The Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicked off their CFL season Thursday night with a game against the Montreal Alouettes, drawing a sold-out crowd of more than 33,000 to the new Investors Group Field.
The team welcomed back Bomber greats to christen their new home. The stadium officially opened Thursday evening with former quarterback Matt Dunigan throwing a pass to fan-favourite receiver Milt Stegall, who ran the ball through a gold ribbon.
The celebration for the sold-out game started well before its launch with a kickoff run making its way through the province. Over the past five days, 400 runners carried the game ball through eight communities.
“The fact that we allow the fans to carry the ball…embodies what this league stands for and it’s all about - our fans,” said Mark Cohon, CFL commissioner.
Legendary quarterback Ken Ploen ran the game ball into the stadium at the University of Manitoba during the opening ceremony to complete the kick-off run.
For the Bombers, the season opener in the $200 million dollar facility has been a long time coming, after its opening was delayed by a year.
“The special part about today is Manitobans get to celebrate Canada’s first (new) football stadium in 30 years and that’s exciting for all of us,” said Garth Buchko, Bombers CEO.
Fans also said the June 27 game will be a memorable experience. They hoped kinks in the transportation plans had been worked out after gridlock surrounding a recent exhibition game and Taylor Swift concert.
“If the product on the field lives up to what they can be, the trouble of getting in and out isn’t going to be so big a deal,” said Ihor Holowczynsky, a 28 year season-ticket holder.
Thursday night, Bomber fans reported smooth sailing to the game. Gates opened three hours prior to the 8 p.m. kick-off. Police directed traffic at major intersections near the stadium.
Winnipeg Transit made 180 buses available for people using the park and ride service. Cyclists filled up all 450 spots of the stadium's free bike valet, with another approximately 900 bikes counted locked up in the area.
Fans tried to beat the traffic by leaving the stadium before the end of the game, but many were stuck in bumber-to-bumper traffic all the way out of the parking lot. Overall, though, fans said the parking last night was an improvement over the first exhibition game and the Taylor Swift concert.
The final score saw the Bombers lose their first game in their new home to the Montreal Alouettes, 38-33.
- with a report from Ina Sidhu
