Rider fans bid farewell to Mosaic Stadium

The last Roughrider game — ever — at the old Mosaic Stadium in Regina Saturday attracted 33,000 fans.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to move into a new $278-million facility for the 2017 CFL season. The new Mosaic Stadium has already had a successful test run at 50 per cent capacity for a university football game.

• City of Regina calls new stadium test ride an 'absolute success'
• Farewell to Mosaic Stadium on Taylor Field

The old stadium was a sellout on Saturday for a game between the hometown Riders and the visiting B.C. Lions. The official count was 33,427. The home team lost to B.C. 24-6.

The stands remained full after the end of the game as the crowd watched a 20-minute video presentation that recounted the history of Taylor Field and recapped memorable highlights in the history of the team.

The crowd roared its approval for many highlights and sports legends of the past.

Finally, with quarterback Darian Durant leading a countdown, flanked by Rider royalty including George Reed, a tremendous burst of fireworks lit up the stadium.

"This has been a game and a moment that our fans have been anticipating for over a year," Craig Reynolds, CEO of the Roughriders said, prior to the game. "It is sure to be an emotional day and one we will never forget."

Reynolds noted the team has played 611 times, including Saturday, at Mosaic.

The game attracted fans from far and wide, including Winnipeg, Calgary and elsewhere.

"I come back for every game," Roger Hodges, who was born in Regina, raised in Swift Current and now lives in Calgary, said.

Hodges said he has been reflecting on the end of an era.

"It's bittersweet," he said. "I've shed a few tears watching what some of the reporters have been saying about it."

• QUIZ: Do you know the history of Mosaic Stadium?