http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bre...-4666215c.html
Many new details revealed on the new Bomber stadium.
It's sounding better every day!
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source:
http://www.blueandgold.ca/Message.html
(transcript from his presentation at MTSC on Monday)
David Asper:
Good evening and welcome Bomber fans. Welcome to each of you with us here tonight at the MTS Centre and to fans listening live to Wells & Co. on CJOB 68.
When I look back over the recent history of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, I know that we wouldn't be here at an event like this tonight if it weren't for the leadership, foresight, determination and dedication of a small group of Manitobans.
This group has toiled, often silently and behind the scenes, on our behalf as fans, through some pretty lean years – all in an effort to keep our great Bombers alive and well.
- To the Boards past and present,
- To the Presidents and Chairmen past and present
- To Lyle Bauer and his staff
Please join me in showing them the thanks they deserve as the off field champions they are.
Also thanks to Marnie Scott and her team of alumni cheerleaders for their enthusiastic involvement in today's event and for the warm welcome they provided to all.
You know, I've been a Bomber fan as long as I can remember – trained by my Dad and my Uncle Aubrey – to be a fan through good years and bad… and that's just what I've done.
Like so many of you, I've been a season ticket holder forever, an exuberant fan and a loyal supporter who always wanted to play an active role in strengthening the team we all love. That's the one thing we all have in common – a passion for and a commitment to our beloved Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
I like to believe we are the best fans in the entire league. Fans that not only need but deserve a strong voice in plans to secure a long-term, stable future for our Bombers. And I've got to tell you – you're not a shy bunch.
Since our development team and I made our formal presentation to the Bomber Board in January, hundreds of fans have button holed me at Bomber games, during my kids hockey games, at social functions and even after funerals…to share thoughts and ideas.
Our website – blueandgold.ca – has been equally busy with over 1,000 individual emails plus nearly 1,500 fan surveys… put online just ten days ago.
I want you to know that I've listened to every conversation, read every single fan survey and read and answered almost every email that you've taken the time to send. Why? Because we're about to enter an exciting new era in the history of our team – and there are no opinions that matter more to me than the opinions of fans.
Fans who put their money down and show up, year after year, to support our Bombers no matter what the weather or the league standings. You're the true investors in our team…that's why I will always refer to this as a community partnership.
I want to assure you that, if this proposal succeeds, our team may no longer be community-owned but it will be more community-minded than ever.
In fact, your opinions on seating, concessions, washrooms, sightlines, game-day and the overall design have already influenced our plans more than you'll ever know.
But before I share the very latest on where we're headed, let's spend just a minute looking at where we've been because it's important to remember that there have been more than a few times in the past two decades when our Bombers faced death defying moments, off field.
With its back against the wall, I hate to think what might have happened if, under the tremendous leadership of our past presidents and their boards of directors, the community had not rallied round to save the team. Even then, without government and taxpayers filling in the gaps, all might have been lost.
It is important for you to know that, after the last financial restructuring in 2000…just 7 years ago…government was clear: “We'll help you one last time but this cannot happen again."
With that mission in mind, the mandate of future boards – myself, Gene Dunn, Ken Hildahl – and of course Lyle Bauer and his management team – was to protect the club from future lean years (and history shows that it will surely happen again) with a long-term, permanent solution.
While Boards past and present have differed on how to move forward, our end goal was always identical – to do what it takes to ensure not just survival but glory for our Bombers. Without question, a new stadium was always integral to a strong, stable future.
An engineering and a second overall feasibility study were conducted by the City and the Bombers themselves – to assess the condition of the existing stadium and offer advice on renovation vs. new construction.
In my mind, the Bomber study is straight to the point:
Spend $30 million on renovations today that would last, at best, just ten more years OR bite the bullet and get on with the job of building a new stadium right away. Knowing that things only get more expensive as time wears on, my views are well known – let's just get on with it and get it done today!
It is no accident that we are here this evening in the MTS Centre. A decade ago when that debate was underway, many questioned whether all three levels of government should contribute to a new privately run sports arena. Thankfully, as a community, we've all benefited, big time, from their willingness to step up to the plate as major contributors.
The fact is that that government got most of its money back even before the doors of this MTS Centre opened for business.
So where's the financial risk to taxpayers? Quite honestly, there isn't. Just rewards – job creation, ongoing tax revenue and the benefits of a strong and growing community that isn't afraid to demonstrate leadership and embrace the future with a can do attitude.
All this is a way to assure you that, if this proposal succeeds, your football club will have, as its new owner, someone who has the financial capacity, business experience, and willingness to take all the risks for bad weather, dismal seasons, injuries, poor ticket sales and economic downturns. Plus, you'll have a fan leading the charge who shares your unremitting passion to see our Blue Bombers succeed over the long-term.
