Work impacts wider area
REGINA — Today’s ground breaking ceremony marks the beginning of construction for the new $278-million football stadium set to be completed by 2017.
But having such a massive construction project on the southeast corner of Evraz Place near Elphinstone Street poses challenges for the events and entertainment organization.
“There is always impacts because not only is it the site area where the new stadium will be but it’s the surrounding area, the staging area (and) the loading and unloading that is always happening,” said Neil Donnelly, vice-president of events and entertainment at Evraz Place.
PCL Construction Management Inc. has been hired to build the 33,000 seat, 48,483 square-metre stadium with a sunken bowl.
Four tower cranes are required for construction and the amount of dirt that needs to be excavated would fill 112 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Site preparation and the installation of a waterline closed part of Elphinstone Street in April.
After nearly two months, the street reopened on June 4.
Donnelly said that with construction on the stadium now ready to commence, the Elphinstone entrance will remain closed to traffic.
In general, the strategy to deal with issues arising from construction and hosting events will be done on a case-by-case basis, said Donnelly.
“Each event has a different layout and set up and requirements. So, each event will be a little bit different. And also, it depends on where they are in the construction time,” explained Donnelly.
For Wednesday’s Farm Progress Show, besides limited parking in other areas at Evraz Place, people are encouraged to park at the Lawson Aquatic Centre and walk to the event through gates near the Regina Armoury.
In terms of noise from construction, Donnelly doesn’t see that as a huge factor for nearby residents since the adjacent rail line already makes the area noisy when a train passes.
Donnelly added that construction will be done during regular working hours so it shouldn’t impact people’s evenings and weekends.
Despite the initial challenges, Donnelly sees the project as beneficial in the long run.
“It’s that short-term pain for long-term gain type of thing. There are always growing pains when you are growing, and this (project) is one of those.”
City councillor Wade Murray said he hasn’t heard any concerns from residents about construction; although some residents were frustrated when Elphinstone Street was closed to install the waterline.
“With any major project, you’re going to have some inconvenience ... I think most residents have come to realize that our community is in need of redevelopment and they’re content with the fact that we’re redeveloping and we’re putting in new amenities,” he said.