Princess Auto Stadium

Princess Auto Stadium
Princess Auto Stadium in 2024
Princess Auto Stadium is located in Manitoba
Princess Auto Stadium
Princess Auto Stadium
Location in Manitoba
Princess Auto Stadium is located in Canada
Princess Auto Stadium
Princess Auto Stadium
Location in Canada
Former namesInvestors Group Field (2013–19)
IG Field (2019–24)
LocationUniversity of Manitoba, 315 Chancellor Matheson Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Coordinates49°48′28″N 97°8′35″W / 49.80778°N 97.14306°W / 49.80778; -97.14306
OwnerTriple B Stadium Inc. (corporation controlled by the Winnipeg Football Club)
OperatorWinnipeg Football Club
Executive suites46[1]
Capacity32,343[2]
Acreage8 hectares (20 acres)
SurfaceFieldTurf Revolution[3]
Construction
Broke groundMay 20, 2010
OpenedMay 26, 2013
Construction cost$210 million[4]
ArchitectRaymond S.C. Wan
BuilderStuart Olson Dominion Construction
Tenants
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) (2013–present)
Manitoba Bisons (U Sports) (2013–present)
Winnipeg Rifles (CJFL) (2013–2019)
Valour FC (CPL) (2019–present)
Manitoba Fearless (WWCFL) (2013–2019)

Princess Auto Stadium (officially known as IG Field until April 2024)[6] is an outdoor stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[7] The stadium, which opened in 2013, is located on the University of Manitoba campus next to University Stadium.[8]

The stadium is home to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). It is also home to the University of Manitoba Bisons football team, Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League (CPL), the Winnipeg Rifles of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL), the Manitoba Fearless of the Western Women's Canadian Football League (WWCFL), and was a host stadium of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The stadium has a capacity of 32,343 and is partially covered. The stadium contains a corrugated metal roof, restaurant, 52 suites, walk of fame and other amenities.

Ownership

[edit]

The stadium is owned by Triple B Stadium Inc., a non-share corporation incorporated in Manitoba on November 19, 2010. The object of this corporation is to develop, construct and operate a stadium at the University of Manitoba for the Winnipeg Football Club, the University of Manitoba Bisons, amateur athletics, and other public purposes.[9]

Currently, the Winnipeg Football Club has sole control over Triple B Stadium Inc.[9] Originally, Triple B Stadium Inc. was owned by a consortium of the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Football Club and the University of Manitoba.[10]

History

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Development

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The owners of Canad Inns, a Winnipeg-based hotel business and naming rights holder for the Blue Bombers' former stadium, forwarded a plan in 2007 to redevelop the entire site for commercial use and construct a football stadium for the Blue Bombers in another location. This proposal, although rejected in favour of David Asper's plan, called for a $265 million stadium at the former Public Markets site in the St. Boniface industrial park, which Canad Inns purchased from the city. The domed stadium would have been part of a $500 million complex that would have included a four-star hotel and an indoor water park.[11]

David Asper's original proposal involved both federal and provincial government financial contributions ($40 million each), as well as a transfer of assets (the publicly owned Blue Bomber franchise itself will be transferred into Asper's control, and the existing undeveloped commercial real estate surrounding the stadium). As part of Creswin's commitment to the project, Asper pledged to contribute $65 million toward the Maroons Road development. In addition to stadium construction, the Asper proposal included 217,000 sq ft (20,200 m2) of retail development and a two-level parking facility.

Logo from 2013 to 2019
Logo from 2019 to 2024

The Blue Bombers' board of directors investigated the possibility of rebuilding or substantially upgrading the existing stadium, largely with funds generated from the sale or lease of the adjacent commercial lands[12] (the team holds the right to develop this property itself as part of its refinancing agreement with the city of Winnipeg and province of Manitoba). However, being a community owned business, the Bombers organization would have had difficulty in accessing the capital required to move forward with such plans directly. The board placed its plans on hold pending the outcome of Asper's proposal.

