97 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

It’s a 4pm game, reportedly.

[spanky123]

The City of Langford says they've been chatting with the CFL about a game since 2022.

 

I don't think discussions with Victoria would have been secretive, over a long period of time. Victoria as the location seems like a very recent shift. Maybe Langford wasn't willing to subsidize the event, and Victoria is?

 

Victoria was in discussions with the CFL shortly after Langford entered the picture. It wasn't a last minute thing, lots of local groups were involved.

 

As I mentioned, one of the important factors was hotel availability. Even without fans, two teams and their staff, the media and television crews and CFL staff required a lot of accommodation just for themselves. 

Edited by spanky123, 03 December 2023 - 09:15 AM.

[Mike K.]

I’m not sure if I can accept that, on face value.

We knew Langford was in discussions with the CFL, but Victoria kept it a major secret for a year and a half? That just doesn’t pass the sniff test.

[Victoria Watcher]

Did City council approve this, with an in-camera vote?

[LJ]

 

 

As I mentioned, one of the important factors was hotel availability. Even without fans, two teams and their staff, the media and television crews and CFL staff required a lot of accommodation just for themselves. 

Are they going to kick all the bums out of the hotels to accommodate them?

[Victoria Watcher]

Fans will be a part of history Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. when the B.C. Lions play the Ottawa Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in the first Lions’ regular-season home game played outside Empire Stadium, Empire Field or B.C. Place in the 70-year history of the CFL club.

 

Tickets from $35 to $95 go on sale March 28 at 10 a.m. at BCLions.com. The club is reporting heavy interest based on season-ticket holder requests.

 

“The response from our season-ticket holders has been tremendous, and we now encourage all of our fans to act quickly on the public sale,” said Lions’ president Duane Vienneau, in a statement.

 

Vienneau said the Thursday and Friday, ahead of the game on Saturday, will feature a free public festival with music and food at Ship Point at the Inner Harbour celebrating the Island, the team and the CFL. Lions players and coaches will take part in community activities on Thursday and Friday, including open practices and football clinics for kids.

 

The Lions said the City of Victoria parks department has already begun preparing the field, which will be surrounded by as many as 14,000 temporary seats for the game. That will match the capacity for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup soccer games played at RAP.

 

 

https://www.timescol...ictoria-8468919

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 21 March 2024 - 02:28 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

https://am.ticketmas...age?id=MTg4MQ==

 

[Nparker]

I know what a lion is, but what exactly is a "redblack"?

[aastra]

CFL teams have always struggled with the names aspect.

[aastra]

 

...the first Lions’ regular-season home game played outside Empire Stadium, Empire Field or B.C. Place in the 70-year history of the CFL club.

The Lions said the City of Victoria parks department has already begun preparing the field, which will be surrounded by as many as 14,000 temporary seats for the game. That will match the capacity for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup soccer games played at RAP.

 

Now I'm wondering why they didn't try to take advantage of the Commonwealth Games stadium situation back in 1994 before it was dismantled. I mean, plenty of (no offense to the CFL) major league teams have played regular season games in alternate venues over the years.

[AllseeingEye]

I know what a lion is, but what exactly is a "redblack"?

 

Based on the uniform colors. Very original

[Victoria Watcher]

Least offensive! Hard to cancel.

Unlike the Edmonton team.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 21 March 2024 - 11:33 AM.

[Nparker]

Least offensive! Hard to cancel...

I find the name "Redblacks" terribly insensitive to the colour blind.

[Matt R.]

I think they missed an opportunity for both name recognition, branding and some fun uniforms options when they decided against the “RedGreens” but here we are…

[aastra]

Interesting. Red Green got started on "Smith and Smith", which rather eerily has the same name issue that the CFL used to have re: the Roughriders and the Rough riders. There are no coincidences.

[lanforod]

Least offensive! Hard to cancel.

Unlike the Edmonton team.

 

But but, who will think of the poor lions?

[aastra]

 

I think they missed an opportunity for both name recognition, branding and some fun uniforms options when they decided against the “RedGreens” but here we are…

 

Big missed opportunity, for sure. "This hand-off is brought to you by [insert sponsor here]. Because if women don't find you handsome then your running backs should at least find your hand-offs."

[LJ]

https://images.app.g...gdgpxH6HFVtynw7

 

 

https://encrypted-tb...UTxHJBoX9waKvho

Edited by LJ, 21 March 2024 - 07:47 PM.