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Post by dbp1990 on Sept 8, 2006 8:37:52 GMT -5
Asper wants part of Bombers Katz links interest by mogul to new stadium
By ROSS ROMANIUK AND ROCHELLE SQUIRES, CITY HALL AND LEGISLATURE REPORTERS
Fans have their say Bauer's only goal: Success for franchise Artist’s conception of a proposed $165-million stadium for the Bombers on the city’s western edge. The drive for that new facility is what prompts the interest of Asper, says Katz. David Asper's interest in purchasing a stake in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers likely stems from the hope among many that a new stadium will be built for the club soon, says Mayor Sam Katz.
"I think this is the efforts of the Winnipeg Football Club to get things going for a new stadium," the mayor said. "As you know, they talked about it. And there really isn't any talk about it at any level (of government)."
The Bombers have an ongoing feasibility study looking into a $165-million "destination complex" that would house a new 30,000-seat partially covered stadium along with a hotel and water park on the western edge of the city.
The project would require a blend of private and public dollars, with the club noting that the same was true of both CanWest Global Park, where the Winnipeg Goldeyes play, and the MTS Centre, home of the Manitoba Moose.
SAW LETTER
At the least, the Bombers would like to see an upgrade to the 53-year-old stadium on Maroons Road.
Katz confirmed he has seen Asper's letter on the proposed ownership shakeup and knows of talks between the media mogul and the Winnipeg Football Club.
However, Katz refused to say much about how Asper's proposal could change the community-owned franchise.
"They all agreed there would be no conversation on this topic until after the Grey Cup," Katz said of the CFL championship game, slated for Nov. 19 in Winnipeg. "There has been some conversation, but I will uphold my responsibility to keep what should be private, private."
Premier Gary Doer was not available for comment yesterday.
The premier's spokesman confirmed the proposal is being reviewed by the province, but no decisions have been made. "The province has the proposal as articulated by Mr. Asper, and we've looked at it, and that's as far as it's gone," said Jonathan Hildebrand.
Hildebrand said ultimately the decision about ownership rests with the football club and its community board.
"This is not a provincial decision," said Hildebrand. "As we go forward with this issue we'll continue to work with the football club itself and be guided by the club's board of directors and take the advice of the broader community."
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Post by dbp1990 on Sept 8, 2006 8:38:35 GMT -5
What about a NEW JETS Team!
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Post by The Unknown Poster on Sept 8, 2006 10:34:27 GMT -5
They need to make that stadium a dome. Really, if it costs an extra 30 million even, isn't worth it? If they can use a partially covered stadium 6 months out of the year, wouldn't the extra 6 months of use with a dome more than cover the cost of the dome? If you're gonna spend that kind of money, go all out.
And to the idiots out there who called CJOB b!tching about "public money" going into this, get a clue. People need to make the connection between money and investment. The money the city and province make through business, entertainment, personal income, GST and other taxes, not to mention spin off revenue from the events and the governments responsibility to the culture and pyschology of the province would more than pay back any investment over the life of a stadium.
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Post by USApegger on Sept 8, 2006 11:12:47 GMT -5
Funny, my parents are in their 70's and they can't believe that there is anything wrong with the stadium. It's barely 50 years old is what they say, they of course are opposed to any tax money going towards it.
I do believe that the location should be in the city, not at the Downs.
As far as the Aspers getting involved, that may be the only way they can get a new stadium built, they will not be able to raise the money being publically owned.
Personally, I would rather see the Aspers invest in the NHL
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Post by JETStender on Sept 8, 2006 11:21:51 GMT -5
I do believe that the location should be in the city, not at the Downs. Ummm...excatly where in the city do you purpose we put it?
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Post by JETStender on Sept 8, 2006 11:26:12 GMT -5
The Bombers have an ongoing feasibility study looking into a $165-million "destination complex" that would house a new 30,000-seat partially covered stadium along with a hotel and water park on the western edge of the city. It should be able to seat 40,000 and be fully covered or even better, have a retractable roof. If the plans are for 30,000 then you know when it finished it will only seat 27,000 and then we've replaced another existing building with a smaller one.
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Post by dbp1990 on Sept 8, 2006 12:59:33 GMT -5
The Bombers have an ongoing feasibility study looking into a $165-million "destination complex" that would house a new 30,000-seat partially covered stadium along with a hotel and water park on the western edge of the city. It should be able to seat 40,000 and be fully covered or even better, have a retractable roof. If the plans are for 30,000 then you know when it finished it will only seat 27,000 and then we've replaced another existing building with a smaller one. GOOD * UCKN POINT!
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Post by USApegger on Sept 8, 2006 14:53:29 GMT -5
I do believe that the location should be in the city, not at the Downs. Ummm...excatly where in the city do you purpose we put it? I don't want to get off topic here, but it was suggested by others that there is a great big spot on Bishop Grandin by Pembina (in my opinion a great location), or somewhere in Point Douglas or even St. Boniface. I don't see the city kicking anything in if it's not even within city limits (racetrack location, is that considered Headingly?).
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Post by Ducky on Sept 9, 2006 16:32:58 GMT -5
I am happy they are planning for the future, however I don't see it happening for another 5 years. Ideally for the city and downtown sake it should built downtown whether it by point douglas by waterfront or by the forks.
Downtown would benefit greatly by having the locals and tourists spend downtown.
Parking would not be a problem since there would probably be a parkade for season ticket holders plus there is tons of parking downtown. If New York city can put stadiums downtown then I don't see why the hell we can't. The stadium in itself would be part of downtowns postcard.
Myself I would love the stadium be retractable so it can be used for other uses like indoor soccer, a golf dome, tennis courts, etc.
