August 15, 1953 was one of the happiest days of my young life. That is the day that The Winnipeg Football Stadium opened. (The night before it had been officially opened with a huge fundraising Gala for the benefit of the Shriner’s Winnipeg Hospital.) On game day, all of the dignitaries and politicians were there, and the Shriners and athletes marched around the field to the enjoyment of 12,000 spectators. Foster Hewitt was the Master of Ceremonies.

I was a sports fan from the days during the war, when the only radio that was available was at our fish camp at Alberts Point on Lake Winnipeg. At 7 o'clock on a Saturday night, we gathered in the cook shack and tuned into the CBC. The dulcet tones of Foster Hewitt would welcome to all listeners, “Hello hockey fans in Canada, the United States and Newfoundland.” Twenty tough fishermen (and assorted kids) sat in absolute silence and listened to the game. Occasionally you could hear coffee being sucked through a sugar cube. If the Toronto Maple Leafs scored, of course, cheering was briefly permitted.

In the late 40’s I became a football fan too. We were fortunate to have a “City Uncle” who would take us to the old Osborne Stadium and for $2.00, we could get a track seat to watch the game. Great-West Life now occupies the site where the old Stadium stood. At the time, Jack Jacobs was the Bombers quarterback and his throwing arm and competitive spirit ignited the local football fans. The idea for a new stadium had been tossed around for a while, but seemed to suddenly catch and quickly gained momentum like a prairie fire. The Polo Park site was approved and the Stadium was built the next year. The Winnipeg Stadium was known locally as “The house that Jack built” - a lasting tribute to a great athlete who was dazzling to watch on the field.

Roy Park was a Shriner and a friend of my fathers. He gave him a ticket to the first game ever played at the new Stadium. So, there I was, 17 years old. Eyes as big as plates looking at everything brand new. Sitting on the 50-yard line with new found friends, and watching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play (beat) the Ottawa Rough Riders.

Fast forward to November 3, 2012. Fortune smiled on me once again and 59 years later, my daughter and I sat in almost the same seats watching the Bombers play (beat) Montreal in the final game at the old Winnipeg Stadium. Full circle.

I have enjoyed going to Winnipeg Stadium over the years and watching the Bombers there. The team has been frustrating and exhilarating (sometimes in the same game), but always entertaining and winning in ‘our house’ more often than not. The team brought fresh talent every year and put on a good show, but the Stadium was definitely showing its age. I suppose I am too.

The Bombers’ new home at Investors Field will be ready for them next year. Maybe Lady Luck will roll the dice in my favour again, and I will be fortunate enough to have a seat in the new stadium on opening day in 2013.

Ken Kristjanson
November 2012