New Winnipeg Blue Bombers Stadium
Encyclopedia
New Winnipeg Blue Bombers Stadium is an approved football stadium planned for Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, Canada
.
The stadium is being built on the grounds of the University of Manitoba
campus at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Road and University Crescent next to the existing University Stadium. This facility will be the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
of the Canadian Football League
and the Manitoba Bisons. Capacity will be 33,422 (partially covered) seats and the playing field will be covered in the winter, allowing year-round recreational use.
However, Asper and Creswin were removed from the deal as they made significant changes to the stadium design which broke the original contract agreement. The total will now come to $190 million with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers paying back $85 million and the provincial and city levels of government splitting the rest of the costs as proposed earlier.
seasons. It will have a 33,422 seating capacity with expansion for over 40,000 seats for larger events such as the Grey Cup
. The CFL has also stated that, with the new stadium, Winnipeg will be guaranteed to host a Grey Cup.
Site excavation began in September 2010 and construction on the lower bowl began in December of that year. As of March 26, 2011, the stadium continues to be on schedule for its opening for the 2012 CFL season.
, a Winnipeg based hotel business and current naming rights holder for the Blue Bomber's existing stadium, forwarded a plan to redevelop the entire site for commercial use and construct a football stadium for the Blue Bombers in another location. This proposal was rejected in favour of Asper's plan.
The board of the football team itself has investigated the possibility of rebuilding or substantially upgrading the existing stadium, largely with funds generated from sale or lease of the adjacent commercial lands (The team holds the right to develop this property itself as part of its refinancing agreement with the City & Province). Being a community owned business, however, the Bombers organization would have difficulty in accessing the capital required to move forward with such plans directly. The board agreed to place such plans on hold pending the outcome of Asper's proposal.
With the government unwilling to grant Asper the $40 million at both the provincial and federal level which they say is more of a gift then a grant. They have drawn up a second proposal, where the same 30,000-40,000-seat stadium would be built instead in south Point Douglas. This new plan, they say, would greatly aid in urban renewal in what is the poorest neighbourhood in Winnipeg. There are also a state-of-the-art water park & hotel, commercial buildings, and several other new buildings in the multimillion dollar proposal. However there is controversy here as well since south Point Douglas is an avid art community, many of the residents don't want their character buildings to be destroyed, or at the loss of their home. Even with poor road access in and out, and also parking being of concern.
On September 13, 2008, a letter of intent was signed between Asper's Creswin Properties and the University of Manitoba, allowing planning to continue for a stadium at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Drive and University Crescent. The site is adjacent to the current University Stadium, which was built for the 1967 Pan American Games. The new proposal includes the construction of a 30,000-seat stadium, renovation of the existing stadium, and a world-class fitness facility. Inflatable 'bubbles' covering the playing field will also be made available in both stadiums during the winter months. The new stadium would also be home of the University of Manitoba Bisons Football team. The design allows for expansion to 40,000 seats for the Grey Cup
. On March 31, 2010 the province of Manitoba agreed to loan David Asper $90 million in order to guarantee that the project would put shovels into the ground in 2010 and ensure that the stadium would open for 2012.
commissioner Mark Cohon
, Premier Greg Selinger, David Asper
, and Mayor Sam Katz
and U of M President David Barnard officially broke ground at the site on May 20, 2010.
The stadium is expected to be ready for the 2012 CFL season.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The stadium is being built on the grounds of the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
campus at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Road and University Crescent next to the existing University Stadium. This facility will be the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and the Manitoba Bisons. Capacity will be 33,422 (partially covered) seats and the playing field will be covered in the winter, allowing year-round recreational use.
Financial details
As indicated in the references below, Asper's proposal involved both Federal and Provincial financial contributions ($40 Million each), as well as a transfer of assets (the publicly owned Blue Bomber franchise itself will be transferred into Asper's control, and the existing undeveloped commercial real estate surrounding the stadium). As part of Creswin's commitment to the project, Asper pledged to contribute $65 Million toward the Maroons Road development. In addition to stadium construction, the Asper proposal included 217000 sq ft (20,160 m²) of retail development and a two level parking facility.However, Asper and Creswin were removed from the deal as they made significant changes to the stadium design which broke the original contract agreement. The total will now come to $190 million with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers paying back $85 million and the provincial and city levels of government splitting the rest of the costs as proposed earlier.
