Mattress Vancouver

Football in British Columbia will have a new, ‘old,’ venue this spring as the B.C. Lions will be leaving their den and moving back to Empire Field.

The stadium will be a temporary setting, while B.C. Place receives a much-needed renovation.

Lions Football debuted at Empire Field in 1954.

The club has not played at the PNE grounds since 1983, when the Lions moved to B.C. Place.

The budget for the temporary stadium is 14.4 million and will include seating for 27,500 enthusiastic fans.

Unlike their seasons at B.C. Place, the well-rested Lions will now play football exposed to the elements, while 20,000 fans will receive cover.

This exposure may not be a factor in the spring, but come fall, the boys will be out in the cold.

The Felions will also have to adapt, as plans are all ready in the works for a new uniform. The warmer games will see the cheerleaders in black short shorts and tight fitting tops and the colder games will find them in capri pants and jackets.

The turf on the new field will actually be the old artificial turf used at B.C. Place. With all the rain we receive in Vancouver, a natural grass field might turn into a weekly mud fest.

The site will also be the home of the Whitecaps for part of their 2011 season.

Empire Stadium