143 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

HarbourCats get the boot for the playoffs, told to leave RAP for renovations

 

“We do believe under the terms of our user group agreement that this is not allowable,” HarbourCats managing partner Jim Swanson said.

 

https://www.capitald...e-season-starts

[Victoria Watcher]

The Jonas Brothers are coming to Canada. 

 

The American musical trio - including Nick, Joe, and Kevin - will perform the halftime show at the 111th Grey Cup at BC Place in Vancouver on Sunday, November 17, the CFL announced on Monday.

 

https://www.tsn.ca/c...-show-1.2129535

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 03 June 2024 - 06:41 AM.

[lanforod]

Time to get tickets?

Edited by lanforod, 03 June 2024 - 07:36 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Grey Cup tickets still unsold:

 

[Victoria Watcher]

There’s less than a month to go until the 2024 Touchdown Pacific, which will kick off with a multi-day party to envelop Victoria’s Ship Point Inner Harbour before the big game at Royal Athletic Park, where the B.C. Lions will face the Ottawa Redblacks.

 

The Vancouver-based Lions are heading to B.C.’s capital for the game against the Redblacks on Aug. 31.

 

Leading up to game day, from noon to 7 p.m. on Aug. 29 and 30, a festival at the Inner Harbour will include entertainment, food and beverages, plus meet-and-greet sessions with players from the two teams.

 

On Friday, the Grey Cup will make an appearance at the festival, which is free to attend, according to the event organizers in a release Tuesday.

They’re calling it a “three-day football extravaganza in the Capital” that comes amid much anticipation for Touchdown Pacific, with Lions’ president Duane Vienneau saying the excitement continues to build as the event draws closer.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...acific-1216741/

 

 

The Lions say the demand for tickets was “overwhelming,” prompting them to put on a Backyard Watch Party at Central Park on Quadra Street, a short distance from Royal Athletic Park.

 

“Fans will be able to watch the game on the big screen while enjoying food and beverage options, appearances from our Uproar Dance Team and more!” the team says.

 

They say tickets for the Backyard Watch Party can be secured here.

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 July 2024 - 01:20 PM.

[Nparker]

...a multi-day party to envelop Victoria’s Ship Point Inner Harbour before the big game at Royal Athletic Park...The Lions say the demand for tickets was “overwhelming,” prompting them to put on a Backyard Watch Party at Central Park...

The Lions should host a party along the 900 block of Pandora for some authentic Victoria atmosphere!

[Victoria Watcher]

The CFL’s first Touchdown Pacific game in Victoria in August will expand Royal ­Athletic Park onto parts of ­Pembroke Street so that it can feature a historic capacity crowd of 14,000.

 

B.C. Lions president Duane ­Vienneau told reporters Tuesday the park will be completely transformed on game day into a “field of dreams.”

 

“You’ll look at something that you’ve seen forever and ever and ever, and you’ll look and go — where did Royal Park go?”

 

The city-owned facility has permanent seating of 3,800 in the main grandstand and midfield areas for soccer and 2,867 in the corner section for ­HarbourCats baseball.

 

It had previously expanded to 10,500 seating capacity for FIFA U-20 World Cup soccer games in 2007, but temporary seating areas, including a 37-foot tall grandstand will push the venue beyond its limits for a capacity of 14,000 on Aug. 31.

 

_____________________________

 

 

For the grandstand to fit along the northern side of Royal Athletic, one lane of Pembroke Street will be taken over for a concourse area, he said.

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...fl-game-9291681

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 July 2024 - 03:24 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The HarbourCats securing a spot in the playoffs comes with a bit of a sour note, as the team is unable to play home games in Royal Athletic Park.

 

After Touchdown Pacific was announced to be hosted in Royal Athletic Park at the end of August, news later surfaced that the team would need use of the stadium after the end of the regular season on Aug. 7.

 

However, playoffs for the HarbourCats run until Aug. 16, meaning the team won’t have use of their home stadium for the games.

 

John Wilson, co-owner of the HarbourCats, says the team believes that this is a breach of the contract with the team, because the team has use of Royal Athletic Park until Aug. 20.

