Richardson Memorial Stadium

There have been three versions of George Taylor Richardson Memorial Stadium, a Canadian football stadium located on the campus of the Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. All three have been the home of the Golden Gaels/Gaels football team. The facilities are named in memory of George Taylor Richardson, a Queen's graduate renowned for his athleticism and sportsmanship who died in the First World War.

Not to be confused with Richardson Stadium.
Richardson Stadium
The West stands at the second stadium
Full nameRichardson Memorial Stadium
LocationQueen's West Campus,
Kingston, Ontario
OwnerQueen's University
Capacity8,000+ (2016–)
8,600 (2013–2015)
10,200 (1971–2012)
4,700 (1921–1971)
SurfaceFieldTurf[1]
Grass (1921–2015)
Construction
OpenedOctober 18, 1921 (1921-10-18)
RebuiltFall 1971 (2nd stadium)
September 17, 2016 (3rd stadium)
Tenants
Queen's Gaels (Ontario University Athletics & U Sports football)

The original stadium built in 1921 was funded by George's brother, James Armstrong Richardson, graduate and Chancellor of Queen's.

The second stadium was built in 1971. The stadium's bleachers (which recycled steel from the first facility) were deemed structurally unsafe in May 2013, causing 6,500 seats to be removed.[2] Renovations were completed in July 2013, with a new seat capacity of 8,500 with two new end zone seating sections.[3]

In December 2014, a $20.27 million revitalization was announced that was completed for September 17, 2016 for its inaugural football game. According to the university the facility has "over 8,000" seats, but no specific number is provided by the institution.[4][5][6]

History

Original field (1921–1971)

The original field was located on Union Street at the present site of Mackintosh-Corry Hall and its parking lot. It was opened in 1921 on a piece of land bought from a community of nuns. This field hosted the 1922 Grey Cup, where the Golden Gaels defeated the Edmonton Elks 13–1, for their first of three Grey Cups. The official attendance was listed at 4,700. According to Michael Januska's book, Grey Cup Century there were more spectators on hand than the original grandstand could accommodate.

"The 10th Grey Cup was the only final played in Kingston, Ontario. The stands at Richardson Stadium were filled to capacity, just under 5,000, with the overflow standing around the field." - Grey Cup Century, pg. 46[7]

Franklin Delano Roosevelt received his honorary degree from Queen's on August 18, 1938 at Richardson, where he made a historic speech that was seen as a departure from American isolationism.[8]

Second stadium (1971–2016)
A view from outside the second stadium

When a new social sciences complex, Mackintosh-Corry Hall was planned, the original stadium was torn down and relocated to the newly acquired West Campus. Many staff, students, and alumni were very upset about the move, feeling that the stadium belonged in the heart of campus, but the project went ahead anyway and the stadium was built on West Campus in 1971.

In 2013, seating capacity was reduced to 8,500, down from 10,200, because of the temporary bleachers due to construction.[9]

Third stadium (2016–)

Plans to reconstruct the 40-year-old stadium at the same location were approved in December 2014, with $20.27 million of funding needed.[10] Principal Daniel Woolf stated that the stadium was "desperately in need of revitalization". $17 million was raised from donations, including $10 million from former Gaels football player and current Guelph Gryphons head coach Stu Lang. Construction began on December 5, 2015 and the stadium re-opened for the beginning of the 2016 football season on September 17, 2016.[11]

Soccer

Richardson played host to two World Cup 2006 qualifiers between Canada and Belize in 2004. Canada won both matches 4–0 and progressed to the semifinal stage after Belize had forfeited their right to play a home match due to a lack of infrastructure.

Rugby league

It hosted the Colonial Cup match between the U.S. Tomahawks and Canada Wolverines on September 19, 2010 which was the first international rugby league match played in Canada since 1995.[12]

Rugby union

On June 9, 2012, Canada played the United States in a friendly match. Canada won 28–25 in front of 7,521 spectators.[13]

References
  1. from Queen's University Connect, 3 August 2016, retrieved 14 September 2016
  2. http://www.thewhig.com/2013/05/03/upper-bleachers-at-richardson-stadium-deemed-unsafe
  3. QJ Sports [@QJsports] (31 July 2013). "With new temporary bleachers, Richardson Stadium's capacity will be roughly 8,500 for football season - about 1,700 less than before" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. "Amenities". www.richardsonstadium.com. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  5. Board approves stadium revitalization from Queen's Gazette, 9 December 2014, retrieved 9 December 2014
  6. "Richardson Stadium Revitalization". Queen's University. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  7. Januska, Michael (2012-09-22). Grey Cup Century. Dundurn. ISBN 9781459704480.
  8. "FDR's Historic Campus Visit". Queen's University Gazette. 13 August 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  9. QJ Sports [@QJsports] (31 July 2013). "With new temporary bleachers, Richardson Stadium's capacity will be roughly 8,500 for football season - about 1,700 less than before" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. "Queen's Approves Construction of New Stadium". Queen's Journal. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  11. "Richardson Stadium Then and Now". Queen's Journal. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-08-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "Carpenter Leads Canada Over US In Kingston". Rugby Canada. Retrieved June 13, 2012.

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