Stadium Updates

[T-Bone]

Limited # of tickets to July 26 & 31 games at McMaster now available to general public.

Call 905-547-2287 or visit http://t.co/Lo7kSE3Zzv

— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) July 22, 2014

That's surprising.

[gilthethrill]

Ti-Cat fans who comment on Drew Edwards Scratching Post claim to have been talking to construction crew members who are working THF. They claim there is no way the stadium can be finished for Labour Day. Just an unfounded rumour I hope.

[argolio]

Ti-Cat fans who comment on Drew Edwards Scratching Post claim to have been talking to construction crew members who are working THF. They claim there is no way the stadium can be finished for Labour Day. Just an unfounded rumour I hope.

If it's true what they're saying about being at 85% right now, one would think they will get it done (or close enough) by Labour Day.

[ArgoRavi]

If it's true what they're saying about being at 85% right now, one would think they will get it done (or close enough) by Labour Day.

It has to be done by Labour Day - plain and simple - as there are no other options. It is a shame that the CFL has lost a game on the main ESPN network next week because THF was not completed in time and the league does not want a large American audience seeing Canadian professional football being played at a 5k seat stadium.

EDIT: An article was written in the Winnipeg Sun today about the ESPN deal: http://www.torontosun.com/2014/07/22...evision-growth

Here is what was written specifically about the game in Hamilton next week that was supposed to be on the main ESPN network:
OPPORTUNITY LOST
ESPN was going to show one CFL game on its main network this summer, but it has decided to push it back to ESPN3.
The contest was going to be Hamilton’s second home game at brand new Tim Hortons Field, on July 31 against Winnipeg, but the park isn’t ready yet, so the game is moving to McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium.
“Originally this game was scheduled to be on ESPN to showcase Hamilton’s new stadium,” ESPN said in a statement.
“But since the game has been moved to Ron Joyce Stadium, it will now be carried on ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network, ESPN3. ESPN will explore opportunities to feature Hamilton’s new stadium on one of its linear TV networks later on in the season.”

[Mulder]

It has to be done by Labour Day - plain and simple - as there are no other options. It is a shame that the CFL has lost a game on the main ESPN network next week because THF was not completed in time and the league does not want a large American audience seeing Canadian professional football being played at a 5k seat stadium.

2 things, It's in the construction workers best interests to keep this thing going. And Labour Day is a more than a month away. I have the feeling it'll be ready for it.

On the other hand, the whole Pan-Am situation is a mess, here we thought we could do it better because we are a G8 and this is Toronto. Blah blah.

The Velodrome, which is somehow still projected to open at the end of August, has 3 months of fireproofing work to be done still, and cannot be started yet because all the steel hasn't arrived!

[ArgoZ]

If it's true what they're saying about being at 85% right now, one would think they will get it done (or close enough) by Labour Day.

Closing out a job can take forever. A building can be 95% done, but until it meets the requirements for occupancy, you will not get that permit. 25 000 people are going to decend on this stadium. Imagine if some stairwells, emergency exits or washrooms, (which was the talk today), are not functional. Every exit sign, railing, sprinkler head, light fixture and etc, has to be in place and working. Every piece of construction material or equipment needs moved and secured. The stands and field may be ready to host a game, but I think it will be challenging to find someone to sign off on this thing and/or make completely safe.

[rdavies]

Tim Hortons Field Hamilton - August 2/2014

[BATKINSON001]

Nice. Looks almost ready to go.

[AngeloV]

Nice. Looks almost ready to go.

It better be. Ron Joyce stadium is not available on Labour Day as McMaster hosts Guelph at 1pm--same time the Argos play the Cats.

[gilthethrill]

It better be. Ron Joyce stadium is not available on Labour Day as McMaster hosts Guelph at 1pm--same time the Argos play the Cats.

I found this interesting but yet disturbing read on Yahoo Sports...

NDP MPP Paul Miller: “They’re still cutting reinforcing rod. They are doing that right in front of us that’s all the noise. My understanding is that a lot of the plumbing is not done the change rooms, that takes weeks of work and the electrical is huge the electronics for the scoreboard. Well the handrails it’s iron working and welding and that takes time. Usually the handrails are pre-fab they bring them in sections. I can’t give you a time limit on that because they haven’t even started them on the east stand.”
Miller should know. Before venturing into politics he worked in the trades as an industrial mechanic, welder and iron worker. And that’s why he says he is so puzzled about the reasons being given for the delay especially the weather.

Paul Miller: “Well this is Canada. We ran many steel plants for many decades and kept the machines going and plants running and they do have things called propane heaters they could have brought in to pre and post heat things they were working on whether it’s electrical or plumbing.

As of today the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are still advertising tickets for an August 16th game to be played at Tim Hortons Field. But Miller has doubts that can happen: “It’s not ready. It’s not going to be ready for August 16th and most likely I can’t say for sure it won’t be ready for Labour Day.”

We spoke with a representative from the company that is building the stadium. Ontario Sports Solutions said they are doing everything possible to meet their deadline obligations.
But that’s not what workers on the ground told me. One who did not want to go on camera said the site pretty much shuts down at five because the builder doesn’t want to pay overtime. He also said he doubts very much the field will be ready for the Labour Day Classic.

