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Coordinates: 49°53′37.79″N 97°7′59.93″W / 49.8938306°N 97.1333139°W / 49.8938306; -97.1333139
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{{short description|Baseball stadium in Winnipeg, Canada}}
{{short description|Baseball stadium in Winnipeg, Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}

{{Infobox stadium
{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Blue Cross Park
| stadium_name = Blue Cross Park
| type = Stadium
| type = Stadium
| genre = Sporting events, Music
| genre = Sporting events, Music
| image = [[File:Shaw Park logo.PNG]]<br>[[File:Shaw Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba.JPG|250px]]
| image = Shaw Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba.JPG
| image_size = 250
| logo_image =
| nickname = ''The Fishbowl''
| nickname = ''The Fishbowl''
| location = One Portage Avenue East<br>[[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], [[Canada]]
| location = One Portage Avenue East<br>[[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], [[Canada]]
Line 15: Line 17:
| expanded = 2000, 2003
| expanded = 2000, 2003
| surface = Grass
| surface = Grass
| built = 1998-99
| built = 1998-99
| cost = $ 9 million
| cost = $ 9 million
| architect = MMP (architects)<br>Sink Combs Dethlefs (design)
| architect = MMP (architects)<br>Sink Combs Dethlefs (design)
| builder = The Dominion Company of Winnipeg
| builder = The Dominion Company of Winnipeg
| former_names = CanWest Global Park (1999–2008)<br> Canwest Park (2008–2011)<br> Shaw Park (2011-2023)
| former_names = CanWest Global Park (1999–2008)<br> Canwest Park (2008–2011)<br> Shaw Park (2011-2023)
| tenants = [[Winnipeg Goldeyes]] ([[American Association of Independent Professional Baseball|AA]]) (1999&ndash;2019, 2021&ndash;present) <br>[[Winnipeg Wesmen]] ([[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]) (2012&ndash;2017)<ref name="Wesmen">{{cite web|url=https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/wesmen-athletics-baseball-news-stories-2011-2012|title=Wesmen To Play The Goldeyes|publisher=University of Winnipeg|date=February 15, 2012}}</ref>
| tenants = [[Winnipeg Goldeyes]] ([[American Association of Professional Baseball|AA]]) 1999&ndash;2019, 2021&ndash;present <br>[[Winnipeg Wesmen]] ([[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]) 2012&ndash;2017<ref name="Wesmen">{{cite web|url=https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/wesmen-athletics-baseball-news-stories-2011-2012|title=Wesmen To Play The Goldeyes|publisher=University of Winnipeg|date=February 15, 2012}}</ref>
| seating_capacity = 7,461 (baseball)
| seating_capacity = 7,461 (baseball)
| record_attendance = 8,668 (Aug 29, 2005)
| record_attendance = 8,668 (August 29, 2005)
| suites = 30
| suites = 30
| dimensions = Left field: 325 ft (99 m)<br>Center field: 400 ft (122 m)<br>Right field: 325 ft (99 m)
| dimensions = Left field: 325 ft (99 m)<br>Center field: 400 ft (122 m)<br>Right field: 325 ft (99 m)
| publictransit = 10 St. Boniface-Wolseley<br>38 Salter<br>43 Munroe<br>50 Archibald<br>56 St. Boniface
| publictransit = 10 St. Boniface-Wolseley<br>38 Salter<br>43 Munroe<br>50 Archibald<br>56 St. Boniface
}}
}}


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==Features==
==Features==
[[File:Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club entrance.JPG|thumb|left|Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club entrance]]Shaw Park has a seating capacity of 7,481, as well as 30 luxury skysuites, a picnic area, and an open patio overlooking the field from the right field corner. An [[Culture of India#Cuisine|Indian cuisine]] restaurant is located on the third floor. A Goldeyes retail store and the baseball club's offices are also located within the ballpark.
[[File:Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club entrance.JPG|thumb|left|Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club entrance]]
Blue Cross Park has a seating capacity of 7,481, as well as 30 luxury skysuites, a picnic area, and an open patio overlooking the field from the right field corner. An [[Culture of India#Cuisine|Indian cuisine]] restaurant is located on the third floor. A Goldeyes retail store and the baseball club's offices are also located within the ballpark.


