Regina city council approves Grey Cup funding, tables free transit debate

City councillors debated funding and economic impacts of a potential Regina Grey Cup bid, including up to $1.5M in support.

Regina city council voted in favour of approving up to $1.5 million to support the Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club (SRFC) in their bid to host the 2027 Grey Cup.

The motion was passed with a vote of 6 to 2 during Wednesday’s meeting, with Ward 5 Coun. Sarah Turnbull and Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak voting against.

Ward 2 Coun. George Tsiklis, Ward 10 Coun. Clark Bezo, and Ward 7 Coun. Shobna Radons were absent from the meeting.

The financial contribution is subject to several conditions:

• The bid to host the 2027 Grey Cup in Regina is successful
• A contribution agreement with the SRFC is completed
• The SRFC is successful in securing financial support from Tourism Saskatchewan and the Regina Hotel Association
• The SRFC demonstrates the ability to plan and execute the event
• The SRFC recognizes the City of Regina accepts no obligation for deficits, loans, or guarantees incurred by the SRFC in hosting the Grey Cup

“Past Grey Cups have had things like pancake breakfasts, a whole kids’ zone where families can come and let the kids play in the kids’ zone, a whole host of things. So that’s one way that people benefit from that,” said City Administrator Jennifer Johnson.

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“Also, sort of more holistically, tourism, so an event like this is a major tourism event, and tourism generates $3 billion in spending every year in Saskatchewan.”

Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski was happy to see the motion make it into the proverbial endzone.

“When we have the opportunity with our world class, arguably best stadium in the league, to showcase that, showcase our city, we have tens of thousands of people that visit our city, spend money in restaurants, hotels,” he said.

“The economic activity is, I think, over $40 million, that we see or have seen in the past. So, when I see what it brings to the city and how it can showcase our city, and we know that the volunteers step up during Grey Cup events when we host them.”

The issues of the free transit program and Costco speed limit were tabled until the next council meeting.