Do the Argos owe the SkyDome era a send-off?

**Gill The Thrill** · 08-11-2015, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by T-Bone

Rumour has it the 2016 Grey Cup will be at BMO Field.

Is it not already confirmed for Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton. I thought this was a promise made to Bob Young and the city once old Ivor Wynne was torn down and rebuilt as Tim Hortons Field. Would that not make more sense since it is completed. Perhaps even for 2017 if not 2016. Remember TD Place in Ottawa is also slated to host a Grey Cup game. These are 2 completely new or renovated stadiums that are prepared to go where as BMO construction has not even started yet, as far as making those moveable stands. In the construction industry, you never know what delays could occur?

My bet is Ottawa or Hamilton for next year, if it has not already been announced.

With expectations of Eastern teams moving to or refurbishing stadiums with less capacity, does this mean that will never see a Grey Cup with 50,000 fans in the east unless it's in the big O in Montreal. Maybe not even 40k. I really think that once the Argos finish playing their last game at Skydome, there will never be another Canadian Football game at any level played there. I think rogers will be gutting the entire 100 level removing the track that rotated the seats and making a permanent baseball venue with club seats in the 100 level as well as install grass, so you can probably forget about any Grey Cups or Vanier Cups ever being played there again.

**Will** · 08-11-2015, 02:36 PM

Ottawa is likely going to host the 2017 Grey Cup because it is the 150th anniversary of confederation.

**AngeloV** · 08-11-2015, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gill The Thrill

Is it not already confirmed for Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton. I thought this was a promise made to Bob Young and the city once old Ivor Wynne was torn down and rebuilt as Tim Hortons Field. Would that not make more sense since it is completed. Perhaps even for 2017 if not 2016. Remember TD Place in Ottawa is also slated to host a Grey Cup game. These are 2 completely new or renovated stadiums that are prepared to go where as BMO construction has not even started yet, as far as making those moveable stands. In the construction industry, you never know what delays could occur?

My bet is Ottawa or Hamilton for next year, if it has not already been announced.

With expectations of Eastern teams moving to or refurbishing stadiums with less capacity, does this mean that will never see a Grey Cup with 50,000 fans in the east unless it's in the big O in Montreal. Maybe not even 40k. I really think that once the Argos finish playing their last game at Skydome, there will never be another Canadian Football game at any level played there. I think rogers will be gutting the entire 100 level removing the track that rotated the seats and making a permanent baseball venue with club seats in the 100 level as well as install grass, so you can probably forget about any Grey Cups or Vanier Cups ever being played there again.

I think Toronto getting 2016 was a deal closer when the sale to Bell and Tanenbaum happened.

**T-Bone** · 08-11-2015, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gill The Thrill

Is it not already confirmed for Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton.

There has been no official announcement as of yet.

Originally Posted by Gill The Thrill

With expectations of Eastern teams moving to or refurbishing stadiums with less capacity, does this mean that will never see a Grey Cup with 50,000 fans in the east unless it's in the big O in Montreal. Maybe not even 40k.

BMO Field is supposed to be expandable to 40k with temporary seating.

**Solar Max** · 08-11-2015, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by T-Bone

There has been no official announcement as of yet.

BMO Field is supposed to be expandable to 40k with temporary seating.

Similar in Ottawa and Hamilton, one would think, T?

**T-Bone** · 08-11-2015, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Solar Max

Similar in Ottawa and Hamilton, one would think, T?

Both Ottawa and Hamilton have space in the end zones that I believe can be used for temporary seating as well.

**Invader** · 08-12-2015, 01:12 AM

It was reported Mr. Braley was awarded one more Grey Cup as part of his Argo purchase agreement. Everyone expected that to be 2016 in Toronto. Leiweke was touting the Grey Cup along with the Winter Classic at BMO. It would make sense to share the cost as a 12,500-seat temporary grandstand (matching the total number of seats on either sideline) would cost upwards of $1 million to rent and construct. That would bring the total BMO capacity up to about 38,000.

One problem is an endzone grandstand for the CFL is hardly ideal for a hockey rink venue. There's also been very little buzz about Toronto's supposed Winter Classic? That could be a stumbling block. 2016 might also be too early for BMO to be expanded. The construction of the endzone and roof for the Argos would just be completed and all the kinks might not be worked out. Then the new endzone would have to be ripped out (or perhaps folded away like a Chinese fan) to accommodate the massive endzone grandstand?

It actually makes more sense to hold the Toronto Grey Cup at 54,000-seat RC...hopefully it won't be gutted by then?

The 2016 Grey Cup could also be played in Vancouver or Hamilton if Toronto's venues aren't available.

**ArgoRavi** · 08-12-2015, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by Invader

It was reported Mr. Braley was awarded one more Grey Cup as part of his Argo purchase agreement. Everyone expected that to be 2016 in Toronto. Leiweke was touting the Grey Cup along with the Winter Classic at BMO. It would make sense to share the cost as a 12,500-seat temporary grandstand (matching the total number of seats on either sideline) would cost upwards of $1 million to rent and construct. That would bring the total BMO capacity up to about 38,000.

One problem is an endzone grandstand for the CFL is hardly ideal for a hockey rink venue. There's also been very little buzz about Toronto's supposed Winter Classic? That could be a stumbling block. 2016 might also be too early for BMO to be expanded. The construction of the endzone and roof for the Argos would just be completed and all the kinks might not be worked out. Then the new endzone would have to be ripped out (or perhaps folded away like a Chinese fan) to accommodate the massive endzone grandstand?

It actually makes more sense to hold the Toronto Grey Cup at 54,000-seat RC...hopefully it won't be gutted by then?

The 2016 Grey Cup could also be played in Vancouver or Hamilton if Toronto's venues aren't available.

The last place that should get another Grey Cup so quickly is Vancouver. Interest was lukewarm towards the 2014 Grey Cup after they had just hosted in 2011. Time to move away from Vancouver for a little while at least.