Investors Group Field | Winnipeg
 

I heard that David Asper will be making his presentation tommorow for a new stadium at the Polo Park Location. It is to include various commercial and retail concepts.

Knowing the Aspers, this project proposal will be very special. This new stadium centre may extend to the new Polo Park expansion. Then again I may have misheard .... we will have to wait and see. The complexities of this deal are still on going.

Would this mean then that it may be built on the same site as CanadInn Stadium; meaning tearing down the old one and starting from scratch?

It sounds that way.

I'm also praying that there will be an increase in seating capacity :notacrook:

I heard it will have a capacity between 28000 and 30000 fixed seats, but will have a large number of private and corporate boxes.... but anyways I shouldn't be disclosing too much yet.

Tommorow gents!!

………………...

well why don't the aspers just put up the rest of the money for the meuseam.......

does Winnipeg getting the posibility of a new stadium have anything to do with Canada's bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup?? I know Vancouver's new soccer stadium does.

just some food for thought.

aww that would be sweet :slob:

looks sweeeet to me
read my posts from today fp on winnipeg thread.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...123084&page=13

renders
 

http://www.mts.net/~fengshui/images/stadium3.jpg

http://www.mts.net/~fengshui/images/...%20stadium.jpg

So who is the architect that came up with the design?

It doesn't looked sized for a soccer pitch, but who knows as this early stage. Winnipeg should be careful not to miss an opportunity, either with MLS, which seems on the upswing lately, or as part of Canada's bid for the World Cup in 2018.

Breaking News


Free Press Exclusive: A new Blue super structure
Asper prepared to contribute $40 million toward $120-M stadium

Sun Jan 14 2007

By Ed Tait | Winnipeg Free Press

BUSINESS mogul David Asper will huddle up with the Winnipeg Blue Bomber board of directors Sunday afternoon to pitch his plan to take the club private and help fund a new stadium.
The Free Press has obtained a copy of Asper's confidential proposal, including the architectural drawings and a 2 1/2-minute promotional DVD that will be shown to the Bomber board.

And while all the details will be released later Sunday after his meeting with the club's executives, The Free Press has also learned the plan calls for an injection of $40 million of Asper's money toward a new $120-million facility.

It would also include $40 million from both the federal and provincial governments and the donation of the land from the city -- Asper is said to have had informal discussions with all three political representatives from all three levels -- and would be built on the current site at Polo Park.

If his proposal is agreed on by the Bomber directors, construction on the facility would begin this fall, replace the existing 54-year-old Canad Inns Stadium and be completed in time for the 2008 Canadian Football League season.

A private corporation would then run the football club and the on-site retail/commercial aspect of the plan, scheduled to begin in 2008. It would also mean the end of the Bombers' 76-plus years of community ownership. The team has been run by a non-profit organization managed by a board of directors since its inception in 1930.

Asper would not comment on any aspect of his plan when reached at his Winnipeg home Saturday night, choosing instead "to respect the process.

"I'm disappointed that information continues to come out in bits and pieces," said Asper. "I look forward to presenting the entire proposal from top to bottom to the board (Sunday)."

The glitzy promotional DVD clearly outlines Asper's vision for the future of the football team, the centrepiece of which would be a "world-class stadium" that would serve as a "rallying point" a "sense of community spirit" and a "place of national pride."

While stressing the need for a new facility, the video also makes reference to the number of community benefits and the overwhelming success of the MTS Centre -- the home of the Manitoba Moose -- and how it was built through a private-public community partnership.

It also includes some of the new features of the stadium and how it could be constructed without interrupting use of the current facility through the 2007 season.

A key component of the Asper plan is the retail/commercial development that would spring up on-site along Empress Street. Revenue from those sources could be a lifeblood for the franchise, which has been seeking out new income streams for years to make it less dependent on ticket revenue from its 10 home dates per season.

