Last Saturday the Tiger-Cats and their fans closed down an iconic CFL venue in Hamilton's Ivor Wynne Stadium. This Saturday, it's the Winnipeg Blue Bombers turn to say goodbye to their old stomping grounds, Canad Inns Stadium.
And sure, it's a year later than originally planned, but with the new Investors Group Field ready to go for 2013, it will still be a special day for fans of the Blue and Gold.
Originally constructed in 1953 as Winnipeg Stadium to house growing crowds for the exciting Jack Jacobs-led teams of the era, Canad Inns has housed all Blue Bombers home games since the '50s, and hosted three Grey Cup games.
The Stadium's first Grey Cup was the Hollywood-feel 1991 game, where the Wayne Gretzky/John Candy-owned Toronto Argonauts defeated the Calgary Stampeders. The most recent at Canad Inns, in 2006, saw current Bombers QB Buck Pierce win a Grey Cup as a member of the BC Lions.
Outside of football, the stadium has seen a number of concerts – big draws like the Rolling Stones and U2, hosted several big ticket community events, and hosted the 1999 Pan American Games.
Fans that had to endure the metal benches before the Stadium's renovation in 1999 may have a few less-than-fond memories as well; but in its 59 years, the venue has packed in a lot of great history.
The Rouge asks: What's your favourite memory of the house that Jack built, Canad Inns Stadium? As always, it's Your! Call.
