A Rider Nation celebration

These are joyous days for the Rider Nation, the team atop the standings undefeated in battle thus far in the 2012 season and with Saturday's announcement, the much anticipated new stadium for Saskatchewan is much, much closer to reality.

The stadium plan which has been bounced back and forth over the last year, took a tangible step towards construction on Saturday when Premier Brad Wall announced that ground breaking would take place shortly for a new state of the art, roof ready complex destined for completion in 2017.
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The new stadium will hold 33,000 of the Rider congregation, with room for guests upon special occasion, such as oh lets say a Grey Cup game or Western final for instance..

And while the current design is for an open air stadium, the design will be such, that should Saskatchewan residents decide that maybe sitting in the late November cold isn't as endearing as it sounds, then a roof can be added to the complex at a later date.

We wonder on what the over/under on that date might be?

Whether open air or fully enclosed at some future date, the Riders will join a parade of CFL cities with new homes, with Hamilton ready to build and the tantalizing prospect of Ottawa returning to the league with a rebuilt Lansdowne Park. But,  as always the competitive nature between Manitoba and Saskatchewan will make for an interesting view on the project.

Winnipeg of course had to revisit their plans owing to construction delays on their new home, forcing them to press Canad Inn stadium into service for one more year, the euphoria of a new home placed on the back burner in what is shaping up to be a rather long and sad season for the Blue.

We imagine the Riders will be anxious to make sure all their ducks are in a row and the timetable is focused on that 2017 date.

If for no other reason than to have something else to talk about when they arrive in River City for the annual banjo bowl showdowns...

Regina Leader Post-- New Stadium MOU passes Committee
Regina Leader Post -- New stadium for Regina in 2017
Regina Leader Post-- Saskatchewan residents weigh in on stadium announcement
Regina Leader Post-- Editorial: Stadium goal realistic, affordable
Regina Leader Post-- Time is right for new stadium
Global Regina-- Regina Stadium project takes another step forward 
Metro News Regina-- Stadium gets the go from City's executive council
Saskatchewan Lifestyles-- User pay is the way for new stadium
TSN-- New Digs
Sportsnet-- Roughriders get news of new stadium for 2017
CBC-- New stadium taxes on agenda at Regina City Hall
Globe and Mail-- Roughrider fans get news they were all waiting for: New stadium for 2017
National Post-- Roughriders to get new stadium for 2017
Toronto Sun-- Saskatchewan Roughriders to play in new stadium by 2017