Will MLSE continue to develop Don Bosco as Argos Training Facility

[cfl-cis fan]

Do you think MLSE will continue with the development of Don Bosco as the Argos training facility etc.

[Scooter McCray]

My hope is that MLSE invests in the Argos as they have with their other teams. This should be a place players want to be and if they go onto the NFL they have nothing but good things to say and are brand ambassadors for the team and league. Now whether that is at Don Bosco or somewhere else doesn't matter. MLSE should look at best in class organizations in sports and think that's where we need to be. They are probably close to that already with their 3 other teams. The Argos need to be brought up to that level as quickly as possible.

[ArgoGabe22]

I read somewhere that the Argos address for football operations had been changed from Downsview to Don Bosco.

[Will]

Good!

Butler was definitely right about that aspect of the Argos organization.

[R.J]

Temp solution yet again. I wonder how long MLSE will wait for Ryerson ?

[Mightygoose]

Have they signed a long term lease yet? My understanding it's supposed to be done early in the off season.

[SkalbaniasGhost]

This is the most critical question for the Argos organization under MLSE ownership. If the plan is to continue at
Don Bosco (paint job/bolt on /don't mind the mess).Then they don't care. Remember The CFL/Argos are a media
property under there control. Like a rerun of "I Love Lucy", they don't have to put much effort in
to extract a profit from it or help with tax purposes. Bell and Rogers have the resources to do this.

If you want to grow the game(as I have heard) then build a facility with 2 outdoor fields and an indoor fieldhouse dedicated
to Football to host 7/7 passing tournaments, flag football, passing camps with proper field markings for year round use.How
many times do we hear the game is dying in the metro area?.Not having a year round dedicated space that can reinforce the
brand would do wonders for the Argos/CFL/Football Ontario.

What TFC has gotten.


http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ClBbnvAvM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryDDTA-nqbM

The use of the term "World Class" is expected with TFC fans. Are Argos fans the same?

The answer will come at the town hall.

[paulwoods13]

This is the most critical question for the Argos organization under MLSE ownership. If the plan is to continue at
Don Bosco (paint job/bolt on /don't mind the mess).Then they don't care.

If the field is replaced, Bosco could be a pretty good facility. It has tons of space to accommodate meeting rooms, position rooms, weight rooms, etc. The field is in terrible condition, but if the org were to invest in putting down good turf, there's no reason Bosco couldn't become everything they need.

[R.J]

If the field is replaced, Bosco could be a pretty good facility. It has tons of space to accommodate meeting rooms, position rooms, weight rooms, etc. The field is in terrible condition, but if the org were to invest in putting down good turf, there's no reason Bosco couldn't become everything they need.

They still need to invest quite a bit, as I wouldn't exactly call Bosco "a pretty good facility". There's space to develop without question, but as it stands, the Argos currently have the worst practice facility situation.

[paulwoods13]

They still need to invest quite a bit, as I wouldn't exactly call Bosco "a pretty good facility". There's space to develop without question, but as it stands, the Argos currently have the worst practice facility situation.

Leaving the field aside, how would we know whether it's the worst facility in the league? Pretty confident it's not as good as Sask's, but how does it compare to others'? Probably worse on some aspects, possibly better on others. I've actually been inside the building, and it looked pretty good to my untrained eyes.

[Shatto]

Ontario secondary schools are built to a fairly demanding standard. There may not be much luxury built in but structurally they are very sound facilities. School boards seldom if ever sell a school building, as the provincial grant money has to be returned to the province, leaving practically nothing for the board itself. The board has also to abide by the municipal zoning, so they may be limited to how the buildings can be utilized. Boards try to lease/rent out closed schools, as those monies stay with the boards. This is an over simplification of the situation for the boards but it is basically how boards manage closed schools.

For MLSE to buy land in Toronto and then build a brand new football facility would be an exorbitant cost, whereas extensive modifications to Don Bosco could enable the team to have an excellent facility. Changing the field to an all weather surface, adding a smaller permanent bubble for inclement weather, modifying and enlarging the office space, changing classrooms into meeting rooms, modifying the gym area into a change rooms and work out rooms and several other renovations the team might require, could be acquire the team, a very good football facility

However, since the building would still be owned by the board, it would be necessary to negotiate a long term lease (10-15 years) to make it a feasible situation for MLSE. Boards have departments that have experience and expertise in leasing of facilities. Before amalgamation, one of the local boards rented out more space, than is in the Toronto Dominion Centre.

