Winnipeg | CFL Blue Bombers | Princess Auto Stadium - Page 175

rrskylar · #**3481** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 2:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrodill

$350K found to revamp inferior press box
By: Bartley Kive

On Wednesday, Winnipeg Football Club interim president and CEO Wade Miller said in a statement the Bombers are in the midst of finalizing the details of a corporate sponsorship deal that would cover the $350,000 cost of upgrading the press box.

The deal on the table would not require funds to be redirected from any of the football club's existing revenue streams. "The Winnipeg Football Club is still on target to meet its financial obligations," Miller said in a statement.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/350k-found-to-revamp-inferior-press-box-223420151.html

Comments and Thought's? I wonder if any one will even norice this post?

Glad to hear a private donor has stepped in to cover that cost but the question is why was the press box so poorly designed in the first place.

chrisallard5454 · #**3482** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 2:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Glad to hear a private donor has stepped in to cover that cost but the question is why was the press box so poorly designed in the first place.

I am sure Ray Wan or one of the 7 employees from his firm frequent this forum.

esquire · #**3483** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 2:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Glad to hear a private donor has stepped in to cover that cost but the question is why was the press box so poorly designed in the first place.

I'm sure it was well designed on paper, but the plans were scrapped in favour of what we have now in a bid to save money.

I just hope that it looks halfway decent... the broadcast booths with its mismatched windows looks like they gutted an ATCO trailer for materials. It's easily the ugliest part of an otherwise beautiful stadium, but fortunately it can be upgraded down the road without much difficulty (other than the expense).

Danny D Oh · #**3484** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 6:55 PM**

Only 350k?

bomberjet · #**3485** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 7:18 PM**

Seems like a rather small cost compared to the quarter billion dollar price tag on the stadium.

Cyro · #**3486** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

..the broadcast booths with its mismatched windows looks like they gutted an ATCO trailer for materials. It's easily the ugliest part of an otherwise beautiful stadium, but fortunately it can be upgraded down the road without much difficulty (other than the expense).

you do have a way with words,(bolded) although 350K covered by corporate sponsorship seems palatable. Still, I'll think of it as an improvement to and already fine facility.

esquire · #**3487** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 7:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Seems like a rather small cost compared to the quarter billion dollar price tag on the stadium.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrodill

you do have a way with words,(bolded) although 350K covered by corporate sponsorship seems palatable. Still, I'll think of it as an improvement to and already fine facility.

For $350K I'm assuming it's going to be a very modest, bare-bones fix. Essentially an enclosure surrounding the media space, basic mechanical and not much else. To some extent it's hard to believe that the WFC didn't see this problem coming... I know the media can be a bit whiny but it's still a bit much to expect them to do their jobs sitting outside exposed to cold fall temperatures. Even the old stadium and the old Bisons stadium offered better working conditions than that.

With a budget like that, though, I wouldn't be surprised if it this improvement was also built in an ATCO trailer-inspired style

Cyro · #**3488** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 8:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

For $350K I'm assuming it's going to be a very modest, bare-bones fix. Essentially an enclosure surrounding the media space, basic mechanical and not much else. To some extent it's hard to believe that the WFC didn't see this problem coming... I know the media can be a bit whiny but it's still a bit much to expect them to do their jobs sitting outside exposed to cold fall temperatures. Even the old stadium and the old Bisons stadium offered better working conditions than that.

With a budget like that, though, I wouldn't be surprised if it this improvement was also built in an ATCO trailer-inspired style

Damn, Now I have this picture in my mind for the new and improved press box....Let's hope not.....Although they are well heated IIRC from my experiences way back..

Source

esquire · #**3489** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 9:18 PM**

^ Cyrodill, how did you get a rendering of the new press box?

cllew · #**3490** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 9:25 PM**

Originally Posted by rrskylar
Glad to hear a private donor has stepped in to cover that cost but the question is why was the press box so poorly designed in the first place.

