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Regina Red Sox acquired by Queen City Sports and Entertainment Queen City Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Regina Pats, announced the acquisition of the Red Sox on Friday Photo by KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post

Article content The Regina Red Sox are going from non-profit to private ownership. Queen City Sports and Entertainment — owners of the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats — announced the acquisition of the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Red Sox during a press conference on Friday.

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Article content “When Queen City Sports and Entertainment was originally founded, it was our mission to be clear we wanted to revitalize Regina’s historic franchises,” said Shaun Semple, CEO of Queen City Sports and Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Brandt Group of Companies. “And to invest in their success.

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Article content “By bringing them together, it allows us to take some of the resources we have — ticketing, merchandise sales, marketing — and combine all that to really be able to push the (Red Sox) more. While the Red Sox have never been in financial trouble in the last 20 years, team president Gary Brotzel said this move is important to remain competitive in the WCBL. “The common denominator of success in the WCBL is private ownership,” said Brotzel, who along with Bernie Eiswirth, founded the club in 2005. “The teams that have moved away from the non-profit volunteer model are thriving. “Mostly the Alberta teams and lately with the Saskatoon Berries coming on board, they’re just pushing the league to new levels. “It was clear to me that it was time that we moved on to that model as well.” After purchasing the Pats from the Parker family in 2014, Queen City Sports and Entertainment has invested “tens of millions” of dollars into the hockey club over the last decade, according to Semple.

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Article content He hopes the acquisition of the Red Sox will take the baseball club to another level as well. “Whatever it needs, it will get,” said Semple. “That’s what we’ve done with the Pats.” “I am looking very much forward to having those resources,” added Brotzel, who will stay on with the club and be in charge of baseball operations once the sale goes through. “It’s been 20 years of grinding it out and trying to balance the book every year. “I’ve been doing all the sales and running around literally between me and Sharon (Clarke, executive director). We don’t have much help and we’ve both stared to burn out so I’m very much looking forward to having help.” Pending league approval, the deal will officially close on Oct. 1, at the end of the club’s fiscal year. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but Semple did note that he is interested in helping the Red Sox build a new ballpark, which has been a project in the works for several years now after the club partnered with Alan Simpson from Living Sky Sports and Entertainment.

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Article content “It’s not new news that Al has been working on a stadium for a number of years here,” said Semple. “When I look at Currie Field where they’re playing today, obviously there’s enhancements that can be made (but) when you look at the other teams that are in the league and what investments that are happening there, obviously a new stadium is required to really engage the fans, provide them with the environment and so on. “At this point, we’re willing to invest in the new stadium and help the city bring that about.” Originally founded in 1913, the Red Sox are Canada’s oldest baseball franchise according to the club. Currently, the team plays at Currie Field, a ballpark built in 1968 that features 420 seats and an additional room for 350 in the bleachers. In 2021, the Red Sox released concept plans for a 3,500-seat baseball stadium to be built in the rail yards along Dewdney Avenue in Regina. The price tag for the project was estimated to be between $22 million and $25 million.

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Article content “From a fan perspective, we’re going to do everything we can and provide all the resources the team needs to ensure that they have a world-class experience each time they come,” said Semple. “We can do it in the current stadium but in a new stadium, I think we can do a lot more. “I think Al and I are both willing to invest in a new stadium ourselves with some private investment and not asking the city to do it all.” Next week, a new feasibility study for a new ballpark is expected to be released. “The project is moving along as the project is moving along,” said Simpson. “I think the significant change is that, as Shaun mentioned, there’s a willingness amongst him and I to actually work on it and see if something can get done.” tshire@postmedia.com Read More Regina Red Sox unveil concept for new Dewdney Avenue baseball stadium Regina Red Sox getting back their best players from last year’s first-place squad The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.

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