The government was unwilling to grant Asper the $40 million at both the provincial and federal levels because it believed the money to be more of a gift than a grant. Creswin drew up a second proposal, where the same 30,000–40,000-seat stadium would be built instead in south Point Douglas.[13] This new plan, they said, would greatly aid in urban renewal in what is the poorest neighborhood in Winnipeg. There was also a state-of-the-art water park and hotel, commercial buildings and several other new buildings in the multimillion-dollar proposal. However, there was controversy as well because south Point Douglas is an avid art community, and many of the residents did not want their character buildings to be destroyed or suffer the loss of their homes.[14]

Inside IG Field in 2018

A letter of intent was signed on September 13, 2009, between Asper's Creswin Properties and the University of Manitoba, allowing planning to continue for a stadium at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Drive and University Crescent. The site is adjacent to the current University Stadium, which was built for the 1967 Pan American Games. The new proposal includes the construction of a 33,422-seat stadium, renovation of the existing stadium, and a world-class fitness facility. Inflatable "bubbles" covering the playing field were also proposed for both stadiums during the winter months. The cost of the new stadium, was projected to be $115 million.[15]

The new stadium would also be home of the University of Manitoba Bisons football team. The design allows for expansion to 40,000 seats for the Grey Cup (however for the 2015 Grey Cup 36,500 seats were available). The stadium was approved on 2 April 2009. The province of Manitoba later agreed to loan David Asper $90 million in order to guarantee the project would break ground in 2010 and ensure the stadium would open for 2012.[16][17] CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, Premier of Manitoba Greg Selinger, David Asper, Mayor of Winnipeg Sam Katz and U of M President David Barnard officially broke ground at the site on May 20, 2010.

Asper and Creswin were removed from the deal as they made significant changes to the stadium design which broke the original contract.[18] The revised cost amounted to $190 million, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers paying back $85 million, and the provincial and city levels of government splitting the rest of the costs as previously proposed.

The naming rights were awarded to Investors Group, the leading subsidiary of Winnipeg-based IGM Financial. In accordance with the corporate rebranding of Investors Group as IG Wealth Management, the name of the stadium was shortened to IG Field in 2018.[19] In January 2024, the Winnipeg Football Club struck a new 10-year sponsorship deal with Princess Auto, with the stadium to be renamed Princess Auto Stadium in April 2024.[6][20]

In 2024, nearly 11 years after the stadium's opening, Winnipeg Football Club is spending approximately $2 million into replace the original turf. The asphalt surrounding the field and the goalposts will also be replaced.[20]

Controversy

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The new stadium was expected to be ready for the start of the 2012 season.[21] However, on May 2, 2012, the Blue Bombers announced that because of construction delays, the stadium would not be ready until September, thus forcing the team to play four or five home games at Canad Inns Stadium to start the season.[22] In June 2012, it was announced the stadium would not open until the 2013 season.[23] In December 2013, it was reported the previously announced inflatable dome had been dropped from the plans in 2012.[24]

In 2014, the builder, Stuart Olson Dominion, put a $1.9 million lien on the stadium because it claimed it was owed for some of the cost overruns.[25] This dispute was resolved later that year, with the province contributing an additional $1.5 million to cover additional costs incurred during construction, bringing the total cost to $210 million.[4]

On March 4, 2015, the stadium's ownership group, Triple B Stadium Inc., announced its intention to sue architect Ray Wan and builder Stuart Olson Dominion.[26] In the statement of claim, it cited water damage caused by insufficient drainage in the building, as well as inadequate insulation and "extensive" cracking in the concrete among a total of 42 deficiencies.[10] On April 23, Stuart Olson filed a statement of defence denying most of Triple B's allegations, stating the shell company — which represents the city, province, university and the Winnipeg Football Club — made all the key construction decisions, in concert with the province, which paid for most of the construction up front. Stuart Olson also alleged political and financial factors led the province to rush the job and reduce its budget.[27]

On October 27, 2015, the government of Manitoba announced it would pay $35 million to repair the stadium. It would then seek compensation for this further outlay of money from the proceeds of the aforementioned lawsuit.[28]

Notable events

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Canadian football

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An in-game photo of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on offence against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Blue Bombers played their first home game at Investors Group Field on June 27, 2013, losing 38–33 to the Montreal Alouettes.[29][30]

The stadium hosted the 103rd Grey Cup in 2015[31] and will host the 112th Grey Cup in 2025.[32]

Soccer

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On May 8, 2014, the Canadian women's national team played the United States in the first soccer match at Investors Group Field, finishing in a 1–1 draw.[33]

In June 2015, Winnipeg was one of six Canadian cities that hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup. The first four matches of Group D—between the United States, Australia, Sweden and Nigeria—were contested at Investors Group Field, followed by two matches from other groups (Germany v Thailand, New Zealand v China) as well as a first round playoff match between Japan v Ecuador.[34] Due to FIFA sponsorship rules, the venue was referred to as Winnipeg Stadium during the World Cup.[35]

The Canada vs United States women's soccer game exhibition played in May 2014 to a 1–1 draw.

