Bill Manning Named New Argos President

[Flutie]

TFC fans seem to be able to do it though.

and the Jays fans seem to suffer through a lot of afternoon games in the summer in the sun with the roof open.

Manning is talking about adding 5,000 seats to BMO for TFC. I wonder if that means an upper deck on the west side.

[BATKINSON001]

and the Jays fans seem to suffer through a lot of afternoon games in the summer in the sun with the roof open.

Manning is talking about adding 5,000 seats to BMO for TFC. I wonder if that means an upper deck on the west side.

as far as I know, he is referring to keeping the temp seats under the scoreboard

[paulwoods13]

and the Jays fans seem to suffer through a lot of afternoon games in the summer in the sun with the roof open.

Yes, and IMO it is insane to sit and bake in the sun and humidity for three hours. I've done it, and won't ever do it again. So glad my Argos seats are on the west side.

[AngeloV]

Yes, and IMO it is insane to sit and bake in the sun and humidity for three hours. I've done it, and won't ever do it again. So glad my Argos seats are on the west side.

I love the heat. I would love to sit in Sun all day. The reason I chose the west side is because my eyes are very sensitive to sun, and I didn't want to look into the sun while watching a game. Sun glasses only help so much.

[shayman]

I wish they could have done something in the most recent renovations to make for a little more shade on the east side. Every game I curse the gap between the roof and the top of the west side seats; for an hour or so as the sun sets, it screams through there right into your eyes at exactly the right angle for max irritation. Would be a great spot for a giant shade-producing opaque ARGOS banner :-)

[S.A.C.]

... Don't they use the same concessions as the ones in the lower bowl west? There would be little to no savings to shut that down completely.

I suppose sections that were closed off do not have to be swept after a game, but otherwise it's almost entirely about optics and not about cost savings. I don't think it really makes much difference, and like others here I prefer the view from the upper level, but they seem to think it just looks better to have the crowd "consolidated" as opposed to being scattered around the whole stadium with a few people in each section.
http://nationalpostcom.files.wordpre...s-stinson.jpeg
Also, when everyone knows they can just buy the cheapest ticket and then sit anywhere they want to, many will do that instead of paying for the more expensive seat.

[R.J]

It looks as though the entire Upper East stands will be tarped up, as I went to check some seat availability and those stands are all red now. It is what it is, but I initially hope with the move to BMO that those days would be gone, but 2016-2017 showed they weren't. Here's to hoping the MLSE machine can right the ship within the next 5 years.

[Will]

It looks as though the entire Upper West stands will be tarped up, as I went to check some seat availability and those stands are all red now. It is what it is, but I initially hope with the move to BMO that those days would be gone, but 2016-2017 showed they weren't. Here's to hoping the MLSE machine can right the ship within the next 5 years.

Well given that my seats are on the upper west side I expect to be contacted by the Argos shortly for this fact to be communicated. I assume that the Argos will be forced to relocate us at no added expense to the season ticket holder.

[R.J]

Well given that my seats are on the upper west side I expect to be contacted by the Argos shortly for this fact to be communicated. I assume that the Argos will be forced to relocate us at no added expense to the season ticket holder.

Oops, meant EAST side. Sorry.

[Scooter McCray]

Why would they force people to sit on the east side and bake? They have a hundred other things to do before they waste time and money tarping a 27000 seat stadium. If this is true very disappointed.

[R.J]

Why would they force people to sit on the east side and bake? They have a hundred other things to do before they waste time and money tarping a 27000 seat stadium. If this is true very disappointed.

Argos average is around what ? 14-16,000. They offered group rates and $15 seats for the Upper East stands, barely saw a bump. Wasting a lot more time and money trying to sell those seats than it would be to tarp them up.

[smokeslet'sgo]

Argos average is around what ? 14-16,000. They offered group rates and $15 seats for the Upper East stands, barely saw a bump. Wasting a lot more time and money trying to sell those seats than it would be to tarp them up.

I'm not sure who pays them, but tarping the seats also cuts out a lot of labor like concessions, cleaning, ushers etc. That's usually a main reason for tarping. They'll prevent anyone from even entering the concourse if it is tarped up there. It's great getting a whole concession stand or bathroom to yourself when there's a light crowd but it doesn't do much for the bottom line of whoever pays to keep this stuff operating.

