Stadium another step closer to construction

By Jim Anderson
July 22, 1999

The University hopes to issue a call for tenders in early August for construction of a new 8,000-seat multi-use stadium at Western, says Orlando Zamprogna, Special Projects Coordinator in the Division of Physical Plant and Capital Planning Services.
"We want to call for tenders as soon as possible and get the preliminary site work on the project started," says Zamprogna. Preliminary site work will begin in September and construction will commence in the spring.

Plans to build the new stadium moved a step forward with London's Planning Committee granting approval for the site plan last week.

"We are an important step closer to creating an outstanding facility for the 2001 London Alliance Canada Summer Games, the University and the London community," says Greg Moran, Western's Provost and Acting President. "We are excited to be moving forward with our plans to have the stadium ready by August 2000."

The design for the stadium was officially unveiled in June. An open house was held June 24 for area residents to view the stadium design.

The stadium will host the 2001 Canada Summer Games and serve as a significant community resource for decades to come.

"This is a stadium that Western, the City of London and the region can be proud of," said Moran at the design unveiling. "It's in a beautiful setting with top facilities and services for athletes and community groups. It will be a showpiece for the Canada Games and beyond."

Located on the University's Huron Flats, the new stadium will have permanent seating for 8,000 spectators, with bleachers on both sides of the field. It will include an eight-lane all-weather track and a high-quality artificial turf. The turf will accommodate team sports such as football, soccer and field hockey. Field events such as pole vault, triple jump and broad jump will take place in front of the bleachers while javelin, shot put and discus will be held in an area just outside the track.

An ancillary building will house ticket booths, concessions, locker rooms, coach and referee rooms, washrooms and a lounge. The building and the bleachers will be wheelchair accessible.

"The proposed stadium design is one which satisfies all of the Canada Games requirements and provides a truly outstanding facility for use subsequent to the Games by the University and other London Alliance partners," said Phil Bowman, Co-Chair of the 2001 London Alliance Host Society. "It will be the largest capital legacy of the Games."

Construction of the $10-million facility will be funded by a $7.5-million fundraising campaign and a $2.5-million contribution from the 2001 Canada Games Host Society. A Stadium Access Committee, with University- and City-appointed representatives, will be established in 2000 to advise on the use of and access to the facility by community groups.

Deputy Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco, representing Mayor Dianne Haskett, said the stadium will be "a valuable community resource" which will be used by the London community about two-thirds of the time. She praised the partnership between the City of London, Western and the Alliance communities.

"The launching of this design for the new multi-use stadium is another important and tangible step towards the completion of the overall plan to make the sporting venues in this region state-of-the-art and the best they can possibly be. Further, the stadium will leave a lasting legacy for our community, well beyond the completion of the Canada Games."