It depends how MLSE wish to play this. They can go on the cheap and use the school basically as it is, or they can do it right and put in several millions ( maybe up to 30 million) and have a facility the team can be proud of. We shall see.

[Topshelf]

Toronto land is at such a premium that the only real location would be a school, or an expansion/argos specific area of downsview.
obviously downsview had some issues in the past, but now that we are under the MLSE roof, perhaps we could work out a better situation.

Don Bosco could work, this team has lacked a professional training area for far too long. Any type of permanent solution would be an upgrade over what we have had in the past. If ownership keeps treating the team as semi-pro, the media and "fans" will as well.

[Treblecharger1]

MLSE has had incredible success with MLSE Launch Pad in the East End of the city. It would not surprise me if they use Don Bosco as both the Argonauts Practice Facility along with a community space like the space they have here in East Downtown Toronto for the West End.

[Scooter McCray]

I think the only other team that has poor facilities is Montreal. Ottawa, Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg use their stadiums as practice fields. Edmonton, BC and Regina have decent to world class facilities outside of their stadiums.

[rdavies]

I think the only other team that has poor facilities is Montreal

Ditch the school buses, charter private flights: How the Montreal Alouettes are becoming a 'first-class' franchise
Herb Zurkowsky Postmedia Network July 12, 2017

As part of his agreement with Olympic Stadium, a new training and weight room to be used exclusively by the players is being created. Immediate improvements will be made to the locker room and other training rooms. A new production studio will also be created, allowing for the processing and distribution of exclusive social media content for the team.

New three-year partnership between Parc olympique and the Alouettes
Montrealalouettes.com July 3, 2017

This renewal will allow the team to practice on an artificial turf inside Olympic Stadium every week. Furthermore, with the collaboration of the Montreal Impact, the team will also be able to practice on the outdoor field located between Olympic Stadium and Saputo Stadium, which belongs to the soccer club, when the main area will be used for other events such as a concert or an exposition.

[Scooter McCray]

Okay. So we do have the worst practice facilities by a Canadian country mile. It really is amazing they are the most successful team this decade. The only team to win 2 grey cups since 2010. Even more impressive they have not lost a Grey Cup since 1987. They have won the last 6 they have played in as their status in Toronto declined and have been given the second class treatment wherever they have played.

[rdavies]

Okay. So we do have the worst practice facilities by a Canadian country mile.

I have no idea how you are able to make that judgment and also that of another poster about it being a "temp" facility. Is the building being torn down sometime soon?

[Scooter McCray]

I have no idea how you are able to make that judgment and also that of another poster about it being a "temp" facility. Is the building being torn down sometime soon?

You're kidding right? Another poster listed where all of the other teams practice. They all practice at their home stadiums or have designated practice facilities such as fieldhouses like in Edmonton. The Argonauts are the only team which practice in a shuttered high school. So yeah, I'm going out on a limb and saying they have the worst facilities of any team in the CFL. And don't think this stuff doesn't matter. If you were an American player coming from a big US college program what would your first impression of the league and team be when you practice for the first time at Don Bosco? And now how about a Canadian player who already knows the standard of living is higher in Toronto, and you get little coverage/fan interest, and you get to practice at facilities like you had in high school. Are you going to put Toronto at the top of your list to come and play.

And I say all of this knowing that good players do come here and they have won championships here practicing in the worst conditions in the league. 2012 was even worse than 2017. It is a testament to the character of the players coming here and the coaching to block this nonsense out.

Having said all of that. Enough is enough. The team have owners who can change all of this and I hope that they do because retention of talent is important. They are doing themselves no favors maintaining the status quo.

[rdavies]

You're kidding right? Another poster listed where all of the other teams practice. They all practice at their home stadiums or have designated practice facilities such as fieldhouses like in Edmonton. The Argonauts are the only team which practice in a shuttered high school.

So, apparently there are no contractors in Toronto that can tear down a few walls, add a drop ceiling, tile a floor, or install an outdoor field artificial or turf?

And, apparently MLSE has lost the phone number or website address of any companies that are able to supply professional gym equipment?

[R.J]

I have no idea how you are able to make that judgment and also that of another poster about it being a "temp" facility. Is the building being torn down sometime soon?

Have you ever been to any CFL teams practice facility ?