New Stadium Locations

[rdavies]

Would you guys complain about a faint white line on the field? I hope not. And yes, some, not all, as we used to say in marketing class but with them there's a whole lotta some.

[paulwoods13]

So you think the stadium sharing will be all sunshine and roses.

I never said that, or anything like that. I have said more than once that it is the best (only) option we have, and I'm fine with it.

You, on the other hand, specifically said the BMO sharing will go bust. Is that or is that not what you believe?

[rdavies]

I think there is a good chance of that happening, unlike you I don't see it lasting the life of a stadium.

[paulwoods13]

And I think there is a good chance the stadium will be all sunshine and roses, whatever that means. Good chance is a lot less definitive than will, right?

[rdavies]

Well if I have to watch every word I post I guess I'll have to dig out the magnifying glass to read yours as well. I wish I could be as definitive and knowing about the future as you. I'm just raising possibilities and stating my opinions for what little they're worth.

[doubleblue]

I'm still a firm believer in Downsview. I like the idea on being downtown in the Portlands, but I can't see anything happening there until the next iceage retreats. Downsview seems to be the best available spot, right at the old supply depot. It's central to pretty much everywhere, right on a GO and subway station with lots of room to park and party.

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.

[Fumblitis]

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.

Great idea! Whose gonna fund it?

[Argocister]

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.

Great idea! Whose gonna fund it?

Perhaps the Rider fans can!..... then when there is a Rider Argo Grey Cup you could cheer for both teams!.... wonder if they would allow that....

[Fumblitis]

I WISH we had the money to build your stadium.

[Double Dare]

This thread is like a cat chasing it's tail.

[Invader]

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.

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.

[ArgoRavi]

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.

Again, who will pay for this temporary stadium at Downsview that you speak of? It won't be any level of government and it won't be David Braley. Who is left?

[hugoagogo]

Again, who will pay for this temporary stadium at Downsview that you speak of? It won't be any level of government and it won't be David Braley. Who is left?

Lotto Max is 50 mil next Friday

[Invader]

Again, who will pay for this temporary stadium at Downsview that you speak of? It won't be any level of government and it won't be David Braley. Who is left?

I projected the cost of a 20,000-seat temporary grandstand at Downsview at $10M (the Lions built a 27,500-seat temp. stadium for $14.4M which included FieldTurf and locker rooms, which are already in place at Downsview).

There were several posters on this forum who suggested the Argos, Braley or CFL should give $10M to MLSE to facilitate BMO's renovation. Few said that that was impossible? At Downsview, the Argos would have their own stadium, own signage, sponsorship and naming rights revenue. MLSE might be enticed by controlling 5,000 parking spots on the site, for example, not only for Argo games but concerts, community events, Vanier Cups, Grey Cups, Rugby nationals, CSA (who are teaming up with the CFL to launch a new Canadian soccer league), Metro and College Bowls (which require a CFL field) etc.

There are almost no events other than TFC games at BMO due to their restrictive union contracts and desire not to damage their grass field. Truly there is a need for a outdoor football stadium in Toronto.

Build it and they will come!

I guess if the Argos can't invest $10M or have some level of government chip in, they don't deserve to exist, I guess. Even the Ticats ($25M), Riders ($40M), Bombers ($100M), Als (approx. $10M) made cash investments towards their new stadiums...the Argos should be no different.

Another option is for the Argos to borrow the money, like the Bombers did. The Riders and Esks are sitting on about $100M in cash reserves, perhaps they could loan the Argos the money? Or introduce a revenue-sharing plan in the CFL which would see the more successful teams support the "small-markets?" Other leagues do this, why not the CFL?

The CFL having a team in Toronto is crucial for the league and TSN's TV contract. Coming up with $10M to provide the Argos with a stadium to play in should not be prohibitive for the franchise to remain in business. What's the alternative? No football stadium and no football team in the 4th-biggest TV market in North America?

[paulwoods13]

I projected the cost of a 20,000-seat temporary grandstand at Downsview at $10M (the Lions built a 27,500-seat temp. stadium for $14.4M which included FieldTurf and locker rooms, which are already in place at Downsview).

Since you keep raising this, let me keep raising my response. The temporary stadium the Lions used was not even remotely close to CFL-calibre. Fully half of the seats -- yes, half -- were BEHIND THE GOAL LINES. And of course washrooms were in portables, few concession stands, etc. It was a useful short-term measure that was needed during a stadium reno, but if anyone tried to build that as a permanent home for the Argos, the franchise would be dead three years later.

[paulwoods13]

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 new Argo stadium." That is still as hilarious a concept now as it was the other 100 times you trumpeted it. FOI, is your hero David Braley funding the new Argo stadium?

[RB957]

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.

[AngeloV]

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.

Problem is that some don't deal in reality. This thread should be called the Where should the Argos fantasy stadium be located?

[Neely2005]

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.

Downsview is still pretty difficult to drive to, the last few kilometers are a tough drive. 400 & 7 is close by and is an easier drive IMO. Plus it will only be a couple more TTC Subway stops to get there on transit. Regardless it appears to be BMO Field or bust.

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

Yeah I think people will be right back to wishing for a Domed Stadium during the late season games.

[Antwon]

Longtime Argo fan who grew up in Burlington.My wife and daughter are TiCat fans, it's a fun rivalry.
We went to our first game at Tim Horton’s Field for the eastern final.One word “WOW”.
The stadium is great.Great views, amazing atmosphere, very loud.You know you’re in the Ticats stadium, and the fans have taken a ‘This is our house’ attitude that will make it difficult for all visiting teams.
From an Argo fan perspective…only envy.IMO they are dead in the water if they don’t secure a new venue to play.Their own stadium to duplicate what the Ticats have would be great, but I agree it’s a fantasy.So the next best thing would be BMO.Even though we would still be tenants, it would provide a fresh new experience for Argo games to build on.

I guess we can only sit and wait.