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You are here: Home / Archives for Empire Stadium

Sunday is more than a football game.

June 18, 2010 By Brian Wawryshyn

There are moments in our lives that we just remember. It doesn’t matter how young we are, some things are just imprinted on our brains. My first professional sports event was a Vancouver Whitecaps game at Empire Stadium. Following that there were cold nights in the end zone, a stint as a ball boy and other memories that provide me with great Empire memories of my childhood.

When I think of Empire Stadium, I also think of my Dad. He was never much of a sports fan, but sure supported my brother and I in our sporting ambitions. Whether it was taking us to a game, or standing around outside with us after a game as we stood with our autograph books, Dad was patient and treated us when he could.

Introducing me to sports peaked my interest as a child, and fueled the love I have for sports today, and in particular my BC Lions and the CFL. My mom was a staunch Edmonton Eskimos supporter, so my childhood was a difficult one. My dad used to get a kick out of mom screaming watching the games, as I looked for any opportunity on those days to stick it to her. The chances were few with the dynasty the Eskimos had, but another great memory would come when I watched this new phenom named Mervyn Fernandez weave through a bunch of Eskimos at Empire Stadium from my grandmothers house in Dauphin, Manitoba. The Lions won that game, and oh did my Dad and I enjoy needling my Mom.

So Empire Stadium was pretty much the location of my introduction to sports. It’s fitting then that Sunday is also Fathers Day. It will be the first one without my Dad, who passed away suddenly in January. I would have liked to take him to this game, to return the favor. But when I take my seat and look around, I’m going to remember him vividly. I’m going to look around and see all the young fathers with their sons or daughters and smile.

My dad will be with me Sunday, and so will the ghosts and memories of Empire Stadium. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Thanks, Dad! I love you!

Dad

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Filed Under: Den Talk, Uncategorized Tagged With: Dad, Empire Stadium, Fathers Day, Memories

Lions Return To Empire in 2010

December 22, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

Conceptual Drawing of Empire Field
Conceptual Photo of Empire Fields: BCLions.com

The BC Lions announced plans for their temporary home on Tuesday, and to no ones surprise it will be located at the old Empire Stadium site at the PNE.

“Empire Fields” will consist of 20.100 seats, with an additional 7,400 bench style seats in the endzones for a seating capacity of 27,500.

The facility will be enclosed on all four sides and the sideline seating will be covered. A limited amount of private boxes as well as concessions, media facilities and washrooms will also be constructed. There was no indication if the fields itself will consist of grass or field turf on the clubs official release on BCLions.com.

Lions president George Chayka likes what he’s seen so far.  “After one look at the conceptual drawings I believe our fans will be very impressed with what we have in store next year.”

The builder of the project will be Nussli, a leading, international supplier of temporary structures for events, trade fairs and exhibitions. The time table for construction of the facility will be aproximately 10 weeks and will require a crew of 50-60 people to get the job done at a cost of $14 million dollars to be paid for by PavCo, the organization that operates BC Place stadium.

The original Empire Stadium
The original Empire Stadium

Many Lions fans have longed for a return to the outdoors, and this year they will get their wish. The old Empire Stadium was a multipurpose stadium that formerly stood at the Pacific National Exhibition site at Hastings Park in Vancouver. It was originally constructed for the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and sat 32,375 upon opening, but 30,229 after 1974. The Lions called it home from 1954-1982, and the venue played host to the first Grey Cup game held west of Ontario in 1955. Empire Stadium also hosted the Grey Cup game in 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1971, and 1974. It was the first stadium in Canada to go with a manufactured playing surface in 1970.

With the reduced seating capacity, Lions tickets will be a hot item in 2010. You can make sure you’re part of this historical year in BC Lions history by purchasing your season tickets today. Give the Lions a call at 604-589-ROAR and get ready for outdoor football in 2010!

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Empire Stadium information gathered at Wikipedia.

More conceptual drawings at BCLions.com

Filed Under: Featured, News Tagged With: BC Lions, Empire Fields, Empire Stadium, Temporary Stadium

Photo Gallery: Empire Field Community Practice

August 31, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

The BC Lions returned to the location it all began this past weekend, holding a community practice and autograph session at Empire Field, the former home to Empire Stadium which was the club’s original home. Empire was demolished after the construction of BC Place stadium.

Here are a few pictures from the event. It sure would be nice is someone could find a way to build a new stadium in this spot.

[nggallery id=20]

Filed Under: Photo Galleries Tagged With: Community Practice, Empire Stadium, Photos

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