Friday, January 19, 2007
Another New Stadium Proposal
First we were treated to David Asper's plan for a new football stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Today, we get a second proposal from CandInns. And both are terrible.
Asper's plan will carry a price-tag of $145 million, and he'll get sole ownership of the team. The Pro's of Asper's plan are:
1) The new stadium will be built at the same location as the current stadium, and continue to bring business into the area.
2) If the Bombers were privately owned, the team would probably do better and services at the Stadium would be improved. Asper's a fan, and a savvy businessman who would bring stability and success to the team.
3) The 40,000 person capacity would be a good fit for the Bombers.
The Cons:
1) $80 million of public investment. This is absolutely insane. This, in a city where the sewer system needs massive overhaul (which the city claims we can't afford without help from the feds and the province), and where the roads and bridges are in shambles.
2) The stadium will be only partially covered. If taxpayers are expected to pony up $80 million, you'd think we could at least get an enclosed dome of some sort, so it could be of use during Winnipegs long and cold winters.
Okay, on to the CanadInns proposal, the Pros:
1) The CanadInns proposal includes an indoor, climate controlled stadium. This would be more useful to Winnipeg than an indoor stadium.
That was quick, on to the Cons:
1) CanadInns is proposing a $275 million facility, of which they will only be paying $50 million. One can only guess where the remaining $225 million comes from (cough, taxes, cough).
2) The team would remain community-run, meaning fans can expect more of the same mediocre performances from the Big Blue.
3) Location, location, location. CanadInns wants to build the new stadium outside of the perimeter on the Ex grounds. For one, we'd have to rename the team the Headingly Blue Bombers. Two, thats a tonne of shuttle buses to transport the booze-fueled fan to and from each home game. Three, the only other business in the general vicinity for fans to support would be whatever CanadInns decides to put in place.
Overall both proposals are a complete waste of tax dollars. By spending a few million dollars, the old stadium could be upgraded, and Asper's retail complex could also be added. During the Grey Cup this year, we've also seen that there is plenty of room in the current stadium to add extra capacity.
It's beyond me why Winnipeg would want to spend $80 - $225 million on a plan that would give us a slightly more comfortable stadium, with the potential to move a lot of business outside of the city, all the while the roads are too bad to drive there, and you feel guilty using the washrooms because you know the sewage is just going to get dumped into city rivers.
But maybe I'm just cynical.
Asper's plan will carry a price-tag of $145 million, and he'll get sole ownership of the team. The Pro's of Asper's plan are:
1) The new stadium will be built at the same location as the current stadium, and continue to bring business into the area.
2) If the Bombers were privately owned, the team would probably do better and services at the Stadium would be improved. Asper's a fan, and a savvy businessman who would bring stability and success to the team.
3) The 40,000 person capacity would be a good fit for the Bombers.
The Cons:
1) $80 million of public investment. This is absolutely insane. This, in a city where the sewer system needs massive overhaul (which the city claims we can't afford without help from the feds and the province), and where the roads and bridges are in shambles.
2) The stadium will be only partially covered. If taxpayers are expected to pony up $80 million, you'd think we could at least get an enclosed dome of some sort, so it could be of use during Winnipegs long and cold winters.
Okay, on to the CanadInns proposal, the Pros:
1) The CanadInns proposal includes an indoor, climate controlled stadium. This would be more useful to Winnipeg than an indoor stadium.
That was quick, on to the Cons:
1) CanadInns is proposing a $275 million facility, of which they will only be paying $50 million. One can only guess where the remaining $225 million comes from (cough, taxes, cough).
2) The team would remain community-run, meaning fans can expect more of the same mediocre performances from the Big Blue.
3) Location, location, location. CanadInns wants to build the new stadium outside of the perimeter on the Ex grounds. For one, we'd have to rename the team the Headingly Blue Bombers. Two, thats a tonne of shuttle buses to transport the booze-fueled fan to and from each home game. Three, the only other business in the general vicinity for fans to support would be whatever CanadInns decides to put in place.
Overall both proposals are a complete waste of tax dollars. By spending a few million dollars, the old stadium could be upgraded, and Asper's retail complex could also be added. During the Grey Cup this year, we've also seen that there is plenty of room in the current stadium to add extra capacity.
It's beyond me why Winnipeg would want to spend $80 - $225 million on a plan that would give us a slightly more comfortable stadium, with the potential to move a lot of business outside of the city, all the while the roads are too bad to drive there, and you feel guilty using the washrooms because you know the sewage is just going to get dumped into city rivers.
But maybe I'm just cynical.
Labels: Blue Bombers, Manitoba, sports