Okay, let's get on with the tour of our proposed new stadium including our most up to date plans and designs created by our lead architect Raymond Wan of Winnipeg with the support of HOK Sport – one of the world's leading stadium design firms.
Keep in mind that this is still very much a work in progress and that all images you'll see are not exact duplicates of what we'll construct …but rather, representations to help you visualize what we have in mind.
Many months in the making and after tens of thousands of miles of travel to look at the latest stadium designs, these plans represent the tireless efforts of our entire development team.
Let's start with a look at the current Polo Park site that we're all familiar with and, again, keep in mind that the original stadium has undergone three significant renovations since 1953 to increase it to its current size.
Next, here's an overlay of where the new stadium will be constructed… with two main entrances right along St. James Street - maintaining both east and west side and end zone configurations exactly as they are now, except just further west on the property. There will be secondary entrances from the parking on the east side of the facility.
Other main exterior features include:
- A two level, 217,000 sf shopping complex running along Empress Street. Already, we have interest far in excess of the space we're constructing including thematically related large merchandisers.
- A 2,400 sf Bomber store will be located right here at the south end of the stadium, just off the concourse and will be complimented by at least 2 novelty stands right inside the stadium. We are also considering adding Bomber merchandise within the food concessions as well, to make it as easy as possible to see and buy your team colours.
- These features will likely more than double the retail shopping experience for ‘all things Bomber' and provide for dynamic merchandising of the products.
- At the corner of Empress and Maroons, room to construct a thematic restaurant & pub or sports lounge.
- Transit corridor off of Empress and interconnecting walkways and pedestrian plazas throughout the site
- Single level parking located right here between the east side of the stadium and the Empress retail development containing between 800 to 1,000 stalls
- A Hall of Fame throughout the stadium concourse will finally allow us to fully pay homage to Bomber greats, and display interesting memorabilia. I know many of you have your own collections, and we intend to provide secure display space both during the season and in the off-season so that you, too, can show your pride
- Finally, a Times Square environment with state of the art interior and exterior multi-media components. The sound system will be, as my kids might say, sweet. This new landmark will be hard to miss.
The bottom line is that we will construct a truly integrated and unified sports entertainment complex… or as I like to call it – Blue Bomber Nation, within one complete city block.
In terms of construction, we are proposing that the stadium be built in three phases without ever missing a single day of football. Here's how we'll accomplish that.
We hope shovels will go in the ground this spring, 2008 with Phase 1 construction during which we'll build the west half of the stadium in what is currently the parking area right along St. James St.
Once the 2008 football season is complete, the existing stadium will be demolished and the site readied for Phase 2 construction of the second half of the stadium – to be built through the winter and spring of 2009.
Phase 3 is construction of the retail development right along Empress on the east edge of the property. The purpose of this development is simple – to provide a year-round source of revenue for the Bombers. That's why it is such a critical component of this project and key to ensuring long-term financial stability for the team.
Come June of 2009 when we hope to complete all construction, spring training will be held in the Bomber's new home followed by the season opener and official kick-off in the summer of 2009.
That's the short and long of construction. Now, come on, let's go inside.
The biggest news is that we're going to dig a bowl resulting in a field below the main Concourse and sunken into the Manitoba gumbo. This will pack a powerful punch when you walk into the concourse at ground level and see the expanse of the field below and before you. Without question, the Bowl will:
- Create a more intimate fan environment
- Provide added shelter from the wind
- Offer a 360 degree view
- Improve sightlines and put fans closer to the action, even from the upper decks.
That's not all. We're proposing a ground level concourse which will:
- Be protected above and on the exterior from the elements
- Offer an open air view of the field
- Create an added sense of space – with a significant improvement over the darkness under the grandstands!!
- Plus, it'll be wide and roomy and provide improved circulation, room to roam and hopefully eliminate line-ups for two of the biggest fan sore points – concessions and washrooms.
Good news female fans. We'll be building 289 bathroom stalls, 6 family rooms and finally provide you with 50% of the facilities – a move that is long overdue considering that women make up almost half of the Bomber fan base.
In terms of concessions, imagine 134 point of sale food & beverage service stations and roaming vendors. That's the service you have long deserved and the service we're proposing.
Our mission – to provide healthy foods, variety and affordability by constructing an on-site commissary and central kitchen as well as bringing in branded food services such as what has been done right here at MTS Center. That's not to mention the food and beverage service in the 10,000 sf club lounge complete with its own washroom facilities.
In terms of private suites, we're proposing approximately 25 in total including both luxury and party suites as well as a separate Alumni and Hall of Fame Hospitality Room. These suites plus the Media Centre would be offered from the 2nd level upper concourse on the west grand stand. And again, our list is already long for corporate and individual fans ready to purchase.
