B.C. Lions outline next steps for upgraded practice facility amid CFLPA report card review

The B.C. Lions are taking steps to respond to concerns raised in the CFLPA’s 2025 report card by outlining the next phase of upgrades to their Surrey-based practice facility.

The organization acknowledged the feedback from players and emphasized its commitment to improving working conditions across all areas. Since the CFLPA introduced team report cards last year, the Lions say they have placed greater focus on enhancing the daily environment for both players and staff.

Following last year’s evaluation, the club addressed one key concern by appointing a new strength and conditioning coach. Despite space and infrastructure limitations at the current facility, the Lions insist progress has continued. The next round of renovations is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and will feature a significantly expanded locker room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a redesigned player lounge. Club officials believe these additions will allow the team’s nutrition and diet program to rank among the best in the CFL.

While the Lions improved slightly in this year’s report card — moving from a C- to a C — they still finished last overall among the league’s nine teams.

B.C. was one of only two franchises to receive an F grade in any category, failing in nutrition and diet. Player feedback in the anonymous survey highlighted major concerns, with one respondent stating the team’s nutrition standards were “well below” professional expectations, while another noted that responsibility for nutrition largely fell on the players themselves.

The Lions also earned a C- for facilities and equipment.

Though this category was not formally included in the inaugural report card, players had previously identified the outdated practice facility as the club’s biggest weakness. One comment acknowledged staff efforts but described the amenities as inadequate compared to other CFL teams.

In July, the Lions began addressing the issue by installing a temporary outdoor high-performance training centre, allowing football operations to continue while interior renovations progressed. Architectural renderings shared with 3DownNation reveal that the upcoming phase will convert the facility into a modern, high-performance training hub. The designs were produced by Tectonic Architecture, a firm with experience on major international events including the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the 2023 Laver Cup.

Although the renovation plans were already underway before the CFLPA released its findings, they align closely with areas highlighted in the report. Last season, the Lions received a D+ for training and medical staff.

The hiring of Tanner Care as director of player performance led to noticeable improvements, with the newly separated categories of strength and conditioning and therapy and medical staff earning grades of B and B-, respectively.