Roughriders’ bright lights

We’re excited to show the country what we’ve done here, what this province has accomplished.

Saskatchewan Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds can’t wait to welcome Rider Nation to its new home.

Although Mosaic Stadium hosted an exhibition game between the Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 10, the new $278-million facility won’t officially be unveiled — with all its bells and whistles — until Saturday’s regular-season home-opener against Winnipeg.

“Quite honestly, it’s one of the most important days in the history of this franchise,” Reynolds said Monday during a media gathering at Mosaic Stadium. “This is a once-in-alifetime opportunity to open a state-of-the-art stadium like this in front of our fans. Our fans absolutely deserve this type of facility. It’s going to be an absolutely amazing day.”

The Riders are putting the finishing touches on special pre-game festivities and an elaborate halftime show.

Reynolds is keeping the details under wraps.

“I don’t want to tell too much,” he said with a smile. “It’s going to be large scale. We’ve engaged with the same group that does the Grey Cup halftime show. We’ve been working with them for a long time. There’s over 200 people involved (as performers). It’s really going to be a celebration of this province’s love for the team.”

It’s also going to be a celebration of the new facility. Reynolds looks forward to opening it in front of a national TV audience on TSN.

“We’re excited to show the country what we’ve done here, what this province has accomplished and the type of facility we have here,” he added. “It is truly world class. It’s iconic. We think it’s the best stadium in Canada. To unveil that to the country on July 1, on Canada Day, on the 150th birthday of Canada, it’s quite exciting.”