Winnipeg | CFL Blue Bombers | Princess Auto Stadium

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by isaidso

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.

The big rivalries are with Saskatchewan and Regina. The day long event thing here likely won't happen, only happens in small pockets for the Blue Bombers. I think the Bisons could get crowds of 5000 consistently if they have a good team year in and year out and market the games. CIS just isn't a big deal here. I mean we've had championship volleyball and basketball teams at both schools in Winnipeg and they mostly played in front of friends and family. Brandon gets pretty good support for basketball.

There's no chance of BU or U of W fielding a football team, they can barely afford their current athletic programs, they are probably two of the most poorly funded athletic departments in the country. plus they don't have facilities. The U of W couldn't get a women's hockey team off the ground when I attended there in the last decade, they went to soccer instead because it is cheaper, they basically operate a club team that is starting to play in CIS. Same kind of deal with Men's baseball, they joined a Dakota NAIA conference.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Danny D Oh

CIS just isn't a big deal here.

But that's exactly the point. Everything has to start somewhere. CIS used to be even further off the radar in Quebec than it is in western Canada. They started from nothing and within 10 years they built it to where some Laval crowds are almost as big as what the Argonauts get.

It's all about how one markets and packages a product. If they re-produced what happens at Laval in schools elsewhere CIS would grow exponentially. Western Canada is no different in that regard. Saskatchewan was the first to start promoting football properly and they got immediate results. It's no coincidence that Canada West is playing catch up to them. Saskatchewan is joining many other programs in the country that aim to make CIS football a big time sport some day. Schools can either jump on board or get left behind.

Originally Posted by Danny D Oh

There's no chance of BU or U of W fielding a football team, they can barely afford their current athletic programs, they are probably two of the most poorly funded athletic departments in the country. plus they don't have facilities. The U of W couldn't get a women's hockey team off the ground when I attended there in the last decade, they went to soccer instead because it is cheaper, they basically operate a club team that is starting to play in CIS. Same kind of deal with Men's baseball, they joined a Dakota NAIA conference.

I see. Looks like Canada's schools still have a long way to go before they start seeing football as a potential gold mine. Laval football likely makes enough money to be self funding and support other varsity sports at the same time. US schools woke up to that realization 100 years ago.

[Rodo Regina Lover]

We were at the July 19th game at IGF for the Toronto Argo game, all five of us were so impressed with the new stadium!! One thing Regina and Winnipeg have in common is the constant complaining about everything under the sun. Get over it complainers most everyone thinks your new stadium is fantastic! We can't wait till construction starts on our new stadium, well most of us (Ha! Ha!) and I'm sure all the negative nellies will all be out in full force!!They have started to prep the site of the new stadium, so it's nice to actually see some real movement towards the beginning of actual construction in the early part of 2014. Go Riders!!!

[rrskylar]

There already is a thread for this!

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by isaidso

But that's exactly the point. Everything has to start somewhere. CIS used to be even further off the radar in Quebec than it is in western Canada. They started from nothing and within 10 years they built it to where some Laval crowds are almost as big as what the Argonauts get.

It's all about how one markets and packages a product. If they re-produced what happens at Laval in schools elsewhere CIS would grow exponentially. Western Canada is no different in that regard. Saskatchewan was the first to start promoting football properly and they got immediate results. It's no coincidence that Canada West is playing catch up to them. Saskatchewan is joining many other programs in the country that aim to make CIS football a big time sport some day. Schools can either jump on board or get left behind.



I see. Looks like Canada's schools still have a long way to go before they start seeing football as a potential gold mine. Laval football likely makes enough money to be self funding and support other varsity sports at the same time. US schools woke up to that realization 100 years ago.

Laval, Regina, Montreal, Sherbrooke (IIRC) and the new Carleton football programs all operate as separate entities that are affiliated with their universities. They are run by well-financed booster groups, which would be highly illegal according to NCAA by-laws, but is encouraged north of the border and is becoming the model for successful programs outside of the OUA. I believe Calgary will also be transitioning to this model. Essentially they operate as junior teams do. All the money stays with those entities (programs), players are provided benefits that no athletic department in this country could afford. Laval has been holding mini-camps in Florida over the winter for years, the other Quebec programs with backers are starting to follow suit.

[The Unknown Poster]

if I recall correctly, Joe Mack actually pointed out the issue concerning the Press Box during construction and insisted it would be a problem. He was ignored.

Doesnt CJOB have broadcast booth at centre field? The press box in question is for non-rights holders?

I couldnt make out the press box when I was there...anyone have a photo (a real one...lol)

[bomberjet]

Well, it's a start.

http://www.bluebombers.com/article/tailgate-at-the-plaza


TAILGATE AT THE PLAZA
Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

Coming to the game on Friday? Get the party rolling early at Tailgate at the Plaza, starting at 5:00 pm. It’s your official pre-game event as your Blue Bombers host the Edmonton Eskimos!

Meet a Blue Bomber legend and latest member to join the Blue Bombers Hall of Fame; Charles Roberts will be in the Plaza from 5 – 6pm. Arrive early so you don’t miss meeting Charlie!

