Argos at BMO Field

[ArgoFan1]

Actually, it is a major league baseball rule that says outside food can be taken into baseball games, and so you can do that for Jays games. I doubt they would allow any for the Argonaut games.

[Ron]

Nice angle to push expansion along.

there is some urgency to finalize them and seek approval from the Board and City Council so that the expansion of seats in BMO Field can be completed in advance of the PanAm Games.

Actually, it is a major league baseball rule that says outside food can be taken into baseball games, and so you can do that for Jays games. I doubt they would allow any for the Argonaut games.

It's a Skydome rule. Brought outside food in all last season to Argo games. Didn't hide it and made sure the security saw all I had. No problemo.

[Neely2005]

Actually, it is a major league baseball rule that says outside food can be taken into baseball games, and so you can do that for Jays games. I doubt they would allow any for the Argonaut games.

We brought food into every Argonauts game at Rogers Centre last season. We didn't hide it, security saw it, No problems whatsoever. The rule is right on the Rogers Centre website:

"Can I bring food to the event?
ARAMARK, Rogers Centre's concessionaire, has put together menus that appeal to all tastes. Rogers Centre does allow guests to bring food in as long as the items are wrapped, bagged or left inside a container to avoid spillage. Cans, glass bottles, aluminum/steel water bottles or drinks larger than 600 ml are not permitted."

http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/faq.jsp

[argos1873]

We brought food into every Argonauts game at Rogers Centre last season. We didn't hide it, security saw it, No problems whatsoever. The rule is right on the Rogers Centre website:

We brought food and drink and purposely showed what we brought to security at most games we've attended over the last few years. You definetly can bring in outside food as long as its in their criteria which is fairly liberal considering. Makes my game day a little less pricey even though we still usually buy a thing or 2 from consessions.

[Mulder]

FYI.

http://mikelayton.ca/proposed-bmo-field-expansion

Details and how to RVSP to the meeting are there.

You'll probably see alot of TFC Fans there voicing their opposition against of a move at all. In my opinion this is already a done deal and if they go in with that attitude they'll probably just be ignored.

They need to go into it with an attitude on how to make it work for both and remember it's a public owned facility. (Not "Their" Stadium)

[Neely2005]

http://www.explace.on.ca/database/rt...0Expansion.pdf

Given the possible timing issues, Councillor Layton and I have discussed holding a meeting of
the Exhibition Place Community Liaison Committee in order to get input from the public and
hear the concerns of the public. Councillor Layton, Chair of the Community Liaison Committee
is proposing a meeting on March 5, 2014 at 7:00 pm at Exhibition Place. Any issues raised by
the community can then be reported to the meetings of both the Board and City Council on this
matter and fed into the design and planning approval process undertaken by MLSE and City
Planning.

Contact:
Councillor Mark Grimes
Tel: 416-397-9273
Fax: 416-397-9279
E-mail:

councillor_grimes@toronto.ca


If you can't attend, make sure you email the councillor your support for the move to BMO.
Surely there will be a bunch of TFC fans there to voice their anti-argo opinion & how it's their stadium.

And by the sounds of this too, it's pretty much a done deal. They want information about the design process & planning and not about an Anti-Argo campaign.

I Emailed them both. If anyone is looking for Layton's Email address this is it:

councillor_layton@toronto.ca

[Neely2005]

I Emailed them both. If anyone is looking for Layton's Email address this is it:

councillor_layton@toronto.ca

I received a response from one of them:


Thank you for this feedback. I will be certain to keep this in mind. For my records, might you be able to share your address with me?

Yours,

Mike


Councillor Mike Layton
Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina
Phone: 416 392 4009
Fax:416 392 4100

If you have scheduled a meeting with anyone in Councillor Layton's Office, you may be required to register as a Lobbyist. The City of Toronto's definition of lobbying is quite broad. You are advised to check for more information online http://www.toronto.ca/lobbying/ or phone (416) 338-5858.

[Mulder]

I received a response from one of them:


Thank you for this feedback. I will be certain to keep this in mind. For my records, might you be able to share your address with me?

Yours,

Mike


Councillor Mike Layton
Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina
Phone: 416 392 4009
Fax:416 392 4100

If you have scheduled a meeting with anyone in Councillor Layton's Office, you may be required to register as a Lobbyist. The City of Toronto's definition of lobbying is quite broad. You are advised to check for more information online http://www.toronto.ca/lobbying/ or phone (416) 338-5858.

