'A snapshot inside': Winnipeg man creates Lego version of final Jets game
A Winnipeg man pieced together a miniature version of a key moment in Winnipeg Jets history.
Scott Templeton has created an image showing the final Jets game at the Winnipeg Arena on April 28, 1996, using Lego pieces.
A closeup of Scott Templeton's Winnipeg Arena Lego design shows the stands and the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II that was displayed. (Image source: Scott Templeton)“When I was a kid, I used to build hockey arenas, but they were, you know, pretty, pretty small, lots of colourful pieces. I would write on the pieces with a marker to try and get more details,” Templeton said during a recent interview. “And I always kind of knew, later on, I want to, you know, build something big, you know, to a lot more of a higher standard. So, you know, it's about a year ago, I thought, hey, you know, I think it's time to go back at that idea and try to build an actual kind of scalable hockey rink.”
Templeton chose the Winnipeg Arena, which was demolished in 2006, because he enjoys history, and said the old arena had “more character.” He watched old broadcasts of the final game on YouTube, scoured photos and talked with friends and family to help construct the arena.
“I found that, pretty much, everybody had a different story, some kind of unique moment or unique aspect, and all those little things kind of helped piece it together as well,” he said.
The arena figure includes advertisements in certain spots, the banner saying “Our Jets Will Fly 4 Ever” that was on display at the game, and the Queen Portrait, though rendered in the style of a Lego figure. Fans clad in white for the Winnipeg White Out dot the stands.
“I built basically a snapshot inside,” Templeton said. “If you were to kind of pop your head in the middle of a game, or in this case in the middle of warm up and look in, that's what you'd see.”
Templeton worked on the project on and off for approximately one year, saying it took approximately 40 hours to complete, and has approximately 20,000 Lego bricks. He said finding figures in white has been a challenge.
He has shown the completed design at the Manitoba Mega Train Show and at a convention in Saskatchewan, and he is amazed at the reaction.
A closeup of Scott Templeton's Winnipeg Arena Lego design, showing the fans and the banner that flew during the final game. (Image source: Scott Templeton)
“There will be people that walk by, and just stop and smile,” Templeton said. “And you can just kind of tell they're just remembering something, remembering a game or concert, they're remembering something about that place.”
Templeton said he is open to displaying his project in public again if asked.
A closeup of Scott Templeton's Winnipeg Arena Lego design, showing the bench. (Image source: Scott Templeton)
Scott Templeton poses with his completed Lego design of the Winnipeg Arena circa 1996. (Image source: Scott Templeton)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street