The [[Baseball park|playing field]] has a natural grass surface and a traditional dirt infield. The outfield dimensions are symmetrical, with distances of {{convert|325|ft}} from [[home plate]] to each [[foul pole]] and {{convert|400|ft}} to straightaway centerfield. The [[Canadian Museum for Human Rights]] and [[Esplanade Riel]] bridge are visible in the distance beyond the outfield fence. The [[Red River of the North|Red River]] flows northward beyond the left field fence, on the far side of Waterfront Drive. Trains can be frequently seen and heard passing the ballpark, as it is built inside a curve of the main [[Canadian National Railway|CN Rail]] line running through downtown Winnipeg.
The [[Baseball park|playing field]] has a natural grass surface and a traditional dirt infield. The outfield dimensions are symmetrical, with distances of {{convert|325|ft}} from [[home plate]] to each [[foul pole]] and {{convert|400|ft}} to straightaway centerfield. The [[Canadian Museum for Human Rights]] and [[Esplanade Riel]] bridge are visible in the distance beyond the outfield fence. The [[Red River of the North|Red River]] flows northward beyond the left field fence, on the far side of Waterfront Drive. Trains can be frequently seen and heard passing the ballpark, as it is built inside a curve of the main [[Canadian National Railway|CN Rail]] line running through downtown Winnipeg.


==History==
==History==
Blue Cross Park, originally named ''CanWest Global Park'', opened on May 24, 1999, replacing [[Winnipeg Stadium]] as the home of the Goldeyes and the city's premier baseball facility. It was built in three phases. The first phase saw the stands completed along the [[third base]] side to the left field wall and halfway along the [[first base]] side, giving the stadium a seating capacity of 6,140. The second phase, completed in 2000, saw the first base stands partially extended, increasing seating capacity to 6,300, and the addition of the skysuites and concession space. The right field stands, patio, and restaurant were completed as part of the final phase in 2003. As part of the final expansion, the City of Winnipeg was required to reroute [[Winnipeg Route 57|Pioneer and Water Avenues]].<ref name="a1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j6G45jb-fA8C&q=%22mind+computer%22+baseball+winnipeg&pg=RA1-PA55|title=Home Run: The History of the Winnipeg Goldeyes and CanWest Global Park|last1=Taylor|first1=Scott|last2=Row|first2=Kris|publisher=Studio Publications Inc|date=2005|location=Winnipeg, Canada|isbn=0-9736230-1-2}}</ref> A record attendance of 8,668 occurred on August 29 during the 2005 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goldeyes.com/team/history/|title=History|last=|first=|date=|website=goldeyes.com|language=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-11-27}}</ref>
Blue Cross Park, originally named CanWest Global Park, opened on May 24, 1999, replacing [[Winnipeg Stadium]] as the home of the Goldeyes and the city's premier baseball facility. It was built in three phases. The first phase saw the stands completed along the [[third base]] side to the left field wall and halfway along the [[first base]] side, giving the stadium a seating capacity of 6,140. The second phase, completed in 2000, saw the first base stands partially extended, increasing seating capacity to 6,300, and the addition of the skysuites and concession space. The right field stands, patio, and restaurant were completed as part of the final phase in 2003. As part of the final expansion, the City of Winnipeg was required to reroute [[Winnipeg Route 57|Pioneer and Water Avenues]].<ref name="a1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j6G45jb-fA8C&q=%22mind+computer%22+baseball+winnipeg&pg=RA1-PA55|title=Home Run: The History of the Winnipeg Goldeyes and CanWest Global Park|last1=Taylor|first1=Scott|last2=Row|first2=Kris|publisher=Studio Publications Inc|date=2005|location=Winnipeg, Canada|isbn=0-9736230-1-2}}</ref> A record attendance of 8,668 occurred on August 29 during the 2005 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goldeyes.com/team/history/|title=History|last=|first=|date=|website=goldeyes.com|language=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=November 27, 2019}}</ref>

⚫
Winnipeg-based [[Canwest|CanWest Global]] purchased the naming rights to the ballpark when it opened in 1999. CanWest Global Park later became Canwest Park after the media company's name change in 2008.<ref name="a1" /> [[Shaw Communications]] acquired the ballpark's naming rights when it acquired Canwest's broadcasting assets from bankruptcy court in 2010. The ballpark was renamed Shaw Park prior to the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/canwest-name-swept-aside-106674193.html|title=Canwest name swept aside|author=Martin Cash|date=November 4, 2010|access-date=November 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/canwest-fades-from-city-skyline-113260474.html| first=Geoff | last=Kirbyson | title=Canwest fades from city skyline | date=January 11, 2011}}</ref> The Shaw Park name was retained even though Shaw sold its media division to [[Corus Entertainment]] in 2016.


