Manitoba Tories ask auditor general to investigate IGF stadium

Manitoba's official opposition is promising to get to the bottom of what went wrong with Investors Group Field.

The Progressive Conservatives have written to the auditor general asking for an investigation into construction problems on the building.

It's their second call for an investigation into the stadium project.

• Manitoba PCs call for review of IGF stadium construction
• Ron Lemieux 'extremely disappointed' about Investors Group Field problems

The $209-million stadium has been plagued by drainage problems, leaks and cracked concrete.

It is the subject of a lawsuit between the consortium that oversaw the work, BBB Stadium Inc., and construction firm Stuart Olson.

"The project continues to not be done, at least properly, and the result is millions of dollars in additional costs, and those costs continue to grow," said Conservative leader Brian Pallister.

Premier Greg Selinger said the auditor general is welcome to investigate the construction of the stadium.

"The auditor general is an independent officer. They're completely free to investigate any of these things," said Selinger. "We have no problem with that if they wish to do that. I understand people will be making requests. If the auditor general wants to prioritize it, they can do that."

• Builder strikes back: Stuart Olson blames province and BBB for rush job on stadium

The Progressive Conservatives tell CBC they want the auditor general to look specifically at whether the NDP government interfered in the construction of the stadium.

NDP house leader Steve Ashton acknowledged there were issues with construction of the facility but said that's not out of the ordinary.

"I know [those issues] are in the courts; that's not unusual with a major construction. It was a $200-million project," said Ashton. The real issue here is, it's built and it's serving Manitobans and it is serving them well."

Ashton echoed Selinger in saying the province has no problem with the auditor general looking into the stadium project, but he stopped short of saying they would write a letter asking for one.