Big news came down the pipes on Wednesday as the Moose Jaw Warriors announced, in partnership with the DFFH board, that they will be investing a large amount of money into upgrades at Mosaic Place. 

More specifically, they'll be putting in new boards and glass around the rink for a price tag of $446,313. This new CrystalPlex dasher board system was not only a want, but a need for the local rink. 

The downtown hockey facility is one of just three rinks in the entire Western Hockey League that has not installed a new board system that can help to limit the risk of concussions. All facilities are supposed to have switched over to the new system by the 2019-2020 season. 

"When you look at head injuries in particular, shoulder injuries, going hard into the boards, this system is softer, it has more flex, it has more give, and is certainly a benefit to the safety of our players which is certainly very important to our hockey club," explained General Manager for the Warriors, Allan Millar. 

"The safety for the players in this new system will benefit our WHL players, but also all users of Mosaic Place. We're happy to have this partnership and we're happy to make the investment into the building, and into the community."

It was just Monday night at City Council that the upgrades were given the green light, and Millar said they aren't wasting any time installing the new boards and glass.

"If everything goes well it'll be completed by August 6th, but certainly it'll be done in time for our training camp which opens on August 22nd. It'll be in this summer and it'll be ready to go for the upcoming WHL season."

Millar also noted that this renovation has plenty of benefits other than the important safety ones. It will be easier to put together and take down for concerts and will be more enjoyable for hockey fans who visit Mosaic Place.