Countdown Is on for Kickoff of Touchdown Atlantic
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23 août – Times& Transcript Countdown is on for kickoff of Touchdown Atlantic Celine Seguin is the Canadian Football League's manager of special events. She has been in Moncton since Monday, organizing a team of technicians as they convert Moncton's Stade Croix Blue Medavie stadium into a football venue ahead of Sunday's clash between the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes, which has been dubbed Touchdown Atlantic. It will be the first CFL regular season game iin Atlantic Canada since 2013. "It's a lot like setting the stage for a big concert," Seguin said. "Our main job is to make sure everything is in place like a stage before the band comes to set up." The first order of business was lengthening artificial turf of the stadium's field, since a soccer field isn't as long as a regulation football field. The City of Moncton agreed in July to pay $55,000 for the addition of an extra 20 yards of turf at either end zone, but the agreement stipulates that some or all of that will be covered by the promoter, depending on ticket sales. Seguin said the soccer field was wide enough to meet the CFL standard of 65 yards. The two yellow end zone goal posts were sourced locally, and tipped with orange flags that act as wind indicators. The lines on the soccer field almost matched the football markings, but the CFL brought in a professional crew from Edmonton to paint all the lines, numbers and sponsor logos. On Thursday afternoon, Bruce Simpson of Edmonton was painting the lines on the field while other technicians were busy setting up sound and light systems. Saturday will be another busy day at the stadium as the setup for game day continues. Seguin said a major part of the job is making sure that all the communications, lighting and sound technology is in place for the teams, officials, announcers, media and broadcasters to plug in to. Normally, the home team is responsible for making sure that all the technology is in place, but since this is a game on neutral territory, the CFL steps in to work with local contractors. She said both football teams bring their own communications equipment so coaches can talk to each other and to the spotters and coaches who watch from high up in the stands. There's also communications for the officials, announcers, the TV broadcasters TSN and RDS, and radio stations who broadcast the games. Seguin's team also makes sure there are technicians on site to fix any problems during the game, and co-ordinate with the police, paramedics and other services. Seguin said the CFL partnered with the Avenir Centre to provide food concessions at the game. Both ends of the playing field are being set up as "party zones" with food and drink service, music and activities for children, and bathrooms within easy reach. Fans who bring a blanket can set up on the grassy knoll and watch the game from there. "The social aspect of a football game is important," said Seguin, who travels to many special events like the Touchdown Atlantic game, but spends most of her time organizing the annual Grey Cup championship game. Seguin pointed out that a line of portable toilets were set up in the shade of the grandstand because she knows how hot and stuffy they can get when left in direct summer sunlight. Lucas Barrett, a spokesman for the CFL, said the teams are scheduled to arrive Friday, bringing truckloads of gear with them to set up their dressing rooms for Sunday's game. Seguin said advance ticket sales have been good and organizers are expecting a crowd of up to 10,000 at the game. A box office will be set up at the main gate to sell for the walk-up crowd and tickets range in price from $45 general admission in the party zone to $183 for club seats that include food and beverage service. Grandstand tickets range from $65 to $105, depending on the view of the field. With Environment Canada forecasting sunny skies and a high of 22 Celsius for Sunday, Seguin is predicting a healthy number of last minute fans. She said big games on the CFL schedule usually get an attendance of 20,000 to 30,000 fans. The area underneath the grandstand will offer food and drink concessions, and fans who don't want to wait for a drink will be able to purchase from mobile beer vendors offering "crack and go" service. Kickoff is 1 p.m. * * If you go... • Getting there: Parking is limited around the stadium, so the City of Moncton will operate a Park and ride program. Fans can park at the Moncton Coliseum for free and purchase a $15 bracelet (cash only) for bus service to the stadium. Shuttles will depart from the Coliseum beginning at 11 a.m. Post-event shuttles will depart from the same drop-off location near the stadium. The Greater Moncton Football Association is also offering a park and ride service on Sunday. Pick-up is set for 10:30 a.m. at the GMFA clubhouse in Centennial Park. Cost is $20 and includes entry to the pre-game party, one beverage and one hamburger. The shuttle service will return fans to Centennial Park following the game. • Tailgate party: An all-ages tailgate party takes place before and after the game. It will be open from 10 a.m. to noon prior to the game, with a $10 entry fee including one free hot dog or hamburger per guest. There will be a beer garden and live music, as well as a zone for families with children. All profits will go to Football New Brunswick. • Spectator access: Fans walking or biking to the game can enter through the main gates off Antonine-Maillet Avenue and McLaughlin Drive. Bike lock-ups will be available near the stadium box office. Spectator Drop-off: Spectators being dropped off by a personal vehicle or taxi can do so at Hillside Drive and Massey Avenue. Accessible Access: Accessible drop-off areas at the Croix Bleue Medavie Stadium can be accessed via Pascal-Poirier Street, with the proper accessible identification. No parking on campus: Parking on the Université de Moncton campus will be prohibited on Sunday. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on game day, Université Avenue, between Clément- Cormier Street and Morton Avenue, will be closed. Both intersections will remain open. .