Molson Stadium is fan-tastic experience
Mosaic, Ivor Wynne, Rogers Centre also kick it with great game-day memories
BY MIKE BEAMISH, VANCOUVER SUN SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 11:51 AM
With the Empire Field, stadiumin-a-can experience behind us, we look forward to the 21st-century creature comforts of refurbished BC Place Stadium in two weeks' time. And, at a Tiffany's-style price tag of $585 million, there'd better be lots of them.
Will it become our favourite place to catch a CFL game? Difficult to say, until we've seen it.
For now, we submit our rankings of the best gameday experiences for fans and media in the CFL, knowing that BC Place/ Telus Field could change the dynamic dramatically:
1. PERCIVAL MOLSON STADIUM (MONTREAL)
The climb to the stadium on the McGill University campus, along the steep, leafy sidewalks of downtown Montreal, below Mont Royal, is a sybaritic experience. Love the backdrop of the Montreal skyline and the familiar voice of bilingual house announcer Jacques Moreau, whose joie de vivre following an Alouettes' first down is infectious. It may be the CFL's smallest cathedral (just over 25,000 seats), but Montreal football fanatics regard Molson Stadium with some of the same endearment Cubs fans hold for Wrigley Field.
2. MOSAIC STADIUM (REGINA TAYLOR FIELD)
Does anyone have more fun than Roughrider fans? Hard to find anyone here without a melon for a headpiece, green war paint or a giant foam finger.
In fact, I believe you're barred entry if you're not wearing a shade of clothing that can't be traced to a leprechaun. The pre-game gathering spot - featuring beer, barbecue and country music - is one giant tailgate party without the cars. Verbal abuse is heaped on opponents, but many visiting players seem to love it. It's a reminder of the cacophonous U.S. college football atmosphere they left behind.
3. IVOR WYNNE STADIUM (HAMILTON)
Ivor Wynne is a throwback to football's prehistoric past, when the game was played by working-class heroes in the shadows of steel mills, smokestacks and mine tailings.
The 81-year-old structure is unvarnished, un-chic and gritty, like The Hammer itself. About to face the wrecking ball, its old bones will go the way of leather helmets. Still, the new Ivor Wynne will retain the same footprint and the unabashedly industrial feel, artfully fusing Ticat glories past with the future, as the familiar stacks and fires of Steeltown illuminate the night sky.
4. ROGERS CENTRE (TORONTO)
The home of the Blue Jays, the Argos and monster-truck pulls gets a bad rap. Architect Rob Robbie's giant parking garage leaves many sports fans cold, but never when it comes to body temperature.
While the stadium's footprint makes the place anything but intimate, and far from ideal as a football playground, the Argos go the extra mile to make it a worthwhile fan experience. If only the football team was up to the quality of the game presentation and their kickin' band, the Argo-Notes. In terms of a working press environment, it's first-rate, especially with the best press box announcer in the land, Brian Snelgrove, on hand.
5. COMMONWEALTH STADIUM
(Edmonton) Perhaps no Canadian city has got more bang for its stadium bucks than Edmonton. The ravages of time and weather are lethal to a 60,000-seat amphitheatre in northern Alberta.
Still, Commonwealth has held up surprisingly well, since its opening in 1978. It also scores points for being near lightrail transit. Nonetheless, as much as we admire Albertans for their thrift when it comes to large construction projects, there was no attempt to make any kind of statement with Commonwealth.
Charmless, but it does the job.
6. MCMAHON STADIUM, CALGARY
By the sheer numbers, and the fact they're usually searing Alberta beef, Stampeder fans provide the best tailgate experience in the CFL.
But the 50-year-old stadium itself, though well-kept and maintained, is being left in the dust by newer structures. The elevator to the press box and suites must be the oldest lift in the West. The hours, totalling weeks over the course of a reporter's career, riding it to the top represent precious time that can never be recovered.
The saving grace is watching a cowgirl ride a horse after every Stampeder touchdown.
7. BC PLACE, VANCOUVER
(Before reconstruction) Boiling in summer, freezing in the fall, the dome kept the good weather out and the bad weather in. Hermetically sealed, it was spiritually and esthetically cold, doing its best to disguise the fact it was situated in one of the world's most beautiful cities.
At least Empire Field reminded us that its setting was the best there ever was for a gladiatorial extravaganza. With a new lightness and airiness, however, BC Place gives promise of improving on what was right about Empire, while eliminating the nagging little details that were wrong.
8. CANAD INNS STADIUM (WINNIPEG)
Old can be quaint. But in this case, cuteness borders on desolation. Never warmed to the place after being locked in after a game. Nearly turned into a Popsicle another time, waiting for a cab . But relief is only months away.
A new 33,500-seat stadium, with a corrugated metal roof, restaurant, 52 suites, walk of fame, parking garage and other amenities is in an accelerated construction stage on the University of Manitoba campus. Bombers could go from worst-to-first, not only in the standings, but also in stadium appeal and iconic architecture.
I haven't been to #2, #3 & #7 yet....but #1 for me is McGill.....Yeah, I'm a HOMER !
But we do have a beautiful stadium on a mountain close to downtown with an amazing view. You're also close to the action no matter where you sit. There's also a great atmosphere at the stadium but i think we can improve on two fronts: First, we need to show our colors. We need more people wearing team jerseys in the stands. At the very least wear red, white or blue! Second, we need a chant. I think they're trying to get that going in the stands by playing that "Allez, Allez, Allez. ...Allez Montreal!" but nobody sings along. I think we should make an effort to get that going until something better comes up. We even lost the Ben Cahooooon 
Maybe the front office can get that going by promoting a "Wear Your Colors Day" and see if it gets the ball rolling. 
Well, what SHE said....but you know what I meant.
