Roughriders have big plans for ‘Farewell Season’ at Mosaic
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced a list of activities to mark the CFL team’s final season in Mosaic Stadium.
The Roughriders are to move into a new stadium for the 2017 season, so they’re calling the 2016 campaign the “Farewell Season” at the current facility. Single-game tickets for the season go on sale Wednesday. The celebrations will begin with a kickoff party in Regina City Plaza and Victoria Park on June 30, prior to the Roughriders’ season-opening game against the Toronto Argonauts.
The Roughriders will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Grey Cup championship on July 16, when members of that Saskatchewan team will be honoured during a contest against the B.C. Lions.
Saskatchewan’s Grey Cup-winning team from 1989 is to be feted on Aug. 13, when the Calgary Stampeders are the visitors. When the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are in town on Sept. 24, Roughriders fans can celebrate the 2007 CFL championship squad.
The 2013 Grey Cup game — which the Roughriders won at Mosaic Stadium — will be remembered Oct. 22, when the Montreal Alouettes play Saskatchewan.
Rider Fan Day on Sept. 3 will feature the traditional team introduction and autograph session as well as a Legends flag football game. The next day will be the final Labour Day Classic between the Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium.
“We have called this facility home for many decades,” Roughriders president-CEO Craig Reynolds said in a media release. “More than a generation of fans have grown up here, cheered Rider legends and witnessed some incredible moments. It’s been a gathering place for our province, where we have met new friends and played host to our nation.
“Over the course of this season, we will relive some special moments and create new ones. We’ll bring back some of your favourite players and we’ll all enjoy the incredible energy of this historic facility one last time.”
On game days throughout the season, the Roughriders are planning video tributes to the team’s legends. Some of those players also are to be on hand for games during the season.
Fans across Canada will be encouraged to go on social media during the season and share their favourite memories of the stadium by using #mosaicmoments.
The team also will be granting expanded pre- and post-game access to the field to groups of ticket-holders and randomly selected fans.
The final regular-season game at Mosaic Stadium is against the Lions on Oct. 29. The contest is expected to include an expanded pre-game celebration, an extended halftime show and a post-game onfield ceremony.