Ironically, the Asper proposal comes at a time when the franchise is in its healthiest position in decades. As recently as 2000, the franchise was $5.4 million in debt and teetering on bankruptcy. But the Bombers expect to make roughly $2.5 million from playing host to the Grey Cup last November, a figure which would wipe out its debt -- $697,882 heading into the 2006 season.

The Bomber board is said to be ready to put out a call for proposals for commercial development and solicit interest from other potential private investors, but Asper is the only party to step forward to date.

Fans could stroll down a Blue Bomber Hall of Fame Walk.
The Asper plan does call for the Bomber board to make an expedited decision within the next few months so that, if accepted, the deal can be closed and construction on the new stadium can begin this year.

A source who will be involved in Sunday's meeting said the Bomber board will listen intently to the Asper plan. In fact, the source said it could be met positively by the Bomber board, some of whom are concerned that without a private partner stepping forward a new facility will never be built.

Asper's promotional DVD concludes with this message:

"It's all here and it's all doable -- together. The new Blue and a new state-of-the-art stadium fresh for kickoff in 2008. A chance to construct a landmark and grow a winning dynasty. It's time to show our true blue colours and make sure it happens today. A new stadium, retail development and a team, stronger than ever.

"It's the only way to ensure a stable future for the Bombers and a winning reputation for Winnipeg."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca



Grey Cup Championship first down markers would be on display.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The stadium





Location: Essentially the same as the current facility, Canad Inns Stadium, although the West side grandstand would now adjunct St. James Avenue with parking and the retail/commercial development on the East side, facing Empress Street.

Seating: 30,000-40,000; partially covered.

Amenities: 24 private suites; 13 concession areas; 'Bomber Fan Fare' transit terminal; main entrance would face north on St. Matthews Avenue; Blue Bomber Hall of Fame Walk to honour players and builders; Blue Bomber interactive sculptures to honour the franchise and its great players; 'True Blue' fan interactive sculptures celebrating the team's diehard supporters; virtual advertising ring outside the stadium; JumboTrons at both north and south ends.

Parking: Plans call for a 2,100-space, two-floor parkade on-site as well as ground-level spaces on the East side between the stadium and proposed retail development.

Traffic flow: The designs call for the construction of an overhead exit ramp that would take traffic over St. James Street west toward Ness Avenue via an extension of St. Matthews Avenue.

The timeline: Phase 1: Construction would begin on the new West side immediately, without interruption to the current facility during 2007 CFL season.

Phase 2: After the '07 season, the existing East side and playing surface would be demolished to make way for the new grandstand. Stadium would then be ready for the opening of the 2008 CFL season.

Phase 3: Commercial and retail development to begin on East side facing Empress Street in 2008.

-- Ed Tait





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OWNERSHIP MODELS





COMMUNITY VERSUS PRIVATE

Background: The community-owned Winnipeg Football Club began operation in 1930 following the amalgamation of the teams in the Manitoba Rugby Union. It has been community-owned in the 76 years since.

HOW THE BOMBERS MAKE MONEY NOW

In the team's last financial statement (for the year 2005), the Bombers spent $6.6 million on football operations (player/coach salaries, scouting etc.), $2.56 million on marketing and administration and $1.03 million on stadium occupancy.

Those expenses were offset by $3.7 million in ticket revenue; $1.1 million from the Canadian Football League; $4.23 million in revenue generated from corporate sponsorships and $385,436 from stadium management. The team also generated $290,312 from community support and fundraising.

Bottom line: a loss of $480,094.

HOW THE BOMBERS WOULD MAKE MONEY UNDER ASPER'S PLAN

The revenue from game-day would likely increase from the interest in a new facility; CFL revenues are to boost with increase corporate sponsorship and a new TV deal; other revenue -- corporate sponsorship, merchandising, etc. -- would expected to be at least the same.

The commercial/real estate component could be worth a ton given the traffic that flows through the Polo Park area, but is difficult to put a value on not knowing lease agreements and who the tenants are may be.


-Ed Tait.