Considering there is very experienced media baron on the WFC board, I am surprised that this was not caught during the planning stage.

cllew · #**3491** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 9:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

I'm sure it was well designed on paper, but the plans were scrapped in favour of what we have now in a bid to save money.

I just hope that it looks halfway decent... the broadcast booths with its mismatched windows looks like they gutted an ATCO trailer for materials. It's easily the ugliest part of an otherwise beautiful stadium, but fortunately it can be upgraded down the road without much difficulty (other than the expense).

The part with the windows is probably the CJOB broadcast booth. I understand as host radio broadcaster they complained about being out in open air and this was what they were given.

bomberjet · #**3492** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 10:21 PM**

They even have the corrugated, metal exterior right!!

Cyro · #**3493** Posted **Sep 12, 2013, 10:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

^ Cyrodill, how did you get a rendering of the new press box?

Uhhh someone, who new someones friend, close to an individual on the.......It's a reputable source, really...Although significant changes will be made, (the yellow will be blue), (the lettering will change) and the Windows will be replaced but stay the sliding version with an increased (ER) rating.

Bomber, yes the corrugated exterior will remain as a cost saving measure...

Anyway no timetable as of yet? Will it be in place this season? Maybe others have a better idea.

Jets4Life · #**3494** Posted **Sep 13, 2013, 6:54 PM**

The new stadium looks so impressive. I cannot wait to take in a game or two next year.

isaidso · #**3495** Posted **Sep 16, 2013, 1:25 PM**

I passed through Winnipeg a few months back and agree 100%. Cities across Canada are green with envy. As a Torontonian, I could only hope for something as nice here.

bomberjet · #**3496** Posted **Sep 16, 2013, 1:46 PM**

I have to agree with both of you!

I know there's a lot of complaining and nit picking about various issues. In the end it's a great stadium that I personally enjoy attending!

isaidso · #**3497** Posted **Sep 16, 2013, 5:27 PM**

It's nice to see the Bisons get a nice attendance bounce from IGF as well. They have the 3rd and 11th largest crowds of the season thus far:

5,000+ Crowds so far this season - Nice to see the Dinos finally drawing well.

McGill @ Laval 12,798
Carleton @ Western 10,377
Alberta @ Manitoba 10,199
McMaster @ Queen's 7,100
Laval @ Sherbrooke 6,253
Regina @ Saskatchewan 5,801
Bishop's @ Sherbrooke 5,423
Saskatchewan @ Calgary 5,202
Bishop's @ Montreal 5,100
Western @ McMaster 5,003
Saskatchewan @ Manitoba 4,864

isaidso · #**3498** Posted **Sep 16, 2013, 5:27 PM**

Looks like college football is finally starting to get decent support in the West. Saskatchewan was the first school to start drawing well. This year they've been joined by Calgary and Manitoba. It's been a long time coming, but better late than never.

Alberta, BC, and Regina continue to be laggards although I suspect Regina will be the next school to see a bump.

esquire · #**3499** Posted **Sep 16, 2013, 6:31 PM**

Manitoba's homecoming game is coming up which will likely have a crowd exceeding that of the last game.

The Bisons have always had great potential... now that they have a great venue on campus to showcase their product, I think they will do well. If they continue to make an effort to promote their product and tap into the amateur sports fans, alumni base and general university community, I think they could average around 5,000 fans a game even once the novelty of the new facility wears off.

isaidso · #**3500** Posted **Sep 16, 2013, 7:07 PM**

Good times for sure. The trick is to make the game a big day long event and to organize pep rallies, bands, cheerleaders, tailgating, and develop strong conference rivalries. I think Manitoba's best bet would be the Huskies in Saskatoon. Having a provincial rival at Brandon or Winnipeg would help a great deal as well.

The Ottawa - Carleton cross town Panda Game has historically been one of the best attended games in the nation; 20,000+ attended the one in 1987. Carleton lost their team in 1999, but they're back this season. Hopefully, the Panda Game can become the big deal it was before. Rivalries help tremendously in boosting attendance.