The following message is being sent on behalf of Deborah McCallum, Vice-President (Administration):
To: Students, Faculty and Staff:
From: Deborah McCallum, Vice-President (Administration)
Date: February 22, 2012
Re: Event Day Plan Open House – February 29, 2012
As the Investors Group Field takes shape on our campus, we are excited by the opportunities the new, world-class stadium will bring to our university community.
The new stadium brings with it a number of significant benefits to University of Manitoba staff, students and surrounding community residents. Our new Active Living Centre, two lighted artificial turf soccer fields and the football field to be shared by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Bisons and the community, combined will mean the University of Manitoba will be home to some of the best sports and recreation facilities in the country.
While these facilities provide great benefits to students, faculty, staff and the City of Winnipeg, we also recognize our responsibility to ensure game and event days are positive experiences and involve minimal disruption to our community members.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Canadian Football League were mindful of the need for that balance when they developed the schedule for the upcoming season. In total, there are nine home games slated for 2012. Of those, four are weekend games scheduled on Saturday or Sunday. Of five weekday games, four are scheduled during July and August when there are fewer students, faculty and staff members on campus. Weekday games will also start at 7 p.m. or later to ensure efficient traffic and transit access to the Fort Garry Campus.
To minimize any negative impact on our university community, we are working closely with the Winnipeg Football Club and the City of Winnipeg to draft a comprehensive event day plan. This plan outlines access to campus during events, transit opportunities, parking options and a variety of other elements which we believe will make the event day experience a positive one for all.
The University of Manitoba is hosting an Open House to present details of the plan and to solicit feedback on its contents from our community. The President and I encourage you all to attend.
The Open House will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 12:30-4:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room, 2nd Floor University Centre.
Facilitators will be available at the open house to discuss the plan and address any concerns or questions. In addition, a new website will be launched on Feb. 29 that will provide on-going updates and further information.
The City of Winnipeg is also hosting an Open House for area residents to obtain information on the plan on February 29 from 4 to 8:30 pm in the library at Dalhousie School, 262 Dalhousie Drive, Winnipeg. Interested area residents are also invited to attend that event. A second City of Winnipeg Open House will be held at the Canad Inn Fort Garry on Saturday, March 3 from 10 to 3 pm. Additional open house events will be hosted at a variety of locations around the city in the coming weeks and months.
We believe Investors Group Field at the University of Manitoba will become a focal point for the positive transformational change in the spaces where we live, work, study, discover and play. Together, we can ensure a seamless transition into this positive new era for sports and recreation in our city and province.