Following the [[Rogers Communications]] acquisition of Shaw Communications, the Winnipeg Goldeyes announced a new 10-year naming rights partnership with [[Manitoba Blue Cross]] on November 8, 2023, with the ballpark being renamed Blue Cross Park.<ref>{{cite news |title=New for 2024: Blue Cross Park |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/11/08/new-for-2024-blue-cross-park/ |access-date=November 8, 2023 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |date=November 8, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
Winnipeg-based [[Canwest|CanWest Global]] purchased the naming rights to the ballpark when it opened in 1999. ''CanWest Global Park'' later became ''Canwest Park'' after the media company's name change in 2008.<ref name="a1"></ref> [[Shaw Communications]] acquired the ballpark's naming rights when it acquired Canwest's broadcasting assets from bankruptcy court in 2010. The ballpark was renamed ''Shaw Park'' prior to the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/canwest-name-swept-aside-106674193.html|title=Canwest name swept aside|author=Martin Cash|date=2010-11-04|accessdate=2010-11-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/canwest-fades-from-city-skyline-113260474.html| first=Geoff | last=Kirbyson | title=Canwest fades from city skyline | date=January 11, 2011}}</ref> Following [[Rogers Communications]] takeover of Shaw, the Goldeyes announced a new naming rights partnership with [[Manitoba Blue Cross]] on November 8, 2023, with the ballpark being renamed ''Blue Cross Park''.
[[File:Shaw Park during a game.jpg|center|thumb|329x329px|A baseball game between the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Gary SouthShore RailCats held at the venue in 2023]]


==Major events==
==Major events==
The ballpark served as the main baseball venue for the [[1999 Pan American Games]] in Winnipeg. The host Canadian squad captured the bronze medal, which was their best finish ever, up to that point. [[Cuba]] won the gold medal, defeating the [[United States]] in the championship game. A number of future and former [[Major League Baseball|Major League]] players participated, including [[Mark Mulder]], [[Brad Penny]], [[José Contreras]], [[Craig Paquette]], and [[Adam Kennedy]]. The [[Baseball at the 1999 Pan American Games|baseball tournament]] was a qualifier for the [[2000 Summer Olympics]]. {{cn|date=October 2022}}
The ballpark served as the main baseball venue for the [[1999 Pan American Games]] in Winnipeg. The host Canadian squad captured the bronze medal, which was their best finish ever, up to that point. [[Cuba]] won the gold medal, defeating the [[United States]] in the championship game. A number of future and former [[Major League Baseball|Major League]] players participated, including [[Mark Mulder]], [[Brad Penny]], [[José Contreras]], [[Craig Paquette]], and [[Adam Kennedy]]. The [[Baseball at the 1999 Pan American Games|baseball tournament]] was a qualifier for the [[2000 Summer Olympics]]. {{cn|date=October 2022}}


Outside of baseball, Shaw Park is occasionally used as an outdoor concert venue, having hosted top Canadian musical acts such as [[The Guess Who]] and [[The Tragically Hip]].<ref name="a1"></ref>
Outside of baseball, Blue Cross Park is occasionally used as an outdoor concert venue, having hosted top Canadian musical acts such as [[The Guess Who]] and [[The Tragically Hip]].<ref name="a1"></ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 03:50, 17 October 2024

Blue Cross Park
The Fishbowl
Map
Former namesCanWest Global Park (1999–2008)
Canwest Park (2008–2011)
Shaw Park (2011-2023)
LocationOne Portage Avenue East
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Coordinates49°53′37.79″N 97°7′59.93″W / 49.8938306°N 97.1333139°W / 49.8938306; -97.1333139
Public transit10 St. Boniface-Wolseley
38 Salter
43 Munroe
50 Archibald
56 St. Boniface
OwnerRiverside Park Management
OperatorWinnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club Inc.
TypeStadium
Genre(s)Sporting events, Music
Executive suites30
Capacity7,461 (baseball)
Record attendance8,668 (August 29, 2005)
Field sizeLeft field: 325 ft (99 m)
Center field: 400 ft (122 m)
Right field: 325 ft (99 m)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundMay 1, 1998
Built1998-99
OpenedMay 24, 1999 (1999-05-24)
Expanded2000, 2003
Construction cost$ 9 million
ArchitectMMP (architects)
Sink Combs Dethlefs (design)
BuilderThe Dominion Company of Winnipeg
Tenants
Winnipeg Goldeyes (AA) 1999–2019, 2021–present
Winnipeg Wesmen (NAIA) 2012–2017[1]

Blue Cross Park (formerly Shaw Park) is a baseball stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is located adjacent to The Forks, near the city's downtown, and is home to the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association.

