CFL season could start in the West

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This article was published 27/05/2021 (1762 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the CFL announced in April that the start of the 2021 season will be delayed to Aug. 5, commissioner Randy Ambrosie said the league expects to make a final decision in the middle of June.

Well, buckle up because mid-June is almost here.

The league has been silent since April’s announcement, but B.C. Lions president Rick LeLacheur recently said a 2021 CFL season schedule, which has been cut down to 14 games due to the late start and will see the Grey Cup being played on Dec. 12 in Hamilton, should be announced in the coming days.

However, the schedule is meaningless if municipal, provincial and federal governments don’t allow CFL stadiums to open their doors to a significant number of fans.

There’s been some chatter the schedule will see the first few weeks of games being played in Western Canada which is what will likely need to happen as Ontario premier Doug Ford came out May 13 and said “My goal is to have the most normal July and August possible. Obviously, that won’t mean large sporting events or concerts.”

Montreal will remain in code red until at least June 7 and Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé said this week that the province’s goal is to have everyone vaccinated by Aug. 31.

Over in Alberta, premier Jason Kenney is singing a much different tune. Alberta released a three-stage reopening plan this week where they anticipate they’ll be at their final stage in late June or early July when it’s been two weeks after 70 per cent of Albertans 12 years or older have received at least one dose.

“As long as we hit these targets, which we anticipate doing by the beginning of July, it would be full capacity,” said Kenney on Calgary’s McMahon Stadium and Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

British Columbia is back to allowing local outdoor practices and games for all ages and announced a four-step plan this week that will see the province return to normalcy in September.

“We need to have bums in seats for these businesses to thrive and prosper, so that’s a key part of the restart plan and we want to do it in a methodical way. The Lions have been very patient. The CFL is looking at an Aug. 5 start and I think that’s achievable, but it’s going to take a plan,” B.C. premier John Horgan said. Saskatchewan’s recently announced plan puts them in a good position for CFL football this summer as they predict to have their restrictions lifted by the second week in July.

Manitoba hasn’t announced a reopening plan yet.taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31