[Mightygoose]

Argos average is around what ? 14-16,000. They offered group rates and $15 seats for the Upper East stands, barely saw a bump. Wasting a lot more time and money trying to sell those seats than it would be to tarp them up.

If they are tarping, then the upper east side is the only place they can really do. Last year they were only selling the first 5 rows so there can't be that many to move over.

On the seat map (not the select your seat page) still shows it as group section so I'm curious to see how the map looks once singles go on sale and if they will still try promos. The Doug Flutie and CANE games sold well in this part.

Granted if the upper east is gone for this season, then it may make sense for the first year under MLSE. TFC did not have an upper east side to sell (or tarp off).

[R.J]

If they are tarping, then the upper east side is the only place they can really do. Last year they were only selling the first 5 rows so there can't be that many to move over.

On the seat map (not the select your seat page) still shows it as group section so I'm curious to see how the map looks once singles go on sale and if they will still try promos. The Doug Flutie and CANE games sold well in this part.

Granted if the upper east is gone for this season, then it may make sense for the first year under MLSE. TFC did not have an upper east side to sell (or tarp off).

What's even more concerning is MLSE contemplating more expansion for BMO - TFC doesn't sell out as is, and the Argos are selling just over half, not a good idea to expand IMO. IIRC it's the West stands that would see a renovation along with expansion.

[Mightygoose]

What's even more concerning is MLSE contemplating more expansion for BMO - TFC doesn't sell out as is, and the Argos are selling just over half, not a good idea to expand IMO. IIRC it's the West stands that would see a renovation along with expansion.

I agree. Even the city is only thinking adding temporary for the World Cup.

For TFC, they sell well but they should wait until their contender window is done and see what the demand is before adding more seats.

Looking at the Jay's map after they released single game tickets on Thursday. Still thousands of tickets available for both the home opener and on Canada Day. Previous years they would sell out in hours. Even most mid week games have the 500 outfield greyed out which wasn't the case the past 2-3 years.

It shows the bandwagon can empty pretty quick for any team not named the Leafs here.

[Shatto]

Not really a fan of tarping off part of the stadium. It signals an expected failure of increasing the attendance, in the short run. Would have expected more unique and imaginative plans to increase attendance rather than just camourflaging the problem. If this is the type of creative thinking that Manning is bringing to the issue, then I'm very disappointed in his approach. Perhaps, I am being too harsh and it may be too early to judge Manning and he may have some very creative and eventually successful plans up his sleeve but so far he isn't impressing.

[AngeloV]

Not really a fan of tarping off part of the stadium. It signals an expected failure of increasing the attendance, in the short run. Would have expected more unique and imaginative plans to increase attendance rather than just camourflaging the problem. If this is the type of creative thinking that Manning is bringing to the issue, then I'm very disappointed in his approach. Perhaps, I am being too harsh and it may be too early to judge Manning and he may have some very creative and eventually successful plans up his sleeve but so far he isn't impressing.

I'm with you on this Shatto. Having said that, I have also heard that it's been denied in some circles that the Argos are going to tarp off any part of the stadium, and it was just a "thinking out loud" thing that Manning was doing.

[jerrym]

I particularly don't like the idea of tarping off part of the stadium after a very successful season that ended in winning the Grey Cup and a spike in attendance in the playoff game to 24,929. Finally, some good news after years of problems and the Argos start thinking negatively before the season even begins. Hopefully, you're right Angelo that this is just thinking out loud.

[Argofan_1000]

I particularly don't like the idea of tarping off part of the stadium after a very successful season that ended in winning the Grey Cup and a spike in attendance in the playoff game to 24,929. Finally, some good news after years of problems and the Argos start thinking negatively before the season even begins. Hopefully, you're right Angelo that this is just thinking out loud.

I wouldn't do it either. I might restrict sales but would tarp anything off

[Scooter McCray]

As a fan the message tarping sends is a negative one. He just takes over early in the off-season and before he has even tried anything to sell a ticket following a championship season his idea is to tarp seats. That tells me he has no ideas or if he does has no plans to impliment them this season. To me isn't tarping the last thing you would do after exhausting all of your ideas to fill the place?