I’m not sure what the popular sentiment amongst the majority of Moose Javians is; I haven’t surveyed a large enough sample size to know for sure. What I do know, from being privy to comments posted to our website and other correspondence that comes through the newsroom, is that there seem to be many Mosaic Place naysayers out there.
On the weekend of Remembrance Day, when we received a deluge of snow, I wrote stories about the weather and the ceremonies at Mosaic Place, amongst others. The following Monday I was absolutely amazed, amused and bemused at how so many people used a story about snow to complain about Mosaic Place, or as some so fondly refer to it, the “multi-mess."
I mean, I’m quoting meteorologists about snow and weather systems, and all people want to talk about is how much they loathe Mosaic Place, as if it were the facility's fault that the rest of the city was buried in winter. But perhaps there are some things to consider that can help put all this multi-fuss to rest.
Prior to hosting a nationally televised event, Mosaic Place hosted a globally recognized talent in rock legend Alice Cooper. A few weeks later, thousands flocked to town to witness the Capital One Canada Cup of Curling. The event drew a record paid attendance of 33,160 people, besting the previous record of 27,440 set in Yorkton.
People from around Canada came to Moose Jaw. But huge events like this need more than an adequate facility and sponsorships to come to fruition; they need people, like the 370 people who volunteered their time to make the event what it was and to help draw all the positive attention that Moose Jaw has surely garnered as a result.
From speaking with volunteers, I know that they too traveled from out of town or province to join in. And what did they say? Like other attendees, they waxed eloquent about the beautiful facilities and how they made the event possible. Cheers to the volunteers from home and afar who helped Mosaic Place and Moose Jaw shine on a national scale.
It should also be considered how the local economy benefited from a surplus of people in the thousands coming to town for a good time.
Nearly half of the most popular stories on the Times-Herald website are associated in some way with events going on at Mosaic Place. For better or worse, people are paying attention to it. This last weekend the Leader-Post in Regina ran a story I wrote about the recent concert announcements; looks like they’re paying attention too.
Carrie Underwood, not my favorite entertainer but nonetheless a globally recognized superstar, is sure to be another event that draws people to Moose Jaw. If you build it, they will come, and there is no telling whom else Mosaic Place might attract.
So let’s thank the hard-working employees and volunteers at Mosaic Place for the investment they’ve made in Moose Jaw’s future and stop the paranoid naysaying.
