Stadium Updates

[Neely2005]

From what I read on CHCH's Facebook page, part of the problem is that the city did not use the city's union contractors that they should have used. The consensus on there is that everything would have been done on time if they had done that.

Yeah right. The next time that a Canadian unionized construction company completes a government job on time will be the first time.

[ArgoZ]

From what I read on CHCH's Facebook page, part of the problem is that the city did not use the city's union contractors that they should have used. The consensus on there is that everything would have been done on time if they had done that.

It is hard to say for sure. While union companies generally provide better service, they are more expensive, so when your on a public budget, the trade off is often worth the risk. It's a good sales pitch though for using them. The job site started off with a non union demolition company, that ruffled some union feathers, but they got the job done on time, pockets got lined and that payed off. The non union masonry contractor disappeared and the electrical bailed. They lost out there, but that's just everyday business in this trade. There is often a lot of deception when it comes to large construction projects. Not everything is as it seems, and even the most trusted resources are secretly trying to increase their percentage points, wherever they can. Promises are easily made and broken. The general contractor is to provide a million for every missed game to the Cats. There is so much legal jargon and clauses, that I wouldn't be surprised they never see that money. As someone that is in the construction business, my company is Hamilton based, I honestly do not see the stadium ready for Labour Day, which is why I haven't got tickets yet, LOL.

[paulwoods13]

I honestly do not see the stadium ready for Labour Day, which is why I haven't got tickets yet, LOL.

It clearly won't be finished by Labour Day, or likely any time this season, but I would be shocked if it is not open by then. I expect LDay will be the first game in the stadium. As far as I know LD is already sold out. There's little to no chance the Cats and the city will allow the black eye that would be playing that game at McMaster before 6,000 people.

[ArgoZ]

It clearly won't be finished by Labour Day, or likely any time this season, but I would be shocked if it is not open by then. I expect LDay will be the first game in the stadium. As far as I know LD is already sold out. There's little to no chance the Cats and the city will allow the black eye that would be playing that game at McMaster before 6,000 people.

I want nothing more to be wrong and yourself right. However, when I decide to do a drive by, if I am working in the area, I just don't see it ready in 5 weeks, (25 working days), the amount of time needed for inspections and compliances after. I suppose nothing is impossible, but the facts don't support this idea. Since the deadline has been missed and we have already discussed the make believe penalties, overtime has since been suspended. I guess they can chance a game in a half built stadium, but here we go again rolling the dices. What happens when the game goes into overtime and they realize they have no lights? Just a funny scenario among many that could potentially happen. The suites do not even have walls up yet. I can imagine people sitting in lawn chairs on exposed concrete in their "private box". It might do more damage to try to pull this off, then say play a night game at Rogers Centre.

I plan on buying tix through the secondary market, but there is no point as I see it right now. If all fails, I will try scalpers game day.

[argolio]

Yeah right. The next time that a Canadian unionized construction company completes a government job on time will be the first time.

Some are, some aren't. I know the Sheppard subway came in on time and under budget. Apparently the Ottawa underground LRT line is ahead of schedule.

[ArgoRavi]

It clearly won't be finished by Labour Day, or likely any time this season, but I would be shocked if it is not open by then. I expect LDay will be the first game in the stadium. As far as I know LD is already sold out. There's little to no chance the Cats and the city will allow the black eye that would be playing that game at McMaster before 6,000 people.

According to McMaster, Paul, the Ticats can't play on Labour Day there because the Marauders have a game. I would say that they should move the Labour Day game to Toronto this year but I doubt that SkyDome would cooperate.

[shayman]

According to McMaster, Paul, the Ticats can't play on Labour Day there because the Marauders have a game. I would say that they should move the Labour Day game to Toronto this year but I doubt that SkyDome would cooperate.

Jays play the Yankees the day before, so that won't work; conversion couldn't happen in time.

[T-Bone]

Yeah right. The next time that a Canadian unionized construction company completes a government job on time will be the first time.

BMO Field. On time, on budget.

[AngeloV]

Jays play the Yankees the day before, so that won't work; conversion couldn't happen in time.

I still have a hard time buying that you need 36 hours to convert.

[BATKINSON001]

I still have a hard time buying that you need 36 hours to convert.

ROgers doesn't have the staff anymore (or the inclination to do so) to get it done inside of a day like back in the 90's...

[AngeloV]

ROgers doesn't have the staff anymore (or the inclination to do so) to get it done inside of a day like back in the 90's...

So it's not that it CAN'T be done. It that they WON'T get it done.

That's what I suspected.

[ArgoRavi]

So it's not that it CAN'T be done. It that they WON'T get it done.

That's what I suspected.

That is what I have always suspected to, AV. They used to be able to do the conversion so that you could play a baseball game one night and a football game the next or vice versa. It seems to be only since Rogers bought the stadium that this has now become impossible.

[Mulder]

That is what I have always suspected to, AV. They used to be able to do the conversion so that you could play a baseball game one night and a football game the next or vice versa. It seems to be only since Rogers bought the stadium that this has now become impossible.

It's a load of crap. I stayed in the Skydome hotel in 2010. After they got the new turf I think.

Game was Friday night, by the next morning the dome was already converted back to baseball save about a quarter of the turf, stands were moved. I remember waking up at times during the night to see how it was progressing, and there not being alot of staff.

I used to wonder why there has never been a video of the Skydome converting the field from baseball to football or vise-versa. But I think it's pretty clear that alot of nothing gets done and it would expose that it is really quicker than 48 hours.

[shayman]

So it's not that it CAN'T be done. It that they WON'T get it done.

That's what I suspected.

A wise person once said "If you don't why something is the way it is, the answer is 'money.'"

A quick google search reveals lots of statements from the past about how conversion from football to baseball takes "8-10 hours" "10-12 hours" or "16 hours" or similar.

There has to be a time-lapse video out there somewhere, or statements from when the stadium was built about how quick it'd take.

Although I also remember they used to brag that opening and closing the roof only used $5 worth of electricity so they'd be happy to do it every time a tour group came through.

Hey, here's a good one. Google searches are fun. April 2010. "Only 10,610 fans showed up for Wednesday night's game against the White Sox." http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=318195

[rdavies]

[matchuk]

im beating a dead horse, but it was so depressing to see the graphic on tsn yesterday about the cfl stadiums, how every team (except one of course) either has or is getting a new stadium or has had upgrades in the last few seasons...

[rdavies]

im beating a dead horse, but it was so depressing to see the graphic on tsn yesterday about the cfl stadiums, how every team (except one of course) either has or is getting a new stadium or has had upgrades in the last few seasons...

Don't mean to rub it in, but TD Place looked great on TV last night. Interesting, that during the halftime, Commish Cohon still stated BMO by name as a home for the Argos. You would think if it was dead or not realistically in the picture, he wouldn't do that.


TSN 1050 Mike Hogan with Mark Cohon
July 18 2014

Mike Hogan sits down with CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon to talk about the return of CFL Football to Ottawa and the state of the Toronto Argos.

Tim Hortons Field Update
Ticats TV takes a look at the turf and the scoreboard structure at Tim Hortons Field
July 20, 2014

[rdavies]

[rdavies]

[rdavies]