Regina stadium proposal

THE CANADIAN PRESS

REGINA -- City council in Regina has voted in favour of working with a private-sector partner to build, finance and maintain a new football stadium in the city's downtown.

The stadium is part of a proposed $1-billion redevelopment that would also include housing, retail and commercial projects.

Construction could start in 2013, with the completion date set for 2016.

City administrators will spend the next year crafting a request for proposals.

Council heard Monday that 19 local, national and international companies are interested in looking at a partnership to help build a new home for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Mayor Pat Fiacco says the partnership would prevent the city from taking on all the risk of cost overruns and other unexpected problems.