Canad Inns proposes new stadium for the Bombers
Domed
But as far as domes go it looks pretty nice. I think I could come around to the dome, even though I believe football should be played outside. But I guess you gotta give and take. Seating capacity apparently around 30k, but that is open for negotiation, and I think it would be increased. From the FreePress
Breaking News
Domed stadium would cost $265 million
Updated at 1:32 PM
A domed football stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the Public Markets in St. Boniface would cost $265 million — roughly half of a $520- million destination and retail project proposed by the Canad Inns hotel chain.
Canad Inns president and CEO Leo Ledohowski went public with his plans for the former Canada Packers site today, confirming previously reported plans for a four-star hotel and waterpark and retail stores.
Ledohowski attached a $50-million price tag to the hotel/waterpark and $150 million to the retail development.
But he also unveiled a new wrinkle: A $55-million redevelopment of the existing site of Canad Inns Stadium in Polo Park, which in turn would help finance the new football venue in St. Boniface.
Ledohowski hopes this redevelopment, dubbed Blue Bomber Plaza, would generate $7 million a year in “excess profit” and projects it will contribute $90 million toward the cost of building the new stadium — as long as the City of Winnipeg provides a 15-year tax abatement for the Polo Park redevelopment.
The Canad Inns plan is one of two stadium proposals in front of the Winnipeg football Club’s board of directors. David Asper, executive vice-president of media giant CanWest Global, wants to build a $145 million, partly enclosed football stadium/retail complex on the existing Canad Inns Stadium site and assume ownership of the football club.
The Canad Inns proposal would see the team remain community owned. But it calls for the same injection of public funds — $40 million each from the federal and provincial government — as the Asper proposal.
Ledohowski said he is seeking no public funds for the private components of the St. Boniface development.
Bank financing would cover some short-term construction costs, with revenue from the Blue Bomber Plaza and the new domed stadium itself paying back the loan in the long run.
The Winnipeg Football Club is expected to make a choice between the Asper or Canad Inns proposals within months.
go to hell
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