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June 21, 2013

Enhancements to Blue Bomber game day plan announced

After more than a week of collaborative planning sessions with Winnipeg Transit, Winnipeg City Police, Winnipeg Public Works, the University of Manitoba and other stakeholders, the Winnipeg Football Club today unveiled enhancements to its parking & transportation plan for Blue Bomber games at Investors Group Field.

“Our football fans deserve the best experience possible on game day and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure they get it,” said Jim Bell, Vice-President and COO of the Winnipeg Football Club. “We thank them immensely and ask for their patience as we all continue to work through these early stage growing pains.”

Bell added that while all partners and stakeholders believe the changes will improve parking and traffic flows, they are equally committed to even further enhancements that may result from the experience the team will gain handling fans and traffic during Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert and next Thursday’s Blue Bomber game.

 

ENHANCEMENTS FOR THE JUNE 27 BLUE BOMBER GAME INCLUDE:

 

1.   Significantly Increased Transit Capacity:

  • Significantly more buses at Park & Ride locations
  • Buses will depart once they are full with another ready to begin loading right after

    • – Extra buses will enhance regular transit service including on the University Super Express (route 161)

2.   Dedicated Special Event Bus-Only Lanes

3.   Winnipeg Police Service at Key Intersections:

  • To helpdirect traffic, officers will be located at key intersections

4.   Earlier Access to Campus and Stadium on June 27:

  • Gates open and on campus parking starts at 5:00 p.m.
  • Fans are asked to be in their seats by 7:15 p.m.
  • Nationally-televised Official Opening Ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. sharp
  • Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m.

5.   Improved On Campus Parking Process:

  • The number of parking attendants will double as will the amount of signage. This will be coupled with directional merge lanes and the simultaneous filling of on campus parking lots
  • Parking passes must be visible on rear view mirror before fans enter campus and remain hanging throughout the game

6.   More Parking “Booster” Lots along Pembina:

7.   Expanded Bike Valet:

  • The secure, monitored bike valet will expand from 400 to about 650 spots. It is located at the north end of the stadium. 

 Also resulting from these stakeholder discussions, details on a customized plan for the Taylor Swift concert were discussed earlier this week.  Check out www.investorsgroupfield.ca/concerts/ for full details.

“Among the many things we learned since our Exhibition game is that each event has unique needs that require some customization,” said Bell.  “As a result, we have created separate web pages for Concerts and Blue Bombers on www.investorsgroupfield.ca. We encourage fans to check out the exact event they plan to attend as details will vary.”

He pointed to the need to provide Taylor Swift fans with large drop-off zones – a very different requirement than what is needed for Blue Bomber games.