WINNIPEG - Investors Group Field (33,422)

[swaugh3]

http://www.blueandgold.ca/

Stadium & Multi-Sport Complex Achieves Major Milestone

April 2, 2009 – Construction of world-class athletic and recreation venues at the University of Manitoba (UM), including a new stadium for both the Blue Bombers and the Bisons, took another major step forward today following the signing of key agreements.

The financial core of the deal includes a $100 million plus private sector investment that significantly alleviates the load on taxpayers due to the retail development and economic engine at Polo Park. The project will also provide an important economic stimulus for Manitoba in terms of creating an estimated 1,468 person-years of employment and $26.2 million in new tax revenues. Signed agreements will provide for:

* $35 million in joint support from the Government of Canada and Province of Manitoba. Federal funding will be strictly limited to the amateur and community sport venues
* Acquisition of Winnipeg Blue Bombers with change in ownership slated for early 2010
* Multi-year land lease by UM, subject to final approval by its Board of Governors
* Sale of existing stadium site at fair market value, subject to final approval by City Council

The exhaustive team effort, which follows two years of negotiations, clears the way for final approvals by City Council and the UM Board of Governors. It will also allow Creswin to tackle the final challenge of securing retail tenants for the project’s sister development at Polo Park.

“We’re at third and goal thanks to the determination of all our partners,” said David Asper, “plus we have an outstanding short yardage team at Creswin that will push us to victory.”

The retail marketing, leasing and financing phase, already underway, will conclude in September and be followed by financing and construction tendering with closing of the deal as early as February 2010. Other anticipated key dates in the project timeline include:

* Final stadium architectural and engineering design process – immediate
* New stadium site preparation and landscaping work – fall 2009
* Shovels in ground on new stadium – spring 2010
* Construction of phase 1 retail at existing site – spring 2010
* Stadium construction substantially complete – spring 2011
* Demolition of existing stadium site and construction of phase 2 retail – spring 2011
* Opening of new stadium – football season 2011
* Substantial completion of phase 3 retail at existing site – summer 2013

COMMUNITY INTEREST FULLY PROTECTED:

The community will be protected by a Community Interest Agreement (CIA) guaranteeing the team’s home in Winnipeg, in perpetuity. To represent the community and ensure all agreements are adhered to, a not-for-profit corporation entitled the Winnipeg Football Club Stakeholders (WFCS) has been established with its Board consisting of two members each from the Province, City, WFC and Creswin.

The WFCS will be the ultimate owner of the new stadium and will have, as its mandate, the authority to provide broad oversight and monitoring of the new facilities and corporate structure to ensure the Bombers stay in Winnipeg and operate as a community-minded organization.

“We are pleased to support this project,” said Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. “When the overall development is complete, it will be a huge vote of confidence in our economy and will ensure the Bombers stay a strong and active part of our community and national identity.”

Ken Hildahl, Chair of the Board of the Winnipeg Football Club echoed the Premier’s comments. “Once finalized, this opens up a whole new era of stability and prominence for the Blue Bombers in Manitoba and across Canada,” he said. “During these lengthy negotiations, we believe we have served the community well with agreements that ensure the Bombers forever remain a lasting legacy, right here in Winnipeg.”

BEST IN CLASS ATHLETIC FACILITIES:

Once complete, the facilities, which include the new stadium, refurbished University Stadium and new fitness centre, will be transformational for the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus according to President, Dr. David Barnard.

“In terms of critical mass, this development will allow us to build on the strengths of the Max Bell Centre, Investors Group Athletic Centre and new indoor soccer complex,” he said,
“and help transform the University into a year-round sport and recreation destination. This will position us as a leader in athletic and community development across Canada and provide many synergistic opportunities for our institution, our students and the community.”

Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said a new stadium and additional sports venues are long overdue. “Not only will Winnipeggers benefit tremendously from these new facilities that guarantee a future home for our Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” he said, “but the new retail at the existing site is projected to generate millions annually in new municipal taxes. I’d say that’s a win-win for all.”

In closing, Asper reflected on the more than two year journey since he initially presented the Board of the WFC with a proposal to construct a new stadium. “While we won’t be able to call the new facility ‘the house that Jack built’, one thing is for sure – when it happens, it’ll have a new name - ‘the house we all built’.”