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On a side note.
I wonder if the city has ever thought of rezoning logan by asking CP Rails to move their yard by logan to another location like transcona. That land has alot of potential after its been cleaned up. Once that happens maybe a new stadium can be put there. Heck maybe the the Red River Ex could relocate there since there is alot of land there. Perhaps Red river can continue on its plans on making a new stampede rodeo that would compete with calgarys stampede. The Red river ex would then use the bombers stadium for rodeos and (maybe chuckwagons). Personally a retractable roof
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Post by dbp1990 on Sept 9, 2006 17:45:48 GMT -5
Ummm...excatly where in the city do you purpose we put it? I don't want to get off topic here, but it was suggested by others that there is a great big spot on Bishop Grandin by Pembina (in my opinion a great location), or somewhere in Point Douglas or even St. Boniface. I don't see the city kicking anything in if it's not even within city limits (racetrack location, is that considered Headingly?). Actually, Assiniboine Downs has a City Postal Code and falls under it's jurisdiction, that's why when the smoking ban came into effect they had to follow it, while just down the road people in Headingly could still smoke in their place until the ban went province wide. I also think the Bishop Grandin Site would be BIG TIME, especially with the Boom in the South, It would be a Nice addition and probably would help with even more growth!
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Post by dbp1990 on Sept 9, 2006 17:50:41 GMT -5
I wonder if the city has ever thought of rezoning logan by asking CP Rails to move their yard by logan to another location like transcona. That land has alot of potential after its been cleaned up. Once that happens maybe a new stadium can be put there. Heck maybe the the Red River Ex could relocate there since there is alot of land there. Perhaps Red river can continue on its plans on making a new stampede rodeo that would compete with calgarys stampede. The Red river ex would then use the bombers stadium for rodeos and (maybe chuckwagons). Personally a retractable roof I like your idea of getting rid of the Train Yard, it's 2006 and that is some valuble property in more ways than one. I don't think though that the road system in and around that immediate area could handle the traffic of 30 thousand people coming to and from a game! But it should be cleared and something progressive done with it.
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Post by The Unknown Poster on Sept 10, 2006 18:13:48 GMT -5
We're going to argue about seating? Unlike the Moose who knew they would never really need an arena that housed over 7000, the Bombers won't want a building less than 30,000 and that is only if they can still add temp seating for the Grey Cup and big time concerts. They know the money those extra seats bring in, especially for the first several years of a new facility.
The problem with not going downtown is, it's easier for the Government to justify the spending when they say it's for downtown revitalization, even though it's just an excuse.
CJOB made a good point about Sam Kats and his conflict of interest on this subject as owner of the Goldeyes. He very well may have to recuse himself from the decision making process. And his refusal to discuss this (citing the confidentiality agreement) is so obviously an attempt to NOT let this become an election issue.
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Post by BigMac15 on Sept 10, 2006 19:06:20 GMT -5
I like the Pembina-Bishop idea, but I think that area is getting clogged up with traffic as it is, especially leading up to Kenaston.
I think the Downs would be a good location. Lots of NFL stadiums are on the outskirts of cities too.
I just don't know about downtown for a stadium.
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Post by razorsedge on Sept 10, 2006 20:48:24 GMT -5
Where ever it goes, and whatever roof it has (open, or retractable), they should make it an all around sports complex, like Edmonton's Commonwealth stadium. Edmonton's stadium is downtown, and is also a fitness center, with a cardio room, weights training, gymnasium and track on the outside of the field. Winnipeg's downtown would benefit with this type of stadium/complex.
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Post by BigMac15 on Sept 11, 2006 13:11:41 GMT -5
Where ever it goes, and whatever roof it has (open, or retractable), they should make it an all around sports complex, like Edmonton's Commonwealth stadium. Edmonton's stadium is downtown, and is also a fitness center, with a cardio room, weights training, gymnasium and track on the outside of the field. Winnipeg's downtown would benefit with this type of stadium/complex. Excellent point! Any specific location in mind?
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Post by Ducky on Sept 18, 2006 18:26:00 GMT -5
Where ever it goes, and whatever roof it has (open, or retractable), they should make it an all around sports complex, like Edmonton's Commonwealth stadium. Edmonton's stadium is downtown, and is also a fitness center, with a cardio room, weights training, gymnasium and track on the outside of the field. Winnipeg's downtown would benefit with this type of stadium/complex. Exactly
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Post by warpigs2380 on Oct 30, 2006 11:21:14 GMT -5
Where ever it goes, and whatever roof it has (open, or retractable), they should make it an all around sports complex, like Edmonton's Commonwealth stadium. Edmonton's stadium is downtown, and is also a fitness center, with a cardio room, weights training, gymnasium and track on the outside of the field. Winnipeg's downtown would benefit with this type of stadium/complex. Excellent point! Any specific location in mind? How about at the Downtown YMCA?
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Post by ratzy on Oct 30, 2006 12:24:54 GMT -5
you expect that a freakin' football stadium is gonna squeeze in downtown somewhere? Not to mention that a sold out 30,000 event kinda doubles the requirement for parking compared to the MTSC. Downtown makes no sense at all!
The 2 best locations would be either Assiniboia Downs or the Pembina-Bishop area. Traffic would flow way better to either location and there would be ample room for the stadium itself + parking.
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Post by Ducky on Oct 31, 2006 21:02:43 GMT -5
have u ever heard of parkades.
If bigger cities like new york can have stadiums downtown I am sure winnipeg can work-out the logistics such as the traffic.
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Post by The Unknown Poster on Nov 1, 2006 11:41:19 GMT -5
This is Winnipeg. We can't even work out the logistics of regular rush hour!
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