Downsview makes the most sense to me as well. I can get on the GO for BMO or the RC no problem, but sometimes begrudge that hour both ways. It will be longer to BMO. But gone are the days of driving to the EX grounds on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with not much traffic especially with the continual construction.
Downsview would be the closest to how things used to be at the EX for parking etc. Why not shuttle buses for people in some of the downtown areas. It seemed to work out ok in Ottawa this year. Park at a few designated places and bus to the Stadium. I took in a game in Ottawa this year and the bus shuttle worked fine.
But as PW says the big IF is who will fund a Stadium. The City and Province are so cash strapped even though the money wasted on the Pan Am games and other Provincial Government gaffes could have built several Stadiums.
This thread is like a cat chasing it's tail.
I WISH we had the money to build your stadium.
Went for a walk by the Lake this morning. Reminded me of Playoff weather at the EX. South West wind howling off the Lake feeling colder than it really was. But we will all be happy back outside at BMO. lol
One option is to build the new Argos stadium in stages, much like BMO which cost $63M to build in 2007 with 20,000 seats.
The Argos could erect temporary grandstands around their practice field in Downsview (the site looks like it was pre-designed to accommodate grandstands). The Lions built a 27,500-seat temporary stadium for a reported $14.4 million in 2009. At least in Downsview the Fieldturf field and Argo locker rooms are already in-place, so a 20,000-seat grandstand might cost only $10 million. Then in the next year or two a permanent 12,500-seat concrete grandstand could be built on one side. Then in another year or two a permanent grandstand could be built on the other side (with private boxes, club seating, lounges, ect.) The eventual cost might total $120M (similar to Hamilton's THF construction cost) but phased in over 10 years, for example, as finances and fan interest warrant.
Within 10 years Toronto might realize the city needs a football stadium (with RC and BMO restricted to baseball & soccer) or there could be an international sports event which would warrant the city/prov/feds investing in an outdoor stadium in Toronto. While minimalistic at first, at least the Argos would have a place to play and be in position to expand their stadium as needed.
Of course the Argos would have to negotiate a long-term lease for the property but I believe a stadium has been pre-approved in that location (after MLSE had done preparatory work for a proposed NFL stadium there). The advantage for MLSE is added revenue, while keeping their cherished BMO a natural-grass soccer-only jewel.
Cameron Dukes + Dan Adeboboye + Kevin Mital + David Ungerer + Damonte Coxie + DaVaris Daniels + Dejon Brissett = Unstoppable Force
I don't understand why there are discussions about the site for a stadium. There is no appetite anywhere to build another facility. Who is going to pay? The only real option is BMO field. Hopefully John Tory as Mayor (and ex-CFL commissioner) can exert some influence to sway whoever to get things moving in that direction. Otherwise, I fear the Argos will be homeless after 2017. That's if they are not killed off by indifference before then.
You nailed it, and whether in the padt you wanted BMO or not, now is the time to put that a side and as 1 fan base just get behind BMO and promote it to the team, the city, and other fans, in fact anyone who will listen. We want to play at BMO should be our motto for 2015. We have no choice
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