 

“I don’t think anybody did anything on purpose here, we believe that we have the rights to the park till the 20th which sees us through our playoffs,” Wilson said. “We’ve been in the playoffs six of the last seven years, including this year, and unfortunately, it doesn’t allow us to play here at this beautiful ballpark for our playoff games this year.”

 

However, Marianne Alto, mayor of Victoria, disagrees.

 

“Our contract allows for special events to take place,” Alto said. “We have been actually talking since last fall with the HarbourCats about the BC Lions game, and we’ve been prepared all through that time, as we’ve been having conversations ongoing to figure out a way to make the best of this.”

 

The HarbourCats will be busing the team and fans up to Nanaimo, which will host the playoff games, and Wilson says he is in talks with the city to pay for a portion of that expense.

 

“We’re trying to take the high road on this. I mean, the City has always been a good partner to us, and we love this ballpark, and we want to stay here and be part of the community, and I think our fans do too,” Wilson said. “So we’ll find a way to make this work and chalk it up some bad luck and come back next year strong with a full season and a full playoffs.”

 

 

https://www.cheknews...-plans-1217760/

[Victoria Watcher]

Canadian Nathan Rourke signed a lucrative contract with the B.C. Lions and took the CFL quarterback market to a new level in the process.

 

Rourke inked a three-year deal which includes $749,200 in hard money in 2025 and $809,000 in hard money in 2026, per sources. There are $6,000 in award incentives available in both seasons, taking his earning potential to $755,200 and $815,000 respectively each year.

 

Rourke’s compensation in those seasons includes $200,000 in marketing money, which does not count against the league’s salary cap. As such, his cap number for 2025 checks in at $549,200 and $609,000 for 2026.

 

The 26-year-old dressed for three games with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season and three with the New England Patriots, earning $519,668 USD. He had an offseason stint with the New York Giants, who released him one week into training camp, as well as the Atlanta Falcons, who let him go after one preseason quarter with next to no practice reps.

 

In 2022, the Victoria, B.C. native completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 3,349 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during parts of 10 starts with the B.C. Lions. He rushed 39 times for 304 yards and seven touchdowns. That November Rourke won the three-down league’s Most Outstanding Canadian award despite missing half the season with a Lisfranc injury.

 

https://3downnation....wing-nfl-stint/

 

 

 

https://www.cheknews...es-true-666351/

 

 

He actually moved to Ontario when he was only two years old.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2024 - 12:27 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

This event is expected to draw a large
number of attendees and will impact the surrounding neighbourhood. Please plan accordingly.
Road Closures and Traffic Impacts

To ensure the safety of people moving through the area, there will be road closures in the vicinity of
Royal Athletic Park and Central Park.

• Pembroke Street from Quadra to Vancouver (local traffic only) on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 a.m.
to Sunday, Sept. 1 at 9 a.m.
• Pembroke Street from Vancouver to Cook (closed eastbound only) on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6
p.m. to Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6 a.m.
• Caledonia Avenue from Cook to Quadra (closed westbound only) periodically from 2-8:30
p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31
• Green Street from Quadra to Vancouver (local traffic only) on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 a.m. to
Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6 a.m.
• Vancouver Street from Caledonia to Pembroke (closed to vehicles and bikes) on Friday, Aug.
30 from 6 a.m. to Sunday, Sept. 1 at 9 a.m.
• Vancouver Street from Pembroke to Queens (local traffic only) on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 11
a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Princess Avenue from Cook to Vancouver (local traffic only) on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 11
a.m. to 10 p.m.

People and Noise

As this is a major sporting event, you can anticipate a significant number of people in the area on
game day. In addition to the game, there will be fan events and activities in Central Park that may
lead to elevated noise levels. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.
Parking Impacts
Temporary parking restrictions will be in place on streets surrounding Royal Athletic Park. Please
pay attention to signage and avoid parking in restricted areas to prevent fines or towing. Please use
alternative parking options or public transportation where possible.
• Pembroke Street: Eastbound curbside parking removed periodically from Aug. 12 to Sept.
12

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 August 2024 - 12:51 PM.