In 2019, IG Field became the home of Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League.[36] In the 2021 Canadian Premier League season, the field hosted a bio-secure bubble for the initial matches of the season ("The Kickoff") due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All matches were played behind closed doors and in compliance with provincial public health orders.[37]

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Date Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Attendance
June 8, 2015  Sweden 3–3  Nigeria Group D 31,148
 United States 3–1  Australia 31,148
June 12, 2015  Australia 2–0  Nigeria 32,716
 United States 0–0  Sweden 32,716
June 15, 2015  Germany 4–0  Thailand Group B 26,191
 China 2–2  New Zealand Group A 26,191
June 16, 2015  Ecuador 0–1  Japan Group C 14,522

Ice hockey

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Investors Group Field hosted the fourth installment of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Heritage Classic on October 23, 2016, in which the Winnipeg Jets lost 3–0 to the Edmonton Oilers in front of a sold-out crowd. The Classic's customary alumni game was played a day earlier and featured players from the former Jets franchise returning to Winnipeg to play the Oilers alumni team. The Jets alumni, led by Teemu Selänne and Dale Hawerchuk, defeated Wayne Gretzky's Oilers squad 6–5 in a shootout.[38]

American football

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IG Field hosted an NFL preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders on August 22, 2019.[39][40] The teams largely avoided playing starters in the game. In attempting to move the goalposts back five yards to put them behind the endzone—as is customary in American football—it left holes in each end zone that the NFL deemed a safety hazard. Since this discovery came too late to put the goalposts back and repaint the field, each ten-yard line was hastily converted to a goal line by adding pylons to shorten the field to 80 yards (from the standard 100 yard field/10 yard endzones used for American football), and kickoffs were eliminated.[41] The changes did not have an appreciable impact on the game according to Raiders coach Jon Gruden, and most of the coaches and players otherwise praised IG Field's playing surface.[42][43]

Date Away Score Home Ref.
August 22, 2019 Green Bay Packers 21–22 Oakland Raiders Recap

Concerts

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Date Artist(s) Opening act(s) Tour Tickets sold Revenue Additional notes
June 22, 2013 Taylor Swift Ed Sheeran
Austin Mahone
Joel Crouse		 The Red Tour 33,061 / 33,061 $3,175,430 The stadium's first concert.[44]
August 12, 2013 Paul McCartney — Out There 30,149 / 30,149 $4,079,490 "Mull of Kintyre" was performed with the City of Winnipeg Police Pipe Band.[45]
July 27, 2014 Beyoncé
Jay Z		 — On the Run Tour 29,542 / 29,542 $3,187,580
July 24, 2015 One Direction Icona Pop On the Road Again Tour 24,991 / 24,991 $1,872,587 The band performed a cover of "Happy Birthday" by Mildred J. Hill and Liam Payne and "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias.
September 17, 2015 AC/DC Vintage Trouble Rock or Bust World Tour 34,000 / 34,000 —
August 24, 2017 Guns N' Roses Our Lady Peace Not In This Lifetime... Tour 30,741 / 30,741 $3,008,250 A cover of Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden was performed as a tribute to Chris Cornell

Other events

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The stadium hosted its first event on May 26, 2013, with the One Heart Winnipeg celebration, a multi-denominational church service organized by several local church groups.[46]

