Work is underway at Mosaic Stadium to replace the field’s nearly decade-old turf. However, the city’s plans have put a wrench into high school football playoffs. The #1 ranked Riffel Royals and the #2 seed Miller Marauders were to meet at the stadium on Friday night in the 6A city finals. The venue has been changed to Leibel field, according to the Regina High School Athletics Association’s (RHSAA) website. Generally, the field’s uprights are visible from street level. On Wednesday however, they were not – signifying the first step in the turf’s replacement. Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski provided some details as to why the city chose to replace Mosaic Stadium’s turf this week, despite there still being games scheduled. “I don’t know all the operational details; I know that weather is a consideration,” he told reporters following Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. “We have a finite amount of time to try and get that done.” “My understanding is [we’re] trying to work it in before the weather turns on us, and obviously in anticipation of next season. There was always going to be some level of impact.” On Sept. 22, 2025, the Canadian Football League (CFL) announced sweeping rule changes; such as a shortened play clock and altering of the single point ‘rouge’ were implemented at the beginning of the 2026 season. Others like the field being shortened from 110 yards to 100 yards, end zones shortened from 20 yards to 15 yards and goalposts moved from the goal line to the back of the end zones, go into effect beginning in 2027. While the replacement of Mosaic Stadium’s turf coincides with the rule changes, the city says it was at the end of its life and planned to change it regardless. “Trying to pick the best window: it’s not always going to meet everybody’s needs,” Bachynski noted. “But we do have to get that done; we do have to get the turf replaced.” Despite the CFL altering their rules, Football Canada indicated it will not be adopting the new professional field dimensions. This means leagues like USports, Canadian Junior Football League, high school and minor football programs will continue to play on 110-yard-long fields with uprights at the front of the end zone. Without a guaranteed schedule, the Rams, Thunder and every high school in Regina may have to pivot to an entire season played at Leibel Field. Bachynski says the city has been in communication with the RHSAA about the conflict. “Administration makes accommodation to make sure there’s space available, whether it’s Leibel Field or other facilities when we have to do maintenance,” he added. “That’s not just for a stadium like Mosaic. It’s obviously a big facility, but this is the case with any facility the city has to maintain or shut down for maintenance, or anything like that.” Many options are available for the city to ensure Mosaic Stadium can maintain its use for amateur football, including the ability to paint lines on the field ahead of each game instead of the permanent, stitched lines it had previously. This would create the option for any sized field to fit on the turf. Although Bachynski did not know what option administration chose. “It’s been on the books for a number of years,” he reiterated. “This was the year, regardless of any CFL rule changes which have come up. This was always the year we knew we had on the life cycle for the turf to be replaced.” With files from Ardenn Lloyd
