Stalled stadium costing bombers money
Courtesy Winnipeg Free Press:
Winnipeg Blue Bomber president Lyle Bauer and would-be owner David Asper knew there would be days like this — sunny, spring days when the snow is melting and shovels could be in the ground working on a new facility for the football club.
Instead, the haggling over securing public funds in the great stadium debate continues to drag along slowly with no outward signs of a resolution. All this comes as the organization will release on Thursday its 2007 financial statement. Bauer hinted last month the ‘07 bottom line would be a “tough one,” despite the five consecutive sellouts to open the season and a run to the Grey Cup as legal and consulting fees associated with putting out a request for stadium proposals. Plus, entering into the deal with Asper cost thousands of dollars. Additionally, the bill for advancing to the championship — but losing to the Saskatchewan Roughriders — will reach around $300,000 to cover extra expenses like flights and hotel rooms for staff and players’ wives and families.
Add that to the stadium delay and increased construction costs that have jumped an estimated $20 million over the original $145-million price tag and it’s led to some serious teeth-grinding in Bomberland.
“There’s no question (the stadium delay) is costing us money,” said Bauer on Tuesday. “It costs David money. It costs us money from an operational point of view because we have to put money into a facility that may be coming down in a couple of years. Every day that goes by construction costs go up.
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