Did I mention 16 loge boxes? To be located at ground level just off the Concourse, they'll be a welcome addition for special events and particularly for any fans with physical disabilities.
The number one fan complaint and it'll come as no surprise to you – seating and legroom – or lack of it as is currently the case.
By now, I hope you've had a chance to try out the new seats we're proposing located just upstairs in the concourse. If they feel roomier, you're bang on the money. That's because we're adding a full half foot of legroom from the standard 27 inch ‘tread' as it is known in the industry to an expansive 33 inch tread.
In terms of seats, all 35,000 will be 21" wide individual seats including a cup holder; 22 inch for club and private suites. No more benches! I long ago lost count of the number of fans who said not to forget these features.
Now let's focus on fan protection from the elements. The bottom line is that 80% of all fans will be under cover while in their seats. We'll accomplish this with overhead canopies and a protected concourse that completely wraps the exterior. Plus, the bowl effect will cut wind and help further reduce exposure to elements. All in all, I truly believe this is the best, most doable option for Winnipeg.
As part of our fan survey, we asked for your suggestions to help ensure the stadium would be used year-round. The ideas are pouring in fast and furious – everything from an ice hotel to a winter wonderland for families and tourists alike. Clearly, year-round use is something that needs further study but know that we're working on it. Plus keep in mind that the whole point of the retail complex is to provide the team with a year-round source of income so that we'll never again have to go to taxpayers asking for a bail out. It's a bit of a new concept for Winnipeg but the surest way to keep the stadium current and the football franchise healthy.
Speaking of money, this seems a good time to discuss where we're at in terms of funding. As you know, I'm prepared to contribute $40 million to the cost of the stadium and another $25 million for the retail development. That funding is secure and already in place.
For some time now, we have been meeting with all levels of government to assist them in conducting their own in-depth due diligence on behalf of taxpayers. That process continues to proceed and we will keep you updated as we have news to report.
In total, we have asked each level of government – provincial and federal – to contribute $40 million. This is based on a model used to construct the MTS Centre – though the numbers are different – it is a model that draws on a combination of government and private sector funds.
It's important to note that based on our projections, prepared by the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, the provincial government will recover about a quarter of its investment by the time construction is done and the federal government nearly a third. The remaining investment will be paid back to the province in about 5 years and just over 6 years to the federal government.
The bottom line is that while our payback will not happen quite as quickly as the MTS Centre, it will happen again and in a timely fashion with this project.
The best news for taxpayers as we look to the future? The financial risk will land squarely on my shoulders… and football is not without risk. If injuries plague our team or a severe economic downturn keeps fans away, I am the one who will shoulder the losses, not taxpayers.
With this in mind, I've taken the view that the entire project requires an integrated approach and therefore ownership of the team. From my perspective, it's the only way to maximize opportunities and ensure a strong, stable future for the Bombers.
I think you'll be very comforted when all the agreements are signed, that Manitobans will be fully protected from the potential worries of private ownership. This has been a key part of my proposal from the outset, is an imperative of the current Blue Bomber Board, and the Premier has said it's a condition to any involvement of the provincial government.
None of us ever wants to see our team leave and I'm prepared to sign a deal to guarantee just that.
Two other important elements that I'll touch on just briefly. Our proposal includes creation of a permanent Blue and Gold Foundation that will support, in perpetuity, important community projects.
As well, we plan to do more than simply motivate young football players. We plan to support them by partnering with Football Canada, Football Manitoba, the UM football program and by providing community funding. As an opening gesture, we will donate the current artificial turf to the U of M.
After further consultation with the other organizations occurs, I can assure you that Manitobans will see tangible benefits from our Foundation, and our plan is to make it grow so we can increase the amounts that can be distributed over the years.
Before we open the mics for a discussion, let me close by thanking each of you for taking the time to come this evening and for your continuing support and loyalty to our Blue Bombers.
Winnipeggers have demonstrated time and again that not only can we rise to a challenge, but when we do it together, we can strengthen our community and our reputation as one great city. Remember the vision it took to get the Forks started? The community strength it took to hold off the Flood of the Century?
The truth is -- we're at our best, as Manitobans, when we do things together. It's time to build a new home for the Blue Bombers, time to secure the team's future with year-round revenue sources and time to create a new sense of pride not only for the Bombers but for fans, alumni and the entire community.
I know that I am going to have to earn your support and I am a prepared to do just that…to ensure our beloved Blue Bombers remain as community-minded as ever. This is a huge investment and a risk in terms of money, emotion and importance of the Bombers to our civic identity. I'm going into this with my eyes wide open and am confident that I can make us all proud.
All I ask is that you keep an open mind and considering supporting this proposal so that we can get it done, together!
David Asper
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... or private investors are involved in the public ammenity.. GASP.. 
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