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Epic fail or envy of other CFL cities?

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 05/6/2012 3:43 PM | Comments: 0

Garth Buchko, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, made Winnipeg’s worst-kept secret official on Wednesday: Investors Group Field’s opening will be months late, with Bombers brass hoping to be ready for the Sept. 9 Banjo Bowl but only able to promise a Sept. 21 home game will be played there. Readers bombed our site with their comments.

Take this announcement with a pound of salt.

— bodaggin

Just pull the plug on playing there this year. Apologize for the overly aggressive timeline and plan for 2013.

I will be more upset walking into an unfinished stadium in September.

— Chili P

Enough already! When it’s completed, it will open. Who cares how late it is or when they said it would open? I would rather it be done correctly than it be a rush job to please all you yahoos.

I can’t wait for it to open either, it looks spectacular already.

— 23649997

The bottom line is we’re going to have a first-class facility. Yes, it will be later than we were told. Deal with it and move on. Next year no one will care, and we will be the envy of every other team in the league.

— JayR

It would be much simpler to open in 2013.

This will put less pressure on the construction process and will allow for ample time to complete all aspects of the project in a quality manner.

— RJF

Bravo, Buchko. Not even Leslie Nielsen could deliver your lines with a straight face.

— alexo1

Can we say DAMAGE CONTROL! They sounded like a bunch of guys out drinking who got caught by their wives.

— Boomerblues

At this rate the CMHR will be done first.

— JustWondering

Maybe someone should have checked Environment Canada’s webpage for info on wind if it was such a critical matter. 20 mph or 32 km/h gusts are COMMON in Winnipeg. Epic Fail...

— Agape

The season should be played out in the old stadium, and then use the grand opening of the new stadium at the beginning of next season in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary.

— momof31

In many other areas, contractors can give real dates and there are penalties if missed. Guess that’s maybe when the private sector is engaged, with no union and no taxpayer to pick up overages.

— eric69

The only beef I have is the four games on the road to start the season. That was a direct result of how the Blue Bombers mismanaged this boondoggle. If this season goes south in a hurry, I won’t be blaming the team, but the guys who were responsible for putting them at a disadvantage from the get-go.

— SignKennyPloen

Sept. 9, 2013?

— New Hat

I think it’s just the false promises that leave a bitter taste in a large percentage of people’s mouths. If this wasn’t so hyped, and all the absolute statements (last game in the Canad Inns, there will be no delays, etc.) weren’t made, there wouldn’t be this much negativity.

— R45

And in other news, Buchko shows up to the press conference with a hairstyle similar to how the roof of the new stadium will look when complete.

— next Mayor

Knowing the Bombers’ luck over the last 23 years, the stadium should be ready about the same time the team is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs!

— Ozzy

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