The first 50 fans at the Plaza will also receive a FREE Blue Bombers Scratch N Win ticket, with a chance to win $100,000 cash!

And, 10 lucky fans who are on site before 6 pm will win dinner courtesy of the Blue Bombers from ON A ROLL Food Truck, which will be parked just outside the Plaza alongside Habanero Sombrero & Goldies.

Groove to music by Crystal Sound, and receive premium service from Shark Club staff serving in the Pinnacle Tent.

We are also proud to announce the Kicking for Cancer Tour will be at the Plaza from 5-7 pm. Stop by and try your kicking skills as the Blue Bombers continue to help the fight against cancer.

[The Unknown Poster]

What in the blue heck is the Plaza?

Interesting that it's Shark Club staff serving. Is True North more involved in event planning with the Bombers?

[bomberjet]

The area in front of the stadium at Chancellor and University.

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by The Unknown Poster

if I recall correctly, Joe Mack actually pointed out the issue concerning the Press Box during construction and insisted it would be a problem. He was ignored.

Doesnt CJOB have broadcast booth at centre field? The press box in question is for non-rights holders?

I couldnt make out the press box when I was there...anyone have a photo (a real one...lol)

The press box in question is for reporters, not broadcasters. TSN and CJOB are in the broadcast booths closer to mid-field. The press box for reporters is on the same side (west) towards the U of M endzone. It doesn't stand out from the private boxes, it's wide-open with a room behind it with TV's.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by Danny D Oh

The press box in question is for reporters, not broadcasters. TSN and CJOB are in the broadcast booths closer to mid-field. The press box for reporters is on the same side (west) towards the U of M endzone. It doesn't stand out from the private boxes, it's wide-open with a room behind it with TV's.

So what's the problem then? Gary Lawless doesn't like it? There pads of paper and pencils might get wet?!

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Danny D Oh

Laval, Regina, Montreal, Sherbrooke (IIRC) and the new Carleton football programs all operate as separate entities that are affiliated with their universities. They are run by well-financed booster groups, which would be highly illegal according to NCAA by-laws, but is encouraged north of the border and is becoming the model for successful programs outside of the OUA. I believe Calgary will also be transitioning to this model. Essentially they operate as junior teams do. All the money stays with those entities (programs), players are provided benefits that no athletic department in this country could afford. Laval has been holding mini-camps in Florida over the winter for years, the other Quebec programs with backers are starting to follow suit.

I didn't know that they kept all the money themselves, but was aware that those programs are run as separate entities. Honestly, CIS football is so far behind the NCAA that I'll support whatever it takes for it to claw its way back.

Carleton was smart to organize using that model and it's great news that Calgary will too. I hope to see some schools in the AUS follow suit. They need to or they're going to fall even further behind the Lavals and Sherbrookes. AUS are notorious for being stuck in their ways though. They're the type to be re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic as it slips beneath the sea.

[Cyro]

Not worried about the 3.5 million cost over run, I'm sure others will make sure I realize it is unacceptable but I love this picture.


Source

[CoryB]

Edit: can someone please tell me how to resize the image?

Here is a picture of the press box. On the left side above the blue ribbon light bar is the suites, then moving right there is a section with windows which is the host broadcasters (TSN and CJOB) and finally you have the press box which looks similar to the suites.

Not the best image quality but gives you the main idea.

[removed oversized image]

[Riverman]

Download IrfanView (free) and resize them using that. Works very well.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Edit: can someone please tell me how to resize the image?

Here is a picture of the press box. On the left side above the blue ribbon light bar is the suites, then moving right there is a section with windows which is the host broadcasters (TSN and CJOB) and finally you have the press box which looks similar to the suites.

Not the best image quality but gives you the main idea.

Resized the photo for you. Infraview is a pretty easy,free and quick program to use as River suggested above.


Photo: By CoryB

[CoryB]

Thanks for resizing the image cyrodill. It will be intersting to see if the press box renovation includes removing the existing wall and is about four rows back from the front of the suite level.

[esquire]

^ The fact that the stadium was built with an exposed, open-air press box is a real head-scratcher. It's easily fixed as it's just a matter of building some walls and running some mechanical into the area, but did the project team really think that they'd be able to get away with that setup? Or was it just a way to buy a bit of time before incurring the additional expense?

Anyone know what is behind the press box seating, on the other side of the wall? Is it more facilities for working media, or is there something else there?

[CoryB]

I think the current press box is largely due to a lack of stakeholder input. The host boardcasters may have been consulted but perhaps they only commented on their own needs. I also don't think it was a cost saving as there is clearly a wall with windows behind the press box, could have just had that pushed to the front.

I have not had access to that level first hand but what I have heard indicates the media center essentially starts where the host broadcasters are (around center field) and continues all the way across. The room behind the press box likely includes tv (replays), network and electrical access for the media, some limited food and beverage service (ie water) and likely washrooms that are seperate from the suites on that same level.

[The Unknown Poster]

If I recall, the other side of that wall includes indoor seating for press but the windows are small so only the first row of seats offer a suitable view point.

They really should tear it down and start from scratch. Floor to ceiling windows, plenty of seating and required technology. I suspect now the media will get a tremendous new box since they whined so much.