[Nparker]

I wonder if the residents of Tiny Town are being put up in the Empress so the event doesn't disturb them?

[Victoria Watcher]

Where are your seats located Nparker?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 August 2024 - 01:18 PM.

[Nparker]

I'm out of town until mid-day Saturday, but I am lending my parking space to friends who are attending the game.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a first-of-its-kind event in B.C., Touchdown Pacific pits the BC Lions against the Ottawa Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park on Aug. 31.

 

Behind the scenes, a monumental effort is underway to transform Royal Athletic Park into a CFL-standard stadium for one weekend, replacing the facility's summer function as a baseball venue.

 

One of the most significant challenges has been converting the park’s baseball diamond into a regulation football field. The park’s clay infield, suitable for baseball but not for football, required a complete overhaul. To make the surface playable for professional football, new sod has been laid over the clay.

 

Additional preparations involve more than the field of play.

 

Typically hosting around 3,500 spectators for baseball, Royal Athletic Park’s capacity is being expanded to hold up to 14,000 fans for Touchdown Pacific. A temporary grandstand will provide additional seating for 6,400 people, effectively more than doubling the park's usual capacity. In addition to the seating, the venue will feature a range of temporary facilities, including press boxes, camera towers and a massive LED scoreboard – the second-largest in British Columbia.

 

Jordan Dowler, Manager of Game Presentation & Events for the BC Lions, describes the scale of the event is similar to a “mini Grey Cup.” TSN, the event’s broadcaster, will deploy 18 cameras to cover every aspect of the game, making it the largest football broadcast they handle outside of the Grey Cup. This extensive setup includes production trucks and cabling to ensure a smooth viewing experience for fans at home.

 

 

https://www.abbynews...history-7501598

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 August 2024 - 02:11 AM.

[Nparker]

What's a "redblack"?

[Victoria Watcher]

What's a "redblack"?

 

 

 

 

 

At an event we had at the Grey Cup, at Real Sports in Toronto, a guy said: 'What about Red and Blacks?' I said Red and Blacks is a bit wordy, how about just RedBlacks? It was one of those casual conversations that was relatively unremarkable.

 

I went from that right to dinner with some of my partners. I happened to be sitting right across from Bill Shenkman. I said, 'Hey, what do you think of the name RedBlacks?' We call him Blunt Bill because he's not afraid to speak his mind. He immediately said he liked it. He kind of took more ownership in that name than I did.

 

_____________

 

We started to narrow in on RedBlacks. Red stands for desire, black stands for power. One of the things I did not know, in the mid- to late-1870s, when the Rough Riders started, one of the thoughts is they were named after the Roosevelt Rough Riders. They took the red and black colours from this regiment. I believe those colours influenced the colours of every Ottawa sports team since. I thought, what a tribute to Ottawa sports history -- even if you think about the guards on the Hill with their red and black colouring. It's just so synonymous with Ottawa history.

 

 

 

 

https://ottawasun.co...or-the-cfl-team

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 August 2024 - 05:57 AM.

[Barrister]

Is sold out yet?

[Victoria Watcher]

Is sold out yet?

 

Yes, it sold out quite qucikly.

 

A few hundred re-sales available though if you want to go:

 

https://www.ticketma...100607BF5BA4BD2

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 August 2024 - 06:15 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

As Royal Athletic Park in Victoria readies for its big debut as a CFL venue, BC Ferries is pushing back a sailing to ensure folks get off the Island.

Touchdown Pacific will see the BC Lions play host to the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday (Aug. 31) at the Victoria stadium – expanded to welcome 14,000 fans.

In anticipation of those travelling from the mainland, BC Ferries is pushing back its final ferry of the night out of Swartz Bay in North Saanich from a 9 p.m. departure to 10 p.m.


https://www.vicnews....l-debut-7503398

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 August 2024 - 10:59 AM.

[LJ]

What's a "redblack"?

Well it is Ottawa, they just misspelled it a bit....

 

https://en.wikipedia.../Redback_spider