I think BMO field is in his ward. Hence he wants to make sure people who are commenting are actually City of Toronto taxpayers.

[T-Bone]

City, MLSE close on BMO Field expansion: Councillor

[Neely2005]

City, MLSE close on BMO Field expansion: Councillor

"The expansion would add around 10,000 seats to the more than 20,000-seat stadium, extend the length of the field and add a partial roof."

So over 31,000 permanent seats, at least for TFC / Soccer.

[rdavies]

Plans for BMO from public meeting

Argo capacity 25,000

[BATKINSON001]

Thanks for the pics.

[rdavies]

- Open design to let grass grow
- Hybrid grass system at BMO
- EPL experience at BMO with roof
- Adding video boards to BMO and special events like Winter Classic, MLS Cup. World Cup, Grey Cup other large events
- From 21000 to 30000 in first phase to accommodate Argos
- Very early on design for roof
- Bob Hunter on the floor. Argos done deal at BMO
- First phase of construction in time for Pan AM Games and Rugby
- Private sector majority of cost

[rdavies]

Below is my opinion, not an official announcement. If they are not playing on this specific brand it will be similar.

Argos likely will be playing on this
Desso GrassMaster hybrid grass at Wembley Stadium

Concourse and east stands should be done by May 1st, 2015; 2nd phase done by May 1st, 2016; shovels in the ground after labour day/cne

— Michael Przybyłowski (@prizby) March 6, 2014

[Invader]

Plans for BMO from public meeting

Argo capacity 25,000

Thanks for posting the pics rdavies! Frankly I find the stadium a bit underwhelming. It's basically the same except for an upper deck added to the east grandstand and the endzone seating removed for the Argos. Hopefully the concourse and amenities will be upgraded also.

At least the 25,000 seats are on the sidelines, which is comparable to many other CFL stadiums.

I would have preferred a higher-end stadium experience for the Toronto fans, kind-of a Camden Yards of the CFL, intimate but classy. The $120-million Tim Hortons Field seems a fair bit classier than BMO will be. Hamilton's stadium will have the widest seats in the league, large concourses with state-of-the-art services and HDTV, as well as Ticat offices, stores and training facilities, ect.

The proposed BMO roof seems to start about 5 yards into the endzone. I hope it wouldn't interfere with the ball in flight? I also wonder where they will put the soccer endzone grandstands? There doesn't seem enough room to "retract" them and still be inside the property boundaries?

[rdavies]

Could this be in the Argo's future.

Interesting to note that the head groundskeeper of Wembley says that football (he means soccer) is the hardest on the pitch (harder than NA football), especially warmups and goalkeepers who feel they have to practice in front of the goal on the pitch instead of another area.

The digging in and turning (soccer) is the hardest on the pitch and Desso holds up well to Canadian/American football. Paint removal is an issue killing grass.

One thing in Toronto's favour is that unlike England they don't play through the winter where maintenance, ie lack of sun, cold temperatures are issues complicating upkeep.

[paulwoods13]

I think that stadium reno looks great. All CFL seats on the sidelines and the vast majority between the goal-lines. And it looks as if all permanent seats will have a roof. Looks to me like a nicer and more comfortable version of Ivor Wynne, except with the stands farther back from the sidelines to accommodate soccer's width. Let's get 'er done, council, MLSE and Argos!

[mac_davy]

Cohon must be beside himself right now. He's got a new TV contract, three new stadiums coming and a new team in Ontario, a new stadium in Manitoba, one planned in Saskatchewan, a rebuild in BC. a large sporting empire in MLSE about to become a partner, the Bills series gone and with it NFL expansion will be dead for at least a decade or longer, and rogers out of he NFL game for years if ever again, And some moves for an Atlantic team in the works, Id be cracking the champagne tonight.

[hugoagogo]

It would appear, based on the design, their "special event" 40,000 capacity wouldn't work for the Grey Cup or any other CFL game as the retractable seating would need to be removed for the CFL field.

[Neely2005]

So now it's only 25,000 seats for the Argonauts. That's 5000 seats to small in my opinion. It also means that ticket prices will begin a steady increase for sure.

It would appear, based on the design, their "special event" 40,000 capacity wouldn't work for the Grey Cup or any other CFL game as the retractable seating would need to be removed for the CFL field.

Maybe Grey Cups will still have to be held at the Rogers Centre? Which isn't necessarily a bad thing in November.