Past CFL Stadiums - Thoughts and Memories

[Dan_Payne_fan!!]

the track around the field was annoying.

The crown on the field and the running track around it made for terrible sightlines.

Both of you have said that the running track was annoying. But of course, if it wasn't for the running track, the miracle mile would not have taken place and the immortal statue of Landy and Bannister would never be erected.

So having said that, for those who have been to the other stadiums with running tracks like Commonweath and Molson stadiums, are they annoying other than the clipped corner issue that I mentioned earlier?

i was there last year it wasnt annoying it was actually kinda cool cause it made me think, "oh crap im not at BC Place" it was a fun experience!

[Robbie]

At least temporarily until 2011, after tonight's game BC Place Stadium will be a thing of the past and it will exist only in your memory.

[Robbie]

Remember the water filled trenches under the overhang at Empire?
Swamp-like before the artificial turf apparently.
The Lions drsg room was at the entry level for Section Y. To get to the field they had to descend a steep wood staircase under the stands, I assume the visitoirs room was the same

Access to the visitors dressing room was only from inside the tunnel at the north west end of the stadium. I used to love the fact that the Lions and and Whitecaps players would have to walk right through the concourse to get to their lockerroom before and after games.

Some of you have shared some bad game day experiences in the old Empire Stadium. Since Empire will be reincarnated, hopefully we can provide the builders feedback on the bad experiences. At least compared to its previous life, Empire Fields can provide:

1. Cleaner restrooms.
2. Wide concourses.
3. Good and variety of concourses.
4. A good replay screen.

And to Bill Reichelt and Kato Kasuya who worked in the locker rooms at the old Empire, better locker rooms.

I know it may be a lot to ask for given a temporary stadium.

[nelson95]

Don't get me wrong I'm looking forward to it but when the move to BC Place was made everyone was happy.

Vancouver folk are fickle so we'll see how hardy we actually are when its raining

[Robbie]

And in all likelihood, there won't be an oval running track encircling the field.

[Robbie]

Great picture courtesy of bclions.com

[Hambone]

Does anybody know if there has been an stadium implosions in Canada?

Bout the only thing I can think of is this:

[youtube][/youtube]

Half of today's CFL stadiums are so old their predecessors had to be torn down because Nobel still hadn't perfected dynamite.

[Hambone]

So having said that, for those who have been to the other stadiums with running tracks like Commonweath and Molson stadiums, are they annoying other than the clipped corner issue that I mentioned earlier?

If there is something annoying about Commonwealth I think it can be found right in the lower right corner of that picture. Consider where the first row of seats are there to the right. Then consider that the first row in BC Place and most stadiums probably is located at about in the second running lane from the field. The entire track would be under the bleachers are Ivor Wynne. A peak at Molson Stadium shows their track is only 4 lanes wide. That may not make much difference in the upper decks but for the first several rows Commonwealth fans wouldn't offer the sort of closeness to the action and players that fans in other stadiums enjoy. Ballistic Bob would be at a loss at Commonwealth. He'd have to deliver his heckles by courier instead of in person.

[Blue In BC]

How about mascot murder ball. Teams trying to move a 6' high ball over the opponent goal lines. In some cases, mascots being run over by said ball.

Don't remember the year, but it was an hilarious event.

[nelson95]

one of my memories of empire was that murder ball, and lots of rain

[Robbie]

In light of the fact that Ivor Wynne Stadium will soon be a thing of the past - any thoughts and memories on that old stadium that has been around since 1928?

According to this old poll: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14142
Ivor Wynne Stadium was second-best for a game day experience after the biased thoughts on BC Place, and a few said that it had the best sight lines.

I never visited Ivor Wynne Stadium myself and from a Lions perspective, I don't have as many strong memories and emotions there compared to other visiting stadiums. In the last decade or so, the Lions usually went to that stadium and delivered a relatively easy win. That said, three memories in Ivor Wynne are:

#1.
In game 4 in the 1989 season, the Lions had a good chance of getting their first win of the season after going 0-3 and they jumped to an early huge lead. One great play was when a Lions receiver made a catch and quickly lateraled it to a teammate who scored a TD. Unfortunately the defence allowed Hamilton to get back into the game and the Lions eventually lost 44-38 and it costed Larry Donovan his head coaching job after that.

#2.
The 2009 EDSF in what would be Casey Printers' best performance in his second stint as a Lion in an exciting overtime division semi-final 34-27 win.

#3.
The 2010 regular season 23-21 finale win in order for the Lions take the 3rd and final playoff spot.

From a CFL perspective, I'd say the best memory would be the 1996 Snow Bowl. And strange in that after 1944, the stadium only hosted the Grey Cup twice in 1972 and 1996.

Courtesy of a CFL Photo Essay: Inside Ivor Wynne, great pictures of outside and behind-the-scenes pictures can be found:
http://cfl.ca/photo_gallery/gallery/8939

I'll comment on a few:


I've never seen this old logo before.


Inside the press box.



Where the Lions prepared for their typical win and celebrate afterwards.


Probably a solemn place in most seasons.



Views from the roof.


An old rotary phone.


Old beer taps.



Finally guys, you've been inside a men's room but you'd agree that this type of urinals and the way they are positions are indeed the most old fashioned. I guess they accommodate shorter men and boys, but cannot easily be cleaned and the flush only comes once in a long while and as result, they emit unpleasant odours.

[DanoT]

Ivor Wynn Stadium is where I became a CFL fan. I grew up in Burlington/Hamilton in the 50s and 60s so it was Civic Stadium when my dad started taking me to games at age 6 and my brother age 8.

I was at the famous 1961 two game total point playoff vs Argos. The second game started with a 18 point Argo lead and ended with no time left on the clock tied series. Argos punter Dave Mann punts it into but not through the then 25 yard deep end zone. Ticats had their punter and I think Garney Henley and QB and backup punter Bernie Faloney in the end zone. TiCats punted it back out of the end zone to the Argos punter Dave Mann who punted it back into the end zone. Bernie Faloney picked up the ball just inside the end zone and ran it back 112 yards for the tie breaking score.

But wait, there was a penalty flag thrown for an illegal block on Faloney's TD punt return because in those days there was no blocking on punts. However Faloney got out of the end zone before any blocks were thrown and so no single point scored. TiCats easily won in OT.

It was later reported than a fan had a heart attack in the stands and also a guy watching at home on TV.

Many other great memories including the 1972 Grey Cup, but the above was my favourite.

BTW the old stadium from the 1920s is long gone. The old part of the stands that is so close to the field of play was built in the 1960s and the newer side built in the 70s or 80s i think.

[Robbie]

But of course, if it wasn't for the running track, the miracle mile would not have taken place and the immortal statue of Landy and Bannister would never be erected.

RIP Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister (left): (23 March 1929 – 3 March 2018)