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CFL B.C. Lions

B.C. Place and Lions announce new turf for stadium

March 23, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


(Vancouver BC), March 23, 2005 – B.C. Place has purchased FieldTurf from Montreal's Olympic Stadium and after years of anticipation the old playing surface at B.C. Place Stadium is getting turfed, General Manager of B.C. Place Stadium Howard Crosley and Minister of Small Business and Economic Development John Les announced today.

"Replacing the turf in B.C. Place Stadium will make this first class facility even better," said Minister Les. "The stadium plays a big part in the economy of Vancouver and having a high quality playing surface such as this one will mean more events can be hosted at this great facility."

The full playing field, which cost $1 Million has already received FIFA approval at several other venues and is made up of 1000 pieces of turf, assembled like a jigsaw puzzle and stored on a moveable tray system. The turf will be in place well before the BC Lions first preseason game mid-June.

"This is a great announcement for the Lions football club and the CFL, for amateur sport groups that regularly use our facility, and for the City of Vancouver," says Crosley. "It puts the Stadium one notch higher as a world class facility that is occupied over 200 event days per year."

"We've been building one of Canada's best football clubs in Canada's best stadium," says BC Lions General Manager and Head Coach, Wally Buono. "This is positive news as our Club gains momentum and prepares to host the 2005 Grey Cup."

Hosting over 200 event days per year, B.C. Place Stadium is British Columbia's premier gathering place and event facility, located in one of the most beautiful, pristine and active cities in the world - Vancouver. The future host to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, B.C. Place has a rich history of bringing the Province's events and fans together for the events that only a world class venue can offer. B.C. Place Stadium is a division of PavCo (B.C. Pavilion Corporation), a Crown Corporation of the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development, Hon. John Les, Minister.

For over 50 years the BC Lions have been a sporting power and tradition in British Columbia. In 2004, the team clinched the Western Division Championship with over 55,000 fans at BC Place. In 2005, Vancouver will host the 93rd Grey Cup on Sunday, November 27. This remarkable game will be the largest sporting event in Canada. The 2005 Grey Cup Festival, Party on the Pacific, will be distinctly Canadian and lots of West Coast feel. For more information log onto www.2005greycup.com. To reserve your name on a list for tickets, call 604-589-7627.

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Canadian Football League Stories from March 23, 2005


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