The Saskatchewan government is being asked to kick in $230 million for a new stadium project in Regina.
Ken Cheveldayoff, minister responsible for the proposed facility, said the request was made by the city as part of a long-term revitalization project that includes a new home for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
The $1-billion plan would see Mosaic Stadium, where the Riders currently play, torn down and the land used for a combination of housing, retail and office development.
Cheveldayoff said the province's share could be for various parts of the project.
"Part of the stadium, part of the revitalization of the CP (Rail) site and of the current Mosaic site," Cheveldayoff said Tuesday.
He said he has sent a letter asking the city for more specific information about the cost and funding model.
The province punted plans for a domed stadium last year due to a lack of federal funding and said it would be up to the city to come up with new plan.
"They talk about different options, but obviously it's scaled back from the earlier proposal of a fully enclosed dome stadium. But again, I'd like the city to talk about what they have envisioned here because it is their proposal," said Cheveldayoff.
"One of the questions that I've asked them is (about) their discussions with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and where the Roughriders are on it as well."
The city's plan unveiled in April 2011 calls for a sports and entertainment complex, along with condos and commercial space, to be built on a site currently occupied by Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. A neighbourhood with residential units on the old Mosaic Stadium site.
The private sector is expected to pitch in 75 per cent of the overall development costs.
Cheveldayoff said $230 million is "in the ballpark" of what Manitoba put up for a new stadium in Winnipeg.
"I think that the numbers sound reasonable. But again we have to, before we make a final determination on that, find out exactly what they're talking about," he said.
There has long been talk about building a new home for the Roughriders.
Mosaic Stadium, with its bench-style seating, is structurally sound but it is also one of the oldest buildings in the Canadian Football League. It was originally built as a rugby field in 1910 and has been renovated numerous times over the years.
The team said in March 2010 that it's getting to the point where Mosaic will no longer be usable.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders unveiled plans in February to spend $14 million to upgrade Mosaic Stadium and add thousands of temporary seats through the next few years, especially for the 2013 Grey Cup.
"I think it's fair to say that something has to be done," said Cheveldayoff.
"We've gone forward with a temporary upgrade that will serve us well for the Grey Cup, but we have to have a long term vision here."