MLSE interested in Argos with eye on NFL in Toronto

[shayman]

it makes perfect sense if they have expansion plans in a drawer somewhere already that can be taken to the Ex's board meeting on thursday to show feasibility of concept...

...which seems exactly what you'd want to do if you were looking to fast track (ie: 3 yr window) this sort of project.

Plans might exist, sure, but no way has PCL already been awarded the contract without any public discussion. Publicly-owned facilities don't get built that way. (Although given the lack of municipal oversight that led to BMO being built unsuitable for football in the first place, maybe it shouldn't surprise me.)

[T-Bone]

Plans might exist, sure, but no way has PCL already been awarded the contract without any public discussion. Publicly-owned facilities don't get built that way. (Although given the lack of municipal oversight that led to BMO being built unsuitable for football in the first place, maybe it shouldn't surprise me.)

No public discussion is required. All that's required is a majority Exhibition Place Board vote and a majority City Council vote. I also agree that PCL plans may exist but they are far from approved yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a variety of companies giving proposals for renovation plans.

[Mulder]

No public discussion is required. All that's required is a majority Exhibition Place Board vote and a majority City Council vote. I also agree that PCL plans may exist but they are far from approved yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a variety of companies giving proposals for renovation plans.

I would. The structure was a design build. Meaning the same company did it. Going with PCL is the cheapest option by far. Even if a variety of companies intended gave proposals, they have to meet strict requirements to even submit it, which would discourage alot of companies right off the bat. After that, they are not just graded on price, but past performance, references, etc, etc.

In addition, all the structural drawings, references and knowledge of this building lies with PCL's engineers. Any new company would have to fully assess the structure, meanwhile PCL opens a folder on their server and done.

There is some ridiculous "It can't be done" statement on soccer fan boy sites. With no basis other than they don't want to see it happen.

[Tau Ceti]

Rumour going around on Soccer-Fan boy sites is that PCL has the contract for Construction and renovation of BMO field, for a roof over the stands and stadium modifications for the Argos to be completed by 2015.

Are these rumours based on any info that's been made public?

[Mulder]

Are these rumours based on any info that's been made public?

They wouldn't be rumours otherwise.

[Tau Ceti]

They wouldn't be rumours otherwise.

How clever.

[T-Bone]

I would. The structure was a design build. Meaning the same company did it. Going with PCL is the cheapest option by far. Even if a variety of companies intended gave proposals, they have to meet strict requirements to even submit it, which would discourage alot of companies right off the bat. After that, they are not just graded on price, but past performance, references, etc, etc.

In addition, all the structural drawings, references and knowledge of this building lies with PCL's engineers. Any new company would have to fully assess the structure, meanwhile PCL opens a folder on their server and done.

I agree that it would make the most sense for PCL to do the renovation if it is going to happen. Like I said though I wouldn't be surprised if they have a variety of companies giving proposals. As it stands right now the city has approached MLSE to look in to renovating the place for the Argos. As MLSE is a tenant they are doing what they are being told and probably got PCL and possibly other companies to do up some designs and estimates. I'm sure we are still quite some time away from hearing anything official.

There is some ridiculous "It can't be done" statement on soccer fan boy sites. With no basis other than they don't want to see it happen.

You haven't seen posts based on nothing but emotional reaction before?

Are these rumours based on any info that's been made public?

The post was worded very similar to this actually:

The stadium will be built, and it will be built in North Markham, or Vaughn as part of a huge commercial development. The Argos will start the 2016 season in the new place. That is all I can say at this time. Choose to believe me or not, don't care, but BMO is out

Nothing has been publicly announced yet.

[Tau Ceti]

Interesting note from the Post's coverage of the Bills-to-Toronto story. Apparently Braley's starting price on the Argos is as high as $20 million. http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/...ls-to-toronto/

I still think this whole thing is a long shot but it was heartening to read yesterday that the NFL is insistent the Argos survive any move of the league into this market.

[paulwoods13]

For those fans here who have been vitriolic on their comments about Kathleen Wynne, here is what she said in the Toronto Sun:

The premier said she would be guided by the principle that the CFL remains viable.

“We wouldn’t want to hurt the Argos,” she said.

And the NDP leader, who presumably is hated even more than Wynne by "Ford Nation," had this to say:

Forget the Buffalo Bills and bring Bon Jovi to Toronto, New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath said.

CFL football has a long tradition, a hard game that Canadians play very well, she noted.

“People talk about this opportunity for the Bills to come here as a bed of roses — making that little pun of course with Bon Jovi, I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Bon Jovi myself in the Toronto area,” Horwath said.

“But having said that, not to the detriment of our CFL teams, of our Argos and our Tiger-Cats … I think we need to keep supporting our CFL and make sure it’s strong and vigorous and I don’t want to see the possibility of us losing ground in the CFL. We’ve seen too much of that.”


http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/25...ill-to-toronto

[ArgoGabe22]

Hudak is a Bills fan but I bet he would rather go Orchard Park than the Dome.

[Argocister]

For those fans here who have been vitriolic on their comments about Kathleen Wynne, here is what she said in the Toronto Sun:

The premier said she would be guided by the principle that the CFL remains viable.

“We wouldn’t want to hurt the Argos,” she said.

And the NDP leader, who presumably is hated even more than Wynne by "Ford Nation," had this to say:

Forget the Buffalo Bills and bring Bon Jovi to Toronto, New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath said.

CFL football has a long tradition, a hard game that Canadians play very well, she noted.

“People talk about this opportunity for the Bills to come here as a bed of roses — making that little pun of course with Bon Jovi, I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Bon Jovi myself in the Toronto area,” Horwath said.

“But having said that, not to the detriment of our CFL teams, of our Argos and our Tiger-Cats … I think we need to keep supporting our CFL and make sure it’s strong and vigorous and I don’t want to see the possibility of us losing ground in the CFL. We’ve seen too much of that.”


http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/25...ill-to-toronto

So..... is she prepping the masses for some future gov't funding for .... dare I say .... a stadium somewhere?

How many voters were watching the Argos this year?

[Ron]

I still think this whole thing is a long shot but it was heartening to read yesterday that the NFL is insistent the Argos survive any move of the league into this market.

Besides not wanting the CFL to die. (The NFL did float the CFL a loan when they were literally on death's door in the late 90's) From a practical perspective ... the CFL being alive will allow the NFL to maintain is extremely valuable anti-trust status.