Features

[edit]
Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club entrance

Blue Cross Park has a seating capacity of 7,481, as well as 30 luxury skysuites, a picnic area, and an open patio overlooking the field from the right field corner. An Indian cuisine restaurant is located on the third floor. A Goldeyes retail store and the baseball club's offices are also located within the ballpark.

The playing field has a natural grass surface and a traditional dirt infield. The outfield dimensions are symmetrical, with distances of 325 feet (99 m) from home plate to each foul pole and 400 feet (120 m) to straightaway centerfield. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Esplanade Riel bridge are visible in the distance beyond the outfield fence. The Red River flows northward beyond the left field fence, on the far side of Waterfront Drive. Trains can be frequently seen and heard passing the ballpark, as it is built inside a curve of the main CN Rail line running through downtown Winnipeg.

History

[edit]

Blue Cross Park, originally named CanWest Global Park, opened on May 24, 1999, replacing Winnipeg Stadium as the home of the Goldeyes and the city's premier baseball facility. It was built in three phases. The first phase saw the stands completed along the third base side to the left field wall and halfway along the first base side, giving the stadium a seating capacity of 6,140. The second phase, completed in 2000, saw the first base stands partially extended, increasing seating capacity to 6,300, and the addition of the skysuites and concession space. The right field stands, patio, and restaurant were completed as part of the final phase in 2003. As part of the final expansion, the City of Winnipeg was required to reroute Pioneer and Water Avenues.[2] A record attendance of 8,668 occurred on August 29 during the 2005 season.[3]

Winnipeg-based CanWest Global purchased the naming rights to the ballpark when it opened in 1999. CanWest Global Park later became Canwest Park after the media company's name change in 2008.[2] Shaw Communications acquired the ballpark's naming rights when it acquired Canwest's broadcasting assets from bankruptcy court in 2010. The ballpark was renamed Shaw Park prior to the 2011 season.[4][5] The Shaw Park name was retained even though Shaw sold its media division to Corus Entertainment in 2016.

Following the Rogers Communications acquisition of Shaw Communications, the Winnipeg Goldeyes announced a new 10-year naming rights partnership with Manitoba Blue Cross on November 8, 2023, with the ballpark being renamed Blue Cross Park.[6]

A baseball game between the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Gary SouthShore RailCats held at the venue in 2023

Major events

[edit]

The ballpark served as the main baseball venue for the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. The host Canadian squad captured the bronze medal, which was their best finish ever, up to that point. Cuba won the gold medal, defeating the United States in the championship game. A number of future and former Major League players participated, including Mark Mulder, Brad Penny, José Contreras, Craig Paquette, and Adam Kennedy. The baseball tournament was a qualifier for the 2000 Summer Olympics. [citation needed]

Outside of baseball, Blue Cross Park is occasionally used as an outdoor concert venue, having hosted top Canadian musical acts such as The Guess Who and The Tragically Hip.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wesmen To Play The Goldeyes". University of Winnipeg. February 15, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Taylor, Scott; Row, Kris (2005). Home Run: The History of the Winnipeg Goldeyes and CanWest Global Park. Winnipeg, Canada: Studio Publications Inc. ISBN 0-9736230-1-2.
  3. ^ "History". goldeyes.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  4. ^ Martin Cash (November 4, 2010). "Canwest name swept aside". Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  5. ^ Kirbyson, Geoff (January 11, 2011). "Canwest fades from city skyline".
  6. ^ "New for 2024: Blue Cross Park". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
[edit]
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Winnipeg Goldeyes
1999 – current 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by Host of the NoL All-Star Game
CanWest Global Park
2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of the NoL All-Star Game
Canwest Park
2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of the AAB All-Star Game
Shaw Park
2014 		Succeeded by
future
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