University stadium fine as is
We don’t want your funding to make it “better”
JAMES MCJOCK STAFF
PHOTO BY ALESSANDRO STEADMAN
We think that to renovate the football stadium at the University of Manitoba is to destroy a piece of history and with it the heart and soul of the University of Manitoba Athletics programs,” said John Jackson
Jackson, in an interview with the Manitoban, was livid when he discussed the plans of the Manitoba government to create a new stadium to replace the existing University Stadium which is located on the University grounds.
Jackson is a member of a top secret society that has been lobbying the owners of old buildings in Winnipeg, and many other cities across Canada to not renovate and preserve the culture that embodied Canada and made the country so great.
The Society for the Preservation of Canadian Culture, or SPOCC as they are more commonly known, have been in existence for about 15 years, but have only really began to make their voice heard lately.
Jackson and other members take a personal stand on the case of the Bison’s football stadium, saying that the structure has been through so much in the years since its construction, and that there are not enough buildings like it in Canada.
An undisclosed member of the Bisons football team agreed with the view set forth by SPOCC and although he would not give his name, he said that most of the foot ball team feels this way.
“The team has been here for so long and there is just something about training in the same place that great Bisons of the past have trained. I just don’t think that the city and the university can afford to let go of such great memories.”
Many have poked fun at the stadium, saying that the field is low quality, the seating is sub-par, and that there is a track around the field.
But SPOCC has a comeback for all these critics. The low quality turf makes for a game that is more interesting to watch, the grandstand seating makes for a game-day experience that is more retro and old-school, and the track around the field allows the players more room for touchdown celebrations.
SPOCC will be organizing a series of peaceful protests in support of not renovating the stadium during the coming weeks. They say that these protests will consist of them setting up camp at the stadium site and obstructing the crews that will be at work.
They also have entertainment set up for the protestors and Dennis Quaid will be making an appearance as the headlining act. This rally will be similar to many that have been held in urban centres all across Canada, and SPOCC expects a great turnout from the public and government officials.
Jackson vows that “this will not become the next cultural disaster. If there is anything that can be done to prevent the stadium from being torn down and rebuilt, SPOCC will try their damndest to make sure that it doesn’t happen.”
