Bombers tackle rowdyism

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This article was published 18/05/2010 (5778 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Loud and proud is good. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will never turn on their faithful who live each down like it’s the fourth quarter of the Grey Cup.

But loud and proud patrons who become rowdy and drunk are often a nightmare for the Bombers, other fans and those who are forced to control them.

And that’s why the football club — after consultations with the Winnipeg Police Service and the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission — is making a significant change to its game day operation in an effort to control intoxicated fans.

The Bombers made official Monday a "no re-entry" policy that means fans will no longer be able to exit Canad Inns Stadium and then return after having their tickets scanned, although exceptions may be made early this season for those who forget jackets, umbrellas or other items and wish to retrieve them. Both the football club and the Winnipeg Police Service believe some fans have been regularly leaving during games to consume cheaper alcohol nearby and then return to the stadium intoxicated.

The change came about after incidents involving the police and intoxicated fans became more prevalent last year, leaving some spectators feeling unsafe at games. As well, the police will have a more significant presence at games — previously they would have approximately 20 officers on-site — while the football club will work to train the stadium service staff to better identify fans who have over-indulged.

"We took everything into consideration going back over the last few years and the number of incidents in the stadium during the course of a football game have risen to the point where we felt it necessary to look at it internally," said Bomber president Jim Bell.

"We want everybody from the moment they arrive on grounds to the moment they leave to have had a tremendous game-day experience. There’s an awful lot of people here who want to come and enjoy the game thoroughly and not have to worry about anything that is rowdy or disrespectful.

"We needed to do something to protect the whole game-day experience in the parking lot, in the stadium… we want our fans coming back and if those incidents continue to rise then it implies that we’re really not taking it seriously.

"So, this off-season we took everything into account: the number of incidents, the types of incidents and, to be honest, a lot of them are alcohol-related and that’s why we felt the need to do something.

"I really believe our fans will support this initiative."

Certainly the Winnipeg Police Service and the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission support it after having to deal with a number of consumption-related incidents and complaints at Bomber games.

"We found that a lot of people were leaving, drinking at halftime — how much I don’t know — but we’re hoping that by keeping everybody in-house there’s less chance of the binge drinking and people going out and coming back intoxicated," said Ken Taplin of the Winnipeg Police Service. "We found they were going all over but we’re hoping the no-entry will settle it down and that people will drink what’s here and drink responsibly.

"Ultimately, we’re here for a reason but if we don’t have to engage people and everybody’s having a good time it makes everybody happy — especially us because we’re not having to take anybody away from the game."

The club unveiled a number of other initiatives at a press conference on Monday, including increased concession services that will see Salisbury House add locations in both upper concourses and a mobile location in the parking lot near the Bomber Store, more items added to the menu list, while Pizza Hotline will set up two permanent locations in the main concourse.

Bomber alumni will be at all gates welcoming fans to the game while CJOB will now broadcast its pre-game show from outside the stadium as fans arrive. The club will also unveil an ‘Energy Team’ that will be present throughout the stadium giving away prizes and pushing in-game promotions.

The Bombers are celebrating their 80th year in 2010 and have scheduled a number of celebrations, including commemorating their history at their home opener on July 2; a salute to Folklorama on July 24; a 1970s Retro Game on Aug. 13; a salute to military on Oct. 23 and Fan Appreciation Night on Nov. 5.

Main training camp for the team begins on June 6.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

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