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June 25, 2007
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Deal For CFL Blue Bombers Stadium Could Take Team Private

The Winnipeg Football Club (WFC) unanimously signed a letter of intent with former CFL Blue Bombers Chair David Asper on a new stadium proposal that “would effectively end 77 years of community ownership” of the franchise, according to Kirk Penton of the WINNIPEG SUN. Asper must acquire C$40M each from the federal and Manitoba governments “to put towards a new [C$120M] facility.” He said that if he can secure the funding he “would also assume control of the team.” Penton reported Asper would put C$40M toward the stadium and another C$25M toward commercial development on the existing site. WFC Chair Ken Hildahl said, “The final deal won’t get voted on until the whole package is before the board. What we’ve done is agreed to take it to the next step. It’s far from a done deal.” Penton noted the new stadium “could be ready to go in 2009” if construction begins next spring (WINNIPEG SUN, 6/23). However, Canada Treasury Board President Vic Toews said that the stadium “is not a priority” to the federal government. Toews: “Our federal infrastructure dollars are scarce. ... It’s difficult for me to justify [C$40M] of federal tax dollars for a football stadium.” Manitoba Premier Gary Doer indicated that he would be “apt to sign on to a deal similar to the funding model of the MTS Centre [in Winnipeg], which asked the government for one-third funding while two-thirds came from private investors” (Rochelle Squires, WINNIPEG SUN, 6/23).

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