Lawsuit alleges Winnipeg's IGF stadium leaky, mouldy

Poor drainage and leaks are just the beginning of what a lawsuit alleges make up for millions of dollars of “defects and deficiencies” at Investors Group Field.

• Ron Lemieux 'extremely disappointed' about Investors Group Field problems

The problems range from not enough service elevators to mould issues from water leaking into the walls.

The lawsuit has been filed against Raymond SC Wan architectural firm and Stuart Olson Construction by BBB Stadium Inc. BBB is a consortium of the City of Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Football Club and the University of Manitoba.

The statement of claim alleges 51 separate "functional and operational defects as well as construction and building code violations concerning the design and construction of IG Field."

Stadium not winterized

One of the most extensive issues claimed by BBB Stadium centres around the building being useable in the winter. The claim suggests there is a "lack of heat in all mechanical, sprinkler and electrical rooms that function through all four seasons."

BBB claims there isn't enough heat in concession areas for cold weather use, doors don't have adequate weather stripping and there is a lack of suitable thermal insulation throughout the facility. The lawsuit also alleges sprinkler, water and drainage pipes don't have proper protection from the cold. The lawsuit cites an "inadequate consideration of mechanical systems winterization design for the entire facility."

Contractors have already been hired to start adding insulation to several areas around the building.

Concourse leaks not only concern

Staff from the Winnipeg Football Club have been shoveling out snow on concourses and other parts of the stadium to mitigate water damage to luxury suites and the substructure below. Repairs to these areas could involve removing the concrete and improving the drainage and waterproof membranes.

The statement of claim alleges the concourses were also not built strong enough to withstand the weight of equipment needed to move around goods such as kegs of beer. The lawsuit says the weight restrictions are "due to slab design and composition."

Selinger called cracks ‘minor’

CBC News first raised questions about extensive cracking on the concourses when IGF opened in June of 2013. Premier Greg Selinger didn't see a problem at the time:

"These minor items need to be cleaned up ... they will be cleaned up. But as long as the stadium is safe and accessible and used by as many people as possible ... it's a good investment."

But the lawsuit filed against Ray Wan and Stuart Olson specifically mentions "extensive concourse slab cracking" as one of the defects.

Long list

BBB claims there are not enough water taps to hook up pressure washers to clean the seats or taps to water the surrounding landscaping. The facility doesn't have enough storage and the hot water boilers face early replacement because of inadequate design. Sidewalks around the stadium are settling; exposed steel wasn't painted and BBB considers the design for the entrance gates to be “inadequate.”

BBB Stadium chair Andrew Konowalchuk said $4.7 million has already been spent to repair, replace or improve some of the issues outlined in the statement of claim. Some items have been fixed and Konowalchuk said the stadium is safe and in compliance with building codes and fire regulations.

The city has also confirmed that IGF is currently within compliance of fire and building codes, although there are ongoing projects and have been permits drawn that will need to be pass final inspections.

The general counsel for Stuart Olson Construction told CBC News the company will not comment when there is a current legal matter before the courts.

CBC News attempted to contact architect Ray Wan without success.