WINNIPEG – It was the Taylor Swift concert all over again – a smooth ride in, gridlock heading out.
Fans were enthusiastic as the CFL season opened at the new Investors Group Field with the Blue Bombers facing the Montreal Allouettes on Thursday night.
But just as the Bombers blew a nine-point lead with a late-game loss to the Montreal Allouettes, the celebratory spirit at the start of the game died away as fans faced lengthy delays in getting away from the stadium.
“We’ve been sitting here for 45 minutes and we’ve moved, like, five cars,” one fan said after the game. “We got an hour commute all the way home, so not happy.”
The game ended at 11:25 p.m. and cars were stuck in parking lots and crowds waited for buses well past midnight.
People also complained that sidewalks weren’t lit so people who parked farther away faced hazards walking in the dark, while some walked on the roads, slowing down traffic even more.
The problems followed a congratulatory mood before the game.
“It took maybe half an hour. We came from Assiniboia Downs. We parked, got on the bus. It was very well-organized, like, I’m thrilled. No worries whatsoever,” a woman said on her way into the stadium.
“The preseason was crazy and this is – I don’t know who fixed it, but good job,” another bus rider said before the game.
Taylor Swift fans faced similar gridlock when they left the singer’s June 22 concert at Investors Group Field.
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