When you show up to TD Place for an event, you expect things to run perfectly, but you likely don’t consider what it takes to get everything ready.

Most people aren’t thinking about the automated parking gates, the air conditioning, the ice plant, or realistically any other mechanical infrastructure in the building, but it’s incredibly important to running a successful event, whether it’s a sporting event, concert, or anything else.

Chris’ role as Senior Director of Operations may seem straightforward enough, but the reality is no two days are ever the same.

“There are always things that need to be worked out and there’s no repeat solution. There’s always a different twist to the scenario, or things that you haven’t seen, but you have to get it done quickly.”

For much of his life, Wynn has been working in arenas, making sure the ice is ready for play.

“Ice is what I grew up on, and it’s probably the strongest piece of what I brought when I was originally hired,” Wynn said. “I always worked on and rehabbed a lot of old facilities throughout the United States, so I have a lot of experience with a lot of old stuff.”

That experience has proven invaluable working at TD Place, an older stadium.

“Every building has its own challenges,” Wynn said. “The uniqueness of the stands being over the arena is something that is very different to this arena. It creates problems with heat and water coming through the stands, so it’s always a challenge.”

“Dehumidification is probably one of the most important pieces of equipment in your building, but that was never here before. We retrofitted a piece of equipment to make a dehumidification system, and life is a little better, but it’s not what you would get with a new facility like we’re expecting with Lansdowne 2.0.”

With new things popping up all the time to take care of, Wynn says his favourite part of the job is the chaotic nature of it at times, adding that there is never a dull moment.

He fondly remembers the 2016 East Final between the Ottawa REDBLACKS and Edmonton, where he was part of a team shoveling the snow off the markings on the field, helping the REDBLACKS punch their ticket to the Grey Cup.

It’s not what happens at work that he appreciates the most, but rather what it means to his kids, who get to enjoy a myriad of unique and memorable experiences because of it.

“My kids have grown up with Lansdowne,” Wynn said. “My son was four, and my daughter was 12 when we won the Grey Cup. They were part of the parade, and we had a chance to have the Grey Cup, stuff like that makes a difference for me.”

Wynn’s future goals are simple, stick around to see what else he can help build.

“I want to be a part of Lansdowne 2.0 and see that through,” Wynn said. “I like being able to impact the decisions that get made.”