Would an Argo schedule even work at BMO?

[Ron]

This thread is NOT about TFC. This is only about whether a CFL schedule would "fit" into BMO. (assuming they end up there)

So looking quickly today at the TFC schedule for 2014 I got to wondering how the CFL would fit. The Argos would get 2nd crack at dates (at best) at BMO since the soccer sked comes out far ahead of the CFL sked.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2013/11/2014-season-schedule-released

One has to assume that any CFL game would have to occur 7-10 days prior to any TFC game to allow for the field to be repaired. (ie: TFC plays on a Saturday ... the Argo game has to be on Thurs-Sat the previous weekend)

On a quick glance ... it doesn't look that easy to do.

[paulwoods13]

O[/URL]ne has to assume that any CFL game would have to occur 7-10 days prior to any TFC game to allow for the field to be repaired. (ie: TFC plays on a Saturday ... the Argo game has to be on Thurs-Sat the previous weekend)

I think that's a rather large and unnecessary assumption. With good quality grass and good grounds-keeping, the field should not get badly chewed up by football unless there is a lot of rain. And I know TFC fans will think this is heresy, but I believe it's possible BMO will go back to field turf if the two teams share the facility.

[AngeloV]

And I know TFC fans will think this is heresy, but I believe it's possible BMO will go back to field turf if the two teams share the facility.

I wonder if it would be possible to put a field turf service over the grass for football allowing the best of both worlds.

[Deerkeeper]

I wonder if it would be possible to put a field turf service over the grass for football allowing the best of both worlds.

I've often wondered that myself. There are roll in grass fields in some domed stadiums around the world, why couldn't they develope a roll in field turf field. Something to consider if the worst case senario happens and the Argos do end up at BMO.

[T-Bone]

I believe it's possible BMO will go back to field turf if the two teams share the facility.

Anything is possible but Leiweke said that option is off the table, the grass is staying.

[AngeloV]

I've often wondered that myself. There are roll in grass fields in some domed stadiums around the world, why couldn't they develope a roll in field turf field. Something to consider if the worst case senario happens and the Argos do end up at BMO.

In 2004 when the Blue Jays still played on Astroturf, the Argos had their own field turf that was used for their games. I guess my thinking isn't whether or not you can use a removable field turf surface, but rather would it be an issue being on top of grass, or must the surface below the field turf be more of a harder surface (like concrete). Would a soft grass below the turf be an issue as far a stability is concerned, making it dangerous?

[Mulder]

Anything is possible but Leiweke said that option is off the table, the grass is staying.

He's also said pigs can fly and that he's going to make the Leafs a champion. Once the maintenance costs build up Turf will look awfully sweet.

[T-Bone]

He's also said pigs can fly and that he's going to make the Leafs a champion. Once the maintenance costs build up Turf will look awfully sweet.

You think MLSE will be paying for additional field maintenance costs if they don't own the Argos?

[Mulder]

You think MLSE will be paying for additional field maintenance costs if they don't own the Argos?

It'll be 50/50 cost share at the worst case.

[T-Bone]

It'll be 50/50 cost share at the worst case.

For example if the field maintenance costs triple with the Argos being a tenant at BMO Field I highly doubt MLSE will split the cost 50/50. I'm sure the Argos will be on the hook for 2/3 of the cost if MLSE doesn't own them.

[AngeloV]

For example if the field maintenance costs triple with the Argos being a tenant at BMO Field I highly doubt MLSE will split the cost 50/50. I'm sure the Argos will be on the hook for 2/3 of the cost if MLSE doesn't own them.

If MLSE doesn't own them, that would likely be covered in the rental agreement.

[Tau Ceti]

Are we actually imagining a situation with the Argos at BMO in which MLSE does not own them?

[Ron]

Are we actually imagining a situation with the Argos at BMO in which MLSE does not own them?

Some US Thanksgiving fairy dust at work I imagine.

But as I mentioned at the top. Assuming they keep the grass that already exists (and not a rather large and unnecessary assumption that they'll switch to turf ) ... it looks hard to fit a football season into a MLS season. (using the 2014 MLS season) That could be a major roadblock to any deal.

[paulwoods13]

Some US Thanksgiving fairy dust at work I imagine.

But as I mentioned at the top. Assuming they keep the grass that already exists (and not a rather large and unnecessary assumption that they'll switch to turf ) ... it looks hard to fit a football season into a MLS season. (using the 2014 MLS season) That could be a major roadblock to any deal.

Only if it takes 7-10 days to rehabilitate the grass after each football game, which I've said seems like an unnecessarily broad assumption. Not to be argumentative, Ron, but you haven't addressed why you think such a time frame is necessary.

[Gill The Thrill]

In 2004 when the Blue Jays still played on Astroturf, the Argos had their own field turf that was used for their games. I guess my thinking isn't whether or not you can use a removable field turf surface, but rather would it be an issue being on top of grass, or must the surface below the field turf be more of a harder surface (like concrete). Would a soft grass below the turf be an issue as far a stability is concerned, making it dangerous?

I don't think it would be dangerous, as most Field turf fields that have replaced natural grass fields in community stadiums and high school stadiums do not have a hard concrete surface underneath like the dome does. The only way it could be dangerous is if the field is really off level, but most fields in North America regardless of surface were built concave with a crowned middle so that water runoff after heavy rainfalls would drain toward the sidelines and not puddle in the centre of the field. This differs from many soccer stadiums in Europe, and probably BMO which were built entirely level and flat so that a soccer ball nicely placed toward the flanks with a soft touch can stay in play and not carry on out of play as it would in a field/pitch that is slightly concave as is a traditional North American Gridiron field.

[Mulder]

For example if the field maintenance costs triple with the Argos being a tenant at BMO Field I highly doubt MLSE will split the cost 50/50. I'm sure the Argos will be on the hook for 2/3 of the cost if MLSE doesn't own them.

Sorry, I forgot that even though MLS soccer would use the surface 2 times more, the players also magically float above the surface not causing any damage. Infact, the only reason why the grass has to be cut is because the Soccer ball causes a growth spurt in the grass because it's so magical.