Winnipeg Approve New USD190m Stadium Development

The building of a new 33,000 capacity football stadium on the University of Manitoba campus has been approved by the City of Winnipeg and is to open in the spring of 2012.

The city council voted 14-2 in favour of a deal in which the city contribute the majority of the stadium’s US$190 million construction costs. US$85 million of which, however will take the form of a loan to the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Winnipeg Blue Bombers and will be paid over a period of 44 years.

Mayor Sam Katz said: “Some councilors have said this is a good deal. With all due respect, I disagree. It’s a great deal.”