The new 30,000 seat, fan-friendly stadium (expandable to 45,000 seats) will be constructed on a 20 acre site within the sports precinct at the intersection of University Crescent and Chancellor Matheson Drive at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus.

[KingmanIII]

About damn time, WPG!

CanadInns is a hole, plain and simple.

[Jericho-79]

^Agreed.

[isaidso]

The present Winnipeg Bluebomber stadium:



The new home of the Winnipeg Bluebombers and University of Manitoba Bisons football teams:







Bombers!



Bisons!



http://www.astroturfusa.com/resource...peg_Canada.jpg
http://www.destinationwinnipeg.ca/up...in.file_15.jpg
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/...9O0eG/610x.jpg

[www.sercan.de]

weired 2nd tier
http://www.blueandgold.ca/images/stories/site.jpg

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by www.sercan.de

weired 2nd tier
http://www.blueandgold.ca/images/stories/site.jpg

The lower bowl is a sunken bowl. I believe the gaps in the upper bowl reveal the ground level concourse that wraps around the stadium. It also allows for capacity upgrades for playoff games and for hosting a Grey Cup.

This stadium is expandable to 45,000 seats from 30,000.

[Jim856796]

How is the new Blue Bombers Stadium expandable to 45,000?

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

How is the new Blue Bombers Stadium expandable to 45,000?

I'd like to know too, but they don't seem to be making that information public. I searched for about 3 hours trying to get some details, but I couldn't find any. Judging by the images released so far, 15,000 seats would entail a 50% increase in capacity. I don't see where they are going to put that amount of seating unless what is shown represents 45,000.

[KingmanIII]

Originally Posted by isaidso

I'd like to know too, but they don't seem to be making that information public. I searched for about 3 hours trying to get some details, but I couldn't find any. Judging by the images released so far, 15,000 seats would entail a 50% increase in capacity. I don't see where they are going to put that amount of seating unless what is shown represents 45,000.

Wasn't the original capacity to be 40,000?

[Benn]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

How is the new Blue Bombers Stadium expandable to 45,000?

I would guess that implied upper deck includes the 45,000 seat expansion, keep in mind how big a CFL field is.

[TEBC]

it hosted panam 99

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by KingmanIII

Wasn't the original capacity to be 40,000?

I believe so.

[Marbur66]

Very funky stadium. I like it.

[isaidso]

The official sod turning ceremony occurred on May 20th. Looks like Winnipeg will get its new football stadium after all. Capacity will be 33,000 expandable to 40,000 for big events like the Grey Cup. Here are renders of the final design:



photos courtesy of blueandgold.ca

The seating plan still calls for the a complete lower bowl below grade, and an upper tier running between the end zones. I imagine the extra 7,000 seats will be attained by adding seats in this upper bowl in the end zone areas.

[Google1998]

yes, funky or strange... i like modern stadiums, but instead of this it is better even a classic one! the designer was pretty drunk when he made it or was a woman... what is that? an umbrella? )

[Marvo]

Whats the latest on this stadium? Anybody in Winnipeg with a camera?

[carnifex2005]

Originally Posted by Marvo

Whats the latest on this stadium? Anybody in Winnipeg with a camera?

This thread should be in the Under Construction tab. Excavation for the bowl has started...

http://www.blueandgold.ca/

[Sagaris]

Id rather they didn't build this stadium. They are building it where the outdoor soccer fields and tennis courts at UofM used to be. And they aren't building new fields until next year at a location farther from the core of the university.

I think it'll be an eyesore as well.

[Calvin W]

Originally Posted by Sagaris

Id rather they didn't build this stadium. They are building it where the outdoor soccer fields and tennis courts at UofM used to be. And they aren't building new fields until next year at a location farther from the core of the university.

I think it'll be an eyesore as well.

Yep good reason to not build a stadium? Just be thankful Winnipeg IS getting a stadium.

[Sagaris]

Originally Posted by Calvin W

Yep good reason to not build a stadium? Just be thankful Winnipeg IS getting a stadium.

Why should I be thankful? I have no interest in the Blue Bombers or american football whatsoever. I'd rather them build it farther away from me so I wouldn't have to care.