I like this stadium plan, but what I REALLY want to vote for is your sig. :tup:

This stadium would definately put Winnipeg at the top of the food chain as far as stadiums go in Canada. Its not the largest, but the quality of complex would surpass all the other CFL stadiums.

I am very impresses!!! It would be a great addition to Winnipeg's other top notch sporting facilities. Winnipeg is very fortunate to have the Aspers. :tup:

The Aspers are the largest private donar to this museum but they strongly believe it should be a community investment with a great deal of community support.. but they have taken the lead and have put up a large sum of there private money and effort to make it happen.

The Aspers didn't cancel the 40 million dollar building.. the shareholders with the board of directors questioned the value to the company. It was a Canwest project.. spending Canwest money.

Both the museum and this proposed stadium are not Canwest investments. These projects are from the Aspers private money, which is considerable.

I would also not call the stadium a charity... with the retail componant it should be able to make a small profit. Of course this is more of a $40M investment in the city of Winnipeg. Just as there has been many other projects funded by the Aspers for the benefit of our city.

It is very irresponsible to sugest the Aspers are all talk and no action. Have you even read a newspaper over the last 10 years. They have commited funds to many Winnipeg organizations and institutions.

These "no action" people have put endless hours and millions of there own money to make the musuem, which is a pure charity, to add to Winnipeg's cultural attractiveness. It is there attempt to add some big city quality to this slow prarie city.

Your post is beyond ridiculous.

I think TV's firm may have backed the wrong horse this time, so he might be a little bitter...

That looks great. Good on you Peg.

The stadium looks a little cheap in the renderings, but that may just be a preliminary thing. Either way, they better make this thing flexible for soccer as well...I'd rather not have Winnipeg with two new sports complexes that are too small for the big time.

Excuse my ignorance but what are the demensions of a soccer field?

I notice there is very little surface parking compared to other stadiums.

FIFA requirements are 100-130 yards long by 50-100 yards wide, which is a big variation. Typical international size is 110 x 70 yards or 120 x 75.

Football fields in Canada are 110 x 65. It's an issue of widening an extra 10 yards and having room beyond that for the sidelines, and much easier done in Canada than the US, where the field is quite a bit narrower. Length isn't an issue due to the large size end zones.

It should be doable.

I was extremely happy when I got to read through the (early stages) of the proposal in today's Free Press. The Aspers are outstanding in this community.

As far as Winnipeg "missing out ont the big time"... We are not a "big time" city. I completely believe in dreaming big, and being the best we can be, but I don't think having a sporting franchise that competes with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, etc. is the definition of "arriving as a city".

If we could get this stadium and the new museum built, it would be fantastic to the city. Two iconic structures (museum much more so then the stadium ...but as newflyer said, it would easily be best CFL complex out there) of this magnitude would look good in what I (maybe over-optimistically) would like to call a re-born Winnipeg.

...Of course, I'd support any new sporting franchise coming to Winnipeg ...but I just don't think Winnipeg could come close to giving anything near an adequate level of support for an MLS franchise.

Not to get too off-topic, but current fan support in the MLS is not that big - any city that could get 10,000 - 20,000 fans per game would be considered. Franchise fees are $15million I believe. With Beckham arriving, now is the time to think about this.

And even if the MLS is a bit of a dream (as in the Jets will return someday), we've already missed out as a city on the World Cup U-20 this year because there is no facility here. I just hope ANY design for a new stadium considers FIFA requirements, just in case.

This proposal looks amazing. I'm very happy that this happened and not the toilet bowl near the Ex. This is probably the best thing that could have happened, but I'm still going to be picky. I think they should add a mixed-use component to the nearby retail and they could do without that flyover.

As for MLS, this wouldn't be a soccer specific stadium, though the dimensions are close enough that they might accept it. It would also be one of the largest stadiums at around nearly 30,000, and if they would have to change the pitch everytime they switched to soccer (I don't want to see any football grid when I watch a soccer game!) That said there's also the concern that there is enough a fan base in Winnipeg - a lot people are involved in soccer, but would 20,000 pay to watch it? In a few years maybe

I think the next expansion franchises are going to be San Jose, Vancouver and Rochester.

