More than a dozen Manitobans are gearing up as members of the 2020 CFL Hub City Volunteer Committee

If the 2020 CFL season goes through in Winnipeg, many prominent Manitobans on a special committee will be involved in the planning.

Consisting of 10volunteers and three ex-officials, the group was pulled together to oversee a number of community-oriented details for the shorted 15-week season.

The group's taskings include:

  • assuring the Province's $2.5 million investment creates economic returns
  • share community oversight regarding and effective delivery of the 60-game CFL season
  • build community engagement 

"If the season does proceed, it would be my honour to serve on the CFL 2020 Hub City Committee as the former director of community relations with the Bombers and current community advocate," Hannah Pratt, a volunteer with the committee says.

The province is planning for 60 football games to take place in Winnipeg over the course of 15 weeks, including the 108th Grey Cup Championship.

The CFL games will be televised.

In order to participate in the season, many health and safety protocols will be put in place.

“Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living has worked closely with the CFL to ensure that the health and safety of Manitobans come first,” Dr. Brent Roussin, Chief Provincial Public Health Officer says. “We will continue to do so when the season starts, to ensure that the appropriate steps are being taken so everyone involved is safe as we learn to live with this virus.”

International CFL players participating in the season will be required to self-isolate for 14 days at home, and an additional seven days in Winnipeg in order to play. 

"Violations will result in strict penalties, which could include players being sent home for the remainder of the season," the province says in a statement. 

The general public will not be permitted into CFL-designated host hotels or at IG Field. Players, staff, league officials and the media are the only ones who will be permitted into the stadium. 

“We are excited for the return of CFL football to our city and the opportunity to support the shortened season and boost community pride,” Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox says. “The games will have a different look and feel without fans in the stands, but our priority is the health and safety of all Manitobans and all event participants, so we can continue to be one of Canada’s safest jurisdictions.”

Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler believes the historic sporting event will help boost the province's economy.

“A major event like being the CFL’s hub city will bring positive economic benefits to Winnipeg and help return more Manitobans to work in hard-hit areas like tourism and hospitality,” Eichler says.

The list of  2020 CFL Hub City Volunteer Committee members who will be organizing the events in mind include:

• David Asper, Q.C., acting dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba;

• Barb Gamey, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Payworks, Inc.;

• Obby Khan, founder and CEO of Shawarma Khan restaurants and former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive linesman;

• Dr. Peter MacDonald, orthopedic surgeon;

• James Murphy, community and youth liaison, Manitoba Construction Sector Council, and former Winnipeg Blue Bombers wide receiver;

• Jennefer Nepinak, associate vice president of Indigenous Engagement, University of Winnipeg;

• Hannah Pratt, founder and freelance consultant, Hannah Rose PR;

• Paul Robson, former general manager of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and former chair of the CFL; and

• George Sigurdson, founder and president of Sigurdson Financial Group Inc.

 Brock Bulbuck is chairing the committee. 

Also on the list is are the ex-officio members who, by nature of their jobs, will be involved in the committee: 

  • president and CEO of Travel Manitoba Colin Ferguson
  • CEO of the Manitoba Economic Development Office and Secretary to the Economic Growth Committee of Cabinet
  • president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg and chair of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers board of director Dayna Spiring

The $2.5 million investment into the CFL Hub City will see an estimated 800 participants visit the city, as well as generate $45 million in business sales, $4.5 million in direct tax and approximately $4 million in hotel stays.

The province believes the event will create 600 jobs if the tentative plans go through.

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