Nitro Circus Live came to the stadium in 2017.[47]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Brent Bellamy (10 October 2011). "The Jets – and a big-league stadium, too". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  2. ^ "Stadium Information". www.bluebombers.com. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  3. ^ "Stadium Information". www.bluebombers.com. Retrieved 2014-11-11.
  4. ^ a b "Stadium dispute resolved, final price tag $210 million". Winnipeg Free Press. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  5. ^ "Stadium History". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Winnipeg Blue Bombers home venue to be renamed Princess Auto Stadium in April". TSN. The Canadian Press. 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  7. ^ "Blue Bombers to get new stadium and new owner". TSN. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  8. ^ Peter Caulfield (28 March 2011). "Winnipeg football stadium to be ready for 2012 season". Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  9. ^ a b "2023 Annual Report: Winnipeg Football Club" (PDF).
  10. ^ a b Sean Kavanagh (5 March 2015). "Lawsuit alleges Winnipeg's IGF stadium leaky, mouldy". CBC Manitoba. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  11. ^ "Canad Inns proposes domed stadium for Winnipeg". CBC News. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  12. ^ "McGowan Russell Group". Mcgowanrussell.com. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Asper unveils new stadium vision". Winnipeg Free Press. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  14. ^ Gary Lawless (27 March 2010). "Selinger grabs ball on stadium". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  15. ^ "Bombers stadium costs climb higher". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  16. ^ Bartley Kives (31 March 2010). "Manitoba gives $90M loan for new Bombers stadium". National Post. Retrieved 2010-04-07.[dead link]
  17. ^ Ed Tait (20 May 2010). "Sod turns on new stadium". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  18. ^ "Asper out of Blue Bomber stadium plans". CBC Sports. December 13, 2010. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  19. ^ Dacey, Elisha (May 10, 2019). "Investors Group Field changing name to IG Field". Global News. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Bombers' home to be renamed Princess Auto Stadium". The Free Press. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Ross Romaniuk (2011-09-07). "Blue Bombers stadium taking shape". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  22. ^ Gary Lawless and Bruce Owen (25 May 2012). "First game in new stadium could be as early as Sept. 9: Bombers". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  23. ^ "Bombers to play entire season at Canad Inns Stadium". Winnipeg Free Press. June 15, 2012.
  24. ^ Bartley Kives (6 December 2013). "Winter stadium bubble deemed impractical". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  25. ^ Bartley Kives (10 January 2014). "Construction firm slaps lien on stadium". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  26. ^ Bartley Kives (4 March 2015). "Stadium owner to sue architect, builder over water drainage, insulation problems". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  27. ^ "Strife over Investors Group Field is hurting the Bombers". Winnipegfreepress.com. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  28. ^ "Premier Greg Selinger defends $35M loan guarantee to fix Investors Group Field". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  29. ^ "CFL releases 2013 regular season schedule". CBC. March 5, 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  30. ^ Paul Wiecek (28 June 2013). "Bombers late to the party". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  31. ^ Judy Owen (26 March 2014). "CFL to show off Investors Group Field as Winnipeg picked to host 2015 Grey Cup". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  32. ^ "112th Grey Cup in 2025 awarded to Winnipeg". CFL.ca. 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  33. ^ Ed Tait (May 9, 2014). "World's best can't beat Canada". Winnipeg Free Press.
  34. ^ Ed Tait (5 May 2012). "Winnipeg to host FIFA Women's World Cup". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
  35. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ Destination: Winnipeg". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  36. ^ "'Total excitement' as Canadian Premier League announces Valour FC, Winnipeg's new professional soccer team". Canadian Premier League. June 6, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  37. ^ "'The Kickoff' is coming: Winnipeg chosen as hub city for Canadian Premier League". CTV News Winnipeg. June 6, 2021. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  38. ^ "Winnipeg Jets beat Edmonton Oilers 6-5 at Heritage Classic alumni game". GlobalNews.ca. October 22, 2016.
  39. ^ "Winnipeg to host NFL pre-season game between Raiders and Packers". CTV News Winnipeg. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  40. ^ "Attempt to host NFL preseason game in Regina stopped short of the goal line". CBC News. March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  41. ^ Breech, John (23 August 2019). "Packers, Raiders forced to play on shortened field with different rules due to unsafe conditions in Canada". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  42. ^ Gordon, Grant (August 22, 2019). "Raiders, Packers play preseason game on 80-yard field". NFL.com. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  43. ^ "Raiders beat Packers in Winnipeg on reconfigured 80-yard field". Sportsnet. Canadian Press. August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  44. ^ Bartley Kives (December 8, 2012). "Fewer bums in seats at Investors Group Field". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  45. ^ "Paul McCartney to play Winnipeg Aug. 12". Winnipeg Free Press. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  46. ^ Alexandra Hall (May 27, 2013). "Church service a first look at Bombers' new digs". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  47. ^ Winnipeg, Access (2017-01-26). "2017 Nitro Circus Live North American Tour Hits Winnipeg June 9". Access Winnipeg. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Investors Group Field.
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2013–present 		Succeeded by
Current stadium
Preceded by Home of the Manitoba Bisons football team
2013–present 		Succeeded by
Current stadium
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