Status
The stadium was approved on 2 April 2009. On March 31, 2010 it was announced by the three levels of government that the stadium will begin construction in May 2010 and should be completed in time for the 2012 CFL and CISCIS football
Twenty-six universities across Canada compete in football under the auspices of Canadian Interuniversity Sport . The teams are divided into four conferences, drawing from the four regional associations of the CIS: Canada West Universities Athletic Association, Ontario University Athletics, Quebec...
seasons. It will have a 33,422 seating capacity with expansion for over 40,000 seats for larger events such as the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
. The CFL has also stated that, with the new stadium, Winnipeg will be guaranteed to host a Grey Cup.
Site excavation began in September 2010 and construction on the lower bowl began in December of that year. As of March 26, 2011, the stadium continues to be on schedule for its opening for the 2012 CFL season.
Stadium options
Other developers have expressed interest in the commercial lands surrounding the stadium. The owners of Canad InnsCanad Inns
Canad Inns is a chain of hotels headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The company operates nine hotel properties in the province of Manitoba and one in the U.S. state of North Dakota. In 2000, Canad Inns was named one of "Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies". In 2010 Canad Inns was named one...
, a Winnipeg based hotel business and current naming rights holder for the Blue Bomber's existing stadium, forwarded a plan to redevelop the entire site for commercial use and construct a football stadium for the Blue Bombers in another location. This proposal was rejected in favour of Asper's plan.
The board of the football team itself has investigated the possibility of rebuilding or substantially upgrading the existing stadium, largely with funds generated from sale or lease of the adjacent commercial lands (The team holds the right to develop this property itself as part of its refinancing agreement with the City & Province). Being a community owned business, however, the Bombers organization would have difficulty in accessing the capital required to move forward with such plans directly. The board agreed to place such plans on hold pending the outcome of Asper's proposal.
With the government unwilling to grant Asper the $40 million at both the provincial and federal level which they say is more of a gift then a grant. They have drawn up a second proposal, where the same 30,000-40,000-seat stadium would be built instead in south Point Douglas. This new plan, they say, would greatly aid in urban renewal in what is the poorest neighbourhood in Winnipeg. There are also a state-of-the-art water park & hotel, commercial buildings, and several other new buildings in the multimillion dollar proposal. However there is controversy here as well since south Point Douglas is an avid art community, many of the residents don't want their character buildings to be destroyed, or at the loss of their home. Even with poor road access in and out, and also parking being of concern.
On September 13, 2008, a letter of intent was signed between Asper's Creswin Properties and the University of Manitoba, allowing planning to continue for a stadium at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Drive and University Crescent. The site is adjacent to the current University Stadium, which was built for the 1967 Pan American Games. The new proposal includes the construction of a 30,000-seat stadium, renovation of the existing stadium, and a world-class fitness facility. Inflatable 'bubbles' covering the playing field will also be made available in both stadiums during the winter months. The new stadium would also be home of the University of Manitoba Bisons Football team. The design allows for expansion to 40,000 seats for the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
. On March 31, 2010 the province of Manitoba agreed to loan David Asper $90 million in order to guarantee that the project would put shovels into the ground in 2010 and ensure that the stadium would open for 2012.
Ground Breaking
Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
commissioner Mark Cohon
Mark Cohon
Mark Steven Cohon is the Canadian Football League's 12th Commissioner. The son of McDonald's of Canada founder George Cohon, he was appointed in 2007 succeeding Tom Wright....
, Premier Greg Selinger, David Asper
David Asper
David Asper is a Canadian businessman and lawyer. He is the former Executive Vice President of the Canadian media company CanWest Global Communications Corp. He is also a Professor at the Robson Hall Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba.Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Asper is the eldest son...
, and Mayor Sam Katz
Sam Katz
Samuel Michael Katz, OM is the 42nd mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is also a businessperson and a member of the Order of Manitoba.- Life before mayorship :...
and U of M President David Barnard officially broke ground at the site on May 20, 2010.
The stadium is expected to be ready for the 2012 CFL season.