Looks Awesome! Congratulations Winnipeg!

Given that a CFL flield is essensially exactly the same size as a regulation soccer pitch, this could not possibly be a problem

newfie, youre right...i shouldnt have been so harsh...the aspers are great philanthropists...my comments were about their grand construction projects, which are 0 for 2 so far.

no bitterness here....if winnipeg gets a new stadium, i am happy...my boss may think otherwise....i dont like working on huge projects like that anyways...

i have to say that i am still skeptical about the motive....this is basically a 40 million dollar charitable donation....i am looking for the reasoning.

the only thing i can think of is that the retail component, which seems to be built with the $120m becomes part of the asper portfolio and he projects the revenue from that will pay back his money.

i wonder if the government will balk at paying to build a retail development for a private investor.

as a side note, that drawing is not of a $120m stadium, especially if you include the retail component.

this is what is being built in toronto for 70 million (20 000 seats)

http://web.mlsnet.com/t280/imgs/stad..._rendering.jpg

that being said, the drawings are cool (are they ray wan rent-a-renderings?).....it sure would be great to have a new stadium....and that location is certainly a good one.

if it is just a donation to the city, i would rather he put that money into the museum to be honest, but hopefully they both work out....

The supporting structure for the roof panels makes a reference to the esplanade riel, which is a bit interesting. Maybe a coincidence. Esplanade was Gaboury, right?

And yes VOR, after researching a bit about international soccer pitches, I don't think that will be a concern. Missed the WC U-20s by one year if they actually get this built by 2008.

wtf are the priorities of the aspers? in refrince to the museam... and such


anyhow ours will pwn torontos :D

This stadium would be around for a good 30 years....a lot of things can happen in that time. Winnipeg needs to make sure that it doesn't make the same mistake as it did with MTS, and build a smaller rink beecause they assumed the NHL market would never change again to support Winnipeg (something that might still be a very hard sell, but today Winnipeg is a lot more viable than it was even 3 years ago).

If it can support MLS or a future international soccer game, great. Better safe than sorry.

I think this new stadium design is quite elegant. Any word on whether it will be artificial or real grass?

It will be interesting to see how the tensioned fabric roof behaves with snow/wind loads in -30C temps... I hope they get a beefy warranty on the fabric ;).

I really hope this project goes through, but it does seem a bit grandiose in places. That elevated exit ramp will NEVER happen, and I think it's odd they even bothered with it in the proposal. My money is on that being the first thing dropped when the design gets more finalized.

I certainly am not holding my breath in anticipation for this to be built, but I'm glad to hear that talk of a new stadium now calls for it to be built on its current site, which is Winnipeg's optimal location for a large football stadium.

My post in the regular Winnipeg construction thread didn't go into much detail other than the fact that I hate it and hope it's not the final design (and I think people are just excited about it just because we really need a new stadium and will take anything that might possibly get built at this point)

Now, they say it's partially covered, but if you look at it, it won't protect you from anything Winnipeg will throw at you. I think the blue arches look neat, but would rather have some sort of material between the arches acting as protection from the elements. And they could have two smaller gold arches on the other side, that'd look neat perhaps.

Another thing I don't like is that it doesn't look expandable or upgradable. If it's going to be built I'd like for such options to be left open.

I also feel that the ballpark and mts centre do a good job of integrating into their surroundings, offering excellent concessions and places to mingle with other fans. This stadium doesn't seem to let people explore, it just seems to be a bunch of seats, and stairs, like the current stadium, and in the same location while serviceable Doesn't offer much of a view.

Those are my impressions. I hope if Asper gets his way they at least work on the design to reflect the city more and also think more about why the current arena and ballpark are liked. (I think the people also got to give a lot of input into those facilities as well, poll the bomber fans in the city for a concensus. Don't just build the first thing you come up with)

theres a vidio of the stadium on http://www.blueandgold.ca

david asper is puting up 65million not 40 and the stadium will cost 140 million not 120

The stadium portion is 120 the remiander covers the retail portion.. for a total cost of 145Mill.

