By David Klassen
A group of Fort Richmond residents who oppose the new Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium at the U of M are holding a town hall meeting on Monday evening.
The Fort Richmond Coalition has been vocal in recent months about the project’s cost overruns and the potential noise the stadium could create, especially when concerts are in town. The coalition also feels the canopy to help reduce noise levels is in jeopardy due to recent design changes.
“Of course we’re disappointed,” said Jeff Fidyk, one of the residents organizing the meeting. “We definitely feel that David Asper and our elected representatives are not taking this community into consideration as they try to jam this stadium down our throats.”
The purpose of the meeting is also to further organize area residents against the stadium.
The Coalition invited Mayor Sam Katz, councillor Justin Swandel and a representative from Creswin Properties to attend the meeting. The University of Manitoba originally accepted an invitation to attend, but later declined once learning the other three turned down the invite.
City councillor Dan Vandal may reconsider his position on the stadium and could vote against it if the proposed changes by Creswin show a subpar facility.
St. Norbert MLA Marilyn Brick, Terry Duguid, Liberal MP candidate for Winnipeg South, and Louise May, city council candidate for the St. Norbert ward, will attend to speak to residents and listen to their concerns.
The meeting is slated for tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the Richmond Kings Community Centre, 666 Silverstone Avenue.
Image credit: BlueandGold.ca
