Builder says stadium use in Winnipeg’s coldest weather wasn’t planned

WINNIPEG — The builders of Investors Group Field say the original plans for the stadium did take cold weather into consideration, just not the coldest conditions.

This comes after the Manitoba government announced it’s spending $3 million to winterize the Blue Bombers’ new home ahead of next year’s Grey Cup.

“The original design did include provisions for cold weather use,” said Andrew Konowalchuk, the chair of BBB Stadium Inc., in a statement to Global News. “However, the original building design didn’t contemplate an event during the coldest period of our winters, additional enhancements are now being implemented based on potential events at the IGF.”

Just what improvements will be made is a mystery. The premier said it is up to the Winnipeg Football Club to discuss the plans. It is remaining tight lipped.

In 2011, the Bombers played a game on November 20 in -17 C at Canad Inns Stadium.

“It is common to review design details and functionality on a complex building and consider alterations based on the experience of those operating the facility through its first season,” Konowalchuk’s statement said. “Operational improvements have been identified once the building was put into use, occupied and systems tested throughout each season. In particular, we had an unusually cold winter, and based on the feedback from building operations, these improvements are necessary.”

The total cost of Investors Group Field, pegged at around $210 million, is worth it, Selinger said.

“You are going to find this stadium which has a strong use community use component and has a very strong use by the University of Manitoba, which is our largest post secondary institution,” said Greg Selinger.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation fears the cost could climb.

“I don’t think we are ever going to hear the end of the stadium,” said Colin Craig, the CTF’s Prairie director. “They are constantly tripping over themselves with cost overruns, money for this, that and the other thing. It’s a joke and they need to stop throwing money at it.”