The retail portion will be covered completely by Asper, including the parkade. The Stadium portion which will be intragated with the retail portion will be covered by Asper and the Gov't. From what I have heard the Feds and the province are supportive of the concept, but will wait until the Bombers deside what they want to annouce any support, as not to add any influence.

Asper has conducted feasabilty studies I can assure you. He has stated that he does expect this project to be profitable.

With that said it is also about a family who wants to invest there money into there home city. This is also the reason why the musuem is being funded by a large sum of there money. The musuem will never be profitable, but it is a big city attraction which the Aspers wanted Winnipeg to have. Its a gift.. pure and simple. They have a great deal of money and want to put it towards Winnipegs's benefit.

The same goes for the Asper medical reseach institute... the Asper School of business ... the Lyric Stage at Assinaboine park.... none of which will garner one single dollar of return to the Asper family. Its all to improve Winnipeg's quality of life. This also does not cover the significant support to a series of other organizations they support.. of which have no return beyond making the city a better place to live.

This stadium will make a minimal profit, most of which I'd expect to be funneled into other community projects.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4...bombersbj3.png
http://209.97.223.41/BlueandGold/med...ial-p-view.jpg
http://209.97.223.41/BlueandGold/medb-day-1012.jpg
http://209.97.223.41/BlueandGold/med...ial-b-view.jpg

Check out www.blueandgold.ca There's a video of the stadium design and more info.

Thats excellent, Id like to see a 50 thou stadium though:tup: Congrats to the Peg:notacrook:

It looks better from this vantage point (the one we all end up seing :) )

still, I just can't get over the minimal effort to protect the fans from the elements. This IS Winnipeg after all.

1337

As a season ticket holder, I can only remember a few games over the last few years where one even needed to be protected from the elements. Most games are in 25 degree weather, with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 late season games. I would much rather watch a game in the sun, in the fresh summer air, than in a shaded, covered dome...

Hooray! A New Stadium!
 

To be honest, I am not a football fan, but I am a believer of Winnipeg! Those pictures above look wicked better than the originals! I live less than 10 minutes from the current stadium and anything/any investment is welcomed by me. Traffic will have to be better managed though (especially during Saturdays and Sundays), perhaps a partnership between Asper/Blue Bombers, Polo Park and the City? I was a bit disappointed when the proposed stadium "OUTSIDE Winnipeg but for Winnipeg" was "left alone", but I'm all in ditching that plan in favour of this one. Sam Katz (Mayor) won't have an excuse this time to not "help", since this time it's "IN Winnipeg for Winnipeg"! I have yet to see the video, but I shall do that right after this.

Yes, but you're already going even with the current stadium. However, most people are not so forgiving as you are of weather conditions for a variety of reasons. Especially out of towners attending grey cup games in -40 weather. I'm not saying it has to be a covered dome, but clearly something more than whats been presented needs to be done to protect from the elements.

i wouldnt hold my breath for natural grass...even our supposed national soccer specific stadium in toronto is plastic....the only one in the MLS.

winnipeg needs more billionairres.....keep going aspers...get that museum built too!

now we need to convince the richardsons to buy an NHL team to keep pace with their rivals.

Here's hoping you get it built, Winnipeg... and set a precedent for the rest of the league.

I'd have no problem buying Stamps season tickets if they'd build something worth sitting in... untill that day, I'll keep spending my money flying to Houston, Seattle and Denver to watch live football games!

Perhaps the whole lack of parking concept is meant to encourage people to use transit, but then again...................................maybe just bad planning for that aspect of the project is more likely.

Otherwise, kick-ass is what it is. You know it's of great quality when those from Canada's other large centres are praising Winnipeg lol

I like the location, the design is ok (what do i know about design), but am i looking at it right? Does that retail NOT have a huge parking lot in front of it? Good lord. Is that allowed in Polo Park-land?