daily COVID-19 briefing on Thursday. “It has to be safe for the players and safe for all the associated team members that would be involved and likely wouldn’t include fans in the near future.”