Argos at BMO Field

[Neely2005]

I agree. why invest that kind of scratch into a diveball stadium u will b a second class citizen in.

I'm not a fan of the location or the stadium itself for BMO Field but I don't see any realistic alternative.

Hopefully the renovations will greatly improve the stadium.

[Argo57]

Agreed.
Unless the team is purchased by MLSE, the Argos would again play second fiddle to an inferior team and league.
Meaning, the concessions and likely other in stadium revenues would evaporate as well.
That's why there has to be a plan B, might as well look at York to see how much it may cost to retrofit.
Since it is a University it would be easier to access hopefully grants through various levels.
I know more taxpayer dollars here!

Unfortunately beggars can't be choosers!

[doubleblue]

Yes, they are.

I think the ship has sailed Argos a York. There is also no parking unless they were to open up the Students parking lots for Argo games, and it still wouldn't be enough IMO. At training camp it wasn't much fun trying to find a place to park which I finally did for $10.
Brian Cooper on with McCown last week didn't rule out something still getting done at U of T. McCown said something to the fact that wouldn't happen and Cooper said "things change". He seemed to know something of what is going on behind the scenes. But all signs point to the Argos at BMO somehow, but Cooper seemed to think there could be other options. Of course one of those options wouldn't include the guy that is running for Mayor in Mississauga.

[paulwoods13]

Dipping back in here briefly after some time away. I see Invader's "yeah but we can always have government build us a stadium" campaign continues apace.

[argotom]

Dipping back in here briefly after some time away. I see Invader's "yeah but we can always have government build us a stadium" campaign continues apace.

How different is this than what happened with BMO?
Also and here is the rub, if any Canadian institution and they seem to be disappearing quickly before our eyes, surely the Argos and the CFL a truly all Canadian league deserve it.
I will allow my taxpayers share to go towards it.

[argolio]

How different is this than what happened with BMO?
Also and here is the rub, if any Canadian institution and they seem to be disappearing quickly before our eyes, surely the Argos and the CFL a truly all Canadian league deserve it.
I will allow my taxpayers share to go towards it.

Good luck finding money for a $100+ million stadium. Harper doesn't want to contribute to pro sports stadiums, Ford whined about the current BMO funding, and Wynne is dealing with a huge deficit.

It's possible Harper and Ford will both be out of office a year from now, but that wouldn't guarantee anything, and it may be too late anyway.

[argotom]

Good luck finding money for a $100+ million stadium. Harper doesn't want to contribute to pro sports stadiums, Ford whined about the current BMO funding, and Wynne is dealing with a huge deficit.

It's possible Harper and Ford will both be out of office a year from now, but that wouldn't guarantee anything, and it may be too late anyway.

That's why if its tied in to the York U, just like the U of Manitoba and the Bombers team up, there are supposed funds available from various levels from what I understand.

[ArgoRavi]

That's why if its tied in to the York U, just like the U of Manitoba and the Bombers team up, there are supposed funds available from various levels from what I understand.

Ontario is not Manitoba or B.C. though. There is simply not hundreds of millions or even tens of millions of taxpayer dollars that will be spent on a CFL stadium in the GTA, no matter how deserving some may feel that the Argos would be of such a handout. It really is BMO Field or bust.

[T-Bone]

That's why if its tied in to the York U, just like the U of Manitoba and the Bombers team up, there are supposed funds available from various levels from what I understand.

When the York Pan Am Stadium project started the Argos stadium situation was already known. Why were the Argos not included from day one if it makes so much sense for them to be there?

[Double Dare]

Harper doesn't want to contribute to pro sports stadiums,

I work for the federal government, and believe me, Harper will NEVER put out any money (especially at this moment in time) for a stadium.
As for history (the Argos as a Canadian institution), he really doesn't care, ask Parks Canada, the CBC or the Canadian Heritage dept if he cares.
In the dept. I work for, he is not providing for people in need.

[Stouffvillain]

When the York Pan Am Stadium project started the Argos stadium situation was already known. Why were the Argos not included from day one if it makes so much sense for them to be there?

That comes down to ownership. Hamilton ownership moved on the government money coming in for the games to get something that they otherwise wouldn't have got. Argos ownership did not, simple as that.

[Invader]

That comes down to ownership. Hamilton ownership moved on the government money coming in for the games to get something that they otherwise wouldn't have got. Argos ownership did not, simple as that.

York stadium looks like it was designed so it could be used for nothing else but track & field...so that ship has probably sailed. I believe the federal guidelines call for only one free pro-football stadium per 2-week soccer tournament...and Hamilton grabbed the brass ring with the Pan-Parapan Games, while TFC got the spoils from the youth soccer tourney. But now the soccer cupboard is bare?

Heritage Canada does give away billions every year for Canada's culture, including Rogers Media which received $22 million in federal subsidies in 2012 alone (adding to Rogers $12,400,000,000 in revenues that year.) Rogers has earmarked $250,000,000 to install grass at Skydome, lost $50 million on the failed NFL in Toronto series and will likely lose billions on their ridiculous NHL overbid. (TFC will reportedly lose money this year with the BJ's losing $300,000,000 in their first 8 years of Rogers ownership). But MLSE won't spend $20M to renovate BMO to accommodate Toronto's football team (money which would be paid back over the term of the first lease?)

At least MLSE did their little bit to help promote their potential BMO tenant in the media event this week: Phase 3: T.B.A (So you're saying there is a chance?)

[T-Bone]

York stadium looks like it was designed so it could be used for nothing else but track & field...so that ship has probably sailed.

It would probably make more sense to upgrade the football field they already have at York than trying to renovate a stadium designed for track and field to accommodate football. It would still cost more than $20 million though.

MLSE won't spend $20M to renovate BMO to accommodate Toronto's football team (money which would be paid back over the term of the first lease?)

They are already spending $90 million of their own money on the BMO Field renovation. That is not a small chunk of change.

At least MLSE did their little bit to help promote their potential BMO tenant in the media event this week: Phase 3: T.B.A (So you're saying there is a chance?)

I assume you are referring to my post. I added that, MLSE did not mention Phase 3 as far as I know.

[argotom]

I still can't believe MLSE is ponying up any money for the renos?

[argolio]

I still can't believe MLSE is ponying up any money for the renos?

Believe it. They also want to stage outdoor hockey games, where they'll make a killing.

[T-Bone]

I still can't believe MLSE is ponying up any money for the renos?

I'm pretty sure Leiweke had a lot to do with this. I think he was steering MLSE in the right direction. With him leaving I am conserned MLSE might revert to the old status quo.

Believe it. They also want to stage outdoor hockey games, where they'll make a killing.

Defiantly a big factor in the equation.

[argotom]

I'm pretty sure Leiweke had a lot to do with this. I think he was steering MLSE in the right direction. With him leaving I am conserned MLSE might revert to the old status quo.

Defiantly a big factor in the equation.

For one winter game and maybe in a decade?
It's cheaper to bring in temp stands outside to the existing BMO?

[T-Bone]

For one winter game and maybe in a decade?
It's cheaper to bring in temp stands outside to the existing BMO?

I won't be surprised if it becomes an annual event.

[paulwoods13]

surely the Argos and the CFL a truly all Canadian league deserve it.
I will allow my taxpayers share to go towards it.

That's generous of you. FMI, are you also generously donating my tax dollars to this as well?

[AngeloV]

That's generous of you. FMI, are you also generously donating my tax dollars to this as well?

Come on Paul...It is your duty to allow this to happen.