Around the CFL 2025

[Looner]

New year means new thread.

Interesting name added to the 2025 draft, to bad we don't have a first rounder......yet.

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/03/a...025-cfl-draft/

[Esks4ever]

...yet??

[bombervu]

...

[Looner]

...yet??

Just speculating as a new GM always likes to put his stamp on the team

[tigerdar]

Wifey and I have picked our 2 away games for this year. Saskatchewan and Toronto. That'll leave us just Wpg, Ott and Mtl. Let's hope we're competitive this year I've only seen 1 road win.

[Looner]

Wifey and I have picked our 2 away games for this year. Saskatchewan and Toronto. That'll leave us just Wpg, Ott and Mtl. Let's hope we're competitive this year I've only seen 1 road win.

Wicked, I think I'll be going to the first game of the year in BC as the father in law is a Lions fan and has never seen a game there.

[tigerdar]

Wicked, I think I'll be going to the first game of the year in BC as the father in law is a Lions fan and has never seen a game there.

it's a good stadium imho lots of food/bevvy choices.

[Looner]

it's a good stadium imho lots of food/bevvy choices.

I've been to a few grey cups there but have never seen the Elks/Eskimos play there so I'm excited. In 2025 my father in law turns 70, I turn 50, my brother in law turns 40 and my nephew turns 30 so we're making a little trip of it.

[Hammer24]

I've been to a few grey cups there but have never seen the Elks/Eskimos play there so I'm excited. In 2025 my father in law turns 70, I turn 50, my brother in law turns 40 and my nephew turns 30 so we're making a little trip of it.

If you're wanting a hotel suggestion that is literally on the front steps of BC Place and a more inexpensive than any other downtown Van hotels try the YWCA Hotel. It's become my go-to for football season. It sounded like a weird option for a guy but I gave it a shot for the 2022 season opener when I could save $50/night vs Sandman around the corner. It's quite popular with travelers of all ages from all over the world.

They offer all kinds of room options from hostel type with bathrooms/showers down the hall to regular hotel rooms like 2 queens w/private bathrooms. They also have rooms with 5 single beds w/private bathroom which might suit your crew if it's a guys' trip. I'm always traveling to games solo so always go with a single bed w/semi-private bathroom. I can't make that season opener vs EE but have already booked for the following 4 games.

It's been renovated over the past 3 years so everything is new and immaculately cleaned. They only have vending machines for food services but the likes of Boston Pizza, Shark Club, Moxies, Browns and Original Joe's are all within 2 blocks. Frankie's next door in the Georgian Court, Moxies and OJ's all serve breakfast.

https://ywcavan.org/hotel

[Looner]

If you're wanting a hotel suggestion that is literally on the front steps of BC Place and a more inexpensive than any other downtown Van hotels try the YWCA Hotel. It's become my go-to for football season. It sounded like a weird option for a guy but I gave it a shot for the 2022 season opener when I could save $50/night vs Sandman around the corner. It's quite popular with travelers of all ages from all over the world.

They offer all kinds of room options from hostel type with bathrooms/showers down the hall to regular hotel rooms like 2 queens w/private bathrooms. They also have rooms with 5 single beds w/private bathroom which might suit your crew if it's a guys' trip. I'm always traveling to games solo so always go with a single bed w/semi-private bathroom. I can't make that season opener vs EE but have already booked for the following 4 games.

It's been renovated over the past 3 years so everything is new and immaculately cleaned. They only have vending machines for food services but the likes of Boston Pizza, Shark Club, Moxies, Browns and Original Joe's are all no within 2 blocks. Frankie's next door in the Georgian Court, Moxies and OJ's all serve breakfast.

https://ywcavan.org/hotel

perfect thanks for the suggestion!!!!

[tigerdar]

I've been to a few grey cups there but have never seen the Elks/Eskimos play there so I'm excited. In 2025 my father in law turns 70, I turn 50, my brother in law turns 40 and my nephew turns 30 so we're making a little trip of it.

I just hit 48....isn't getting older so much fun?? (eye roll)

I see Hammer gave you a suggestion, when my wife and I stayed there in 2018 we stayed at the Sandman it was fine but it was costly for a room that was barely bigger than my office.

[glenvb]

Mere infants... This spring, I'll turn 60.

[Hammer24]

I just hit 48....isn't getting older so much fun?? (eye roll)

I see Hammer gave you a suggestion, when my wife and I stayed there in 2018 we stayed at the Sandman it was fine but it was costly for a room that was barely bigger than my office.

I've stayed at the Sandman probably 100 times over the last 40 years. I know what you mean. The rooms are quite small in the original tower, especially the ones with 1 queen bed. You access the original tower via the elevators next to the Shark Club. The rooms in the newer tower are quite roomier in comparison. I do admit to getting spoiled by their 2021 rates when the cruise ship industry was shut down. Rates that year were usually around $175. With cruise ships back in business they are now back up into the $400 range. What led me to try the YWCA was that while I was checking in at the Sandman the manager noticed I'd been booking via Expedia. He told me in the future to call in and I'd get a better rate. As I was booking for the season opener for the following season I did my online research seeing the YWCA rate and Sandman rates. I think the Y was about $75 cheaper online. So I called the Sandman direct and they offered something like $25 less. I said thanks I'll get back to you and booked at the Y.

The only drawback I've found with the YWCA is they have limited parking available in their secured underground parade, probably 25 spaces. It's first come, first serve. Can't reserve a spot. Fortunately a lot of the clientele are international travelers without vehicles. I always try to check-in mid-afternoon to secure a spot. Once or twice I had to find offsite parking. They suggested trying the desk at the Sandman about using their underground lot. There used to be a big lot across from the Sandman where the bus depot was years ago. Unfortunately that's now under construction as the future home of the Vancouver Art Gallery. There are other public lots nearby. If staying more than one night one can usually check the front desk the morning after the first night and get a spot as they open up with check-outs.

[Looner]

I just hit 48....isn't getting older so much fun?? (eye roll)

I see Hammer gave you a suggestion, when my wife and I stayed there in 2018 we stayed at the Sandman it was fine but it was costly for a room that was barely bigger than my office.

yup its great, sneezing is now considered a high risk activity.

[tigerdar]

I've stayed at the Sandman probably 100 times over the last 40 years. I know what you mean. The rooms are quite small in the original tower, especially the ones with 1 queen bed. You access the original tower via the elevators next to the Shark Club. The rooms in the newer tower are quite roomier in comparison. I do admit to getting spoiled by their 2021 rates when the cruise ship industry was shut down. Rates that year were usually around $175. With cruise ships back in business they are now back up into the $400 range. What led me to try the YWCA was that while I was checking in at the Sandman the manager noticed I'd been booking via Expedia. He told me in the future to call in and I'd get a better rate. As I was booking for the season opener for the following season I did my online research seeing the YWCA rate and Sandman rates. I think the Y was about $75 cheaper online. So I called the Sandman direct and they offered something like $25 less. I said thanks I'll get back to you and booked at the Y.

The only drawback I've found with the YWCA is they have limited parking available in their secured underground parade, probably 25 spaces. It's first come, first serve. Can't reserve a spot. Fortunately a lot of the clientele are international travelers without vehicles. I always try to check-in mid-afternoon to secure a spot. Once or twice I had to find offsite parking. They suggested trying the desk at the Sandman about using their underground lot. There used to be a big lot across from the Sandman where the bus depot was years ago. Unfortunately that's now under construction as the future home of the Vancouver Art Gallery. There are other public lots nearby. If staying more than one night one can usually check the front desk the morning after the first night and get a spot as they open up with check-outs.

I got pretty drunk at the Shark Club lol.