The clock is ticking for any companies that feel they could run Mosaic Place. 

Currently, the City of Moose Jaw has an RFP or a Request For Proposal open to interested parties to run the local entertainment venue in our downtown core. One point of interest in the document is that the third party company is expected to work in partnership with our city staff. City Manager Jim Puffalt said it was written that way because both sides will need to have a common goal and will need to cooperate with each other on potential future

endeavors they would like to see for Mosaic Place.

"We had to make sure there were some checks and balances on our system; we can't just give some company the keys to the building and say 'go'. We have to ensure that we are watching some of the things that are happening there, we're making sure the maintenance is getting completed, we have some oversight on the concerts that are coming in because in the end the City is responsible for the facility, so we need to have some checks and balances on it."

Puffalt also noted that they don't have a specific list of criteria for those who respond to the RFP; however, someone with insight into the entertainment industry would definitely be of benefit.

"The specialized skill that you need is the ability to attract and bring major concerts to the facilities and then be able to run the show because again that is a lot of very detailed work and honestly you're treating people like rock stars because lots of the times they are when they're coming to the facility. You have to make sure they're looked after properly so that they want to come back."

It was posted in mid-January and closes right away. In that time Puffalt said the amount of people voicing interest has been positive.

"Good, we had a lot of people, a lot of companies responded when that report was presented in November and was public. They contacted us, put their name on the list to get a copy of the RFP and then we sent it out. We're waiting 'til Friday to see what comes back and then we'll go from there."

The RFP currently states that the City is looking for a third party to book 10 to 12 concerts and major events annually, among other things.

According to the RFP, the deadline is this Friday at 2 pm.