That's remarkable if work's shutting down at five, as OSS has publicly said they're doing double-shifts and working six days a week. Of course, the field is in a residential neighbourhood, so there may be noise restrictions at issue here rather than the costs of overtime, but that still doesn't seem positive. It's the chances of the stadium not being ready for Labour Day that are really problematic, though. The Labour Day Classic between the Ticats and Argos is one of the CFL's most famed games (even if it hasn't always been played in recent years), and it's a huge draw and money-maker for the team. If that can be their opener in the new stadium as well, it will really be a game to remember, but if that game also has to be moved, that will truly be a blow for the Ticats.

[ArgoRavi]

I found this interesting but yet disturbing read on Yahoo Sports...

NDP MPP Paul Miller: “They’re still cutting reinforcing rod. They are doing that right in front of us that’s all the noise. My understanding is that a lot of the plumbing is not done the change rooms, that takes weeks of work and the electrical is huge the electronics for the scoreboard. Well the handrails it’s iron working and welding and that takes time. Usually the handrails are pre-fab they bring them in sections. I can’t give you a time limit on that because they haven’t even started them on the east stand.”
Miller should know. Before venturing into politics he worked in the trades as an industrial mechanic, welder and iron worker. And that’s why he says he is so puzzled about the reasons being given for the delay especially the weather.

Paul Miller: “Well this is Canada. We ran many steel plants for many decades and kept the machines going and plants running and they do have things called propane heaters they could have brought in to pre and post heat things they were working on whether it’s electrical or plumbing.

As of today the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are still advertising tickets for an August 16th game to be played at Tim Hortons Field. But Miller has doubts that can happen: “It’s not ready. It’s not going to be ready for August 16th and most likely I can’t say for sure it won’t be ready for Labour Day.”

We spoke with a representative from the company that is building the stadium. Ontario Sports Solutions said they are doing everything possible to meet their deadline obligations.
But that’s not what workers on the ground told me. One who did not want to go on camera said the site pretty much shuts down at five because the builder doesn’t want to pay overtime. He also said he doubts very much the field will be ready for the Labour Day Classic.

That's remarkable if work's shutting down at five, as OSS has publicly said they're doing double-shifts and working six days a week. Of course, the field is in a residential neighbourhood, so there may be noise restrictions at issue here rather than the costs of overtime, but that still doesn't seem positive. It's the chances of the stadium not being ready for Labour Day that are really problematic, though. The Labour Day Classic between the Ticats and Argos is one of the CFL's most famed games (even if it hasn't always been played in recent years), and it's a huge draw and money-maker for the team. If that can be their opener in the new stadium as well, it will really be a game to remember, but if that game also has to be moved, that will truly be a blow for the Ticats.

Not only would the location of the game itself have to be changed but the day of the game also. They can't play at McMaster that day because the CIS team is playing on Labour Day at home.

[rdavies]

Hopes high Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Labour Day Classic a go at Tim Hortons Field
CHCH.com August 5, 2014

If you have tickets for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Labour Day Classic against the Toronto Argonauts you just may be able to use them this year. Then again – you may not.

The latest progress report comes from the chair of the Pan Am sub-committee, Lloyd Ferguson – a man who knows a thing or two about construction, having run Dufferin Construction in his previous life. Ferguson says he is somewhat optimistic that the Ticats will be playing at Tim Hortons Field on Labour Day, but by no means is it a sure thing.

There are just 27 days left before the annual Labour Day Classic – 27 days to finish a stadium that is still very much a work in progress. Virtually every part of this building has not been completed, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be ready – enough – to host a game on Labour Day.

Ferguson is looking on the bright side. “The good news is there are four things that look like they will be ready. One is the field will be ready; number two I think the lights will be working; number three the seats will be done. And number four what I saw in there today particularly on the west side is the washrooms are operational.”

What wont be ready are the offices, the air conditioning, and concession stands. Instead, food and beer will be served from temporary kiosks. But Ferguson says even then, the city will only allow the game to be played if health and safety inspectors say it is safe enough to do so.

“You know the fire safety issue is the big one with the fire department the health department and with our building department to make sure it’s safe to decommission as a construction site and take it up as a location where it can be occupied.”

“In my view it’s going to be a stretch.”

“I don’t want to mislead your viewers. There is a lot of work from what I saw in there today yet to be done.”

[rdavies]

A more recent update: Lloyd Ferguson talks about completion date for Tim Hortons Field

Quotes from Ferguson:
- He has complete access to site
- Field is ready, lines are done by city staff before the game
- Seats are ready
- West side washrooms are functioning, east side need fixtures, not a big job to bolt them on and hook them up so they should be ready
- Lights are up, not connected but won't be needed for first game (afternoon)

Areas that give him trouble:
-Forecourt (main entrance on Cannon street - lots of work to be done) will be fenced off but they tell him it will be fenced off to allow people to come in safely
- The key issue is to make the site life-ready (building dept has to certify it is safe) as does fire and health
- Concession stands will not be ready, health department will oversee temp provisional setup
- Fire department will make sure proper exits are in place
- He think the issues will be with handrails

- He says nobody is playing the blame game, they are focusing on how to get it ready
- To get a partial occupancy permit it will need a lot of work and creative solutions
- His best guess from walking through there is a 60-70% chance it will be ready

- Providing there is no trip hazard, the forecourt not being completed is no big deal. Can't be walking across gravel.

Bill Kelly talks about how it didn't seem to be reported that TD Place (Ottawa) wasn't completely ready for the first game. There were still construction areas that were fenced off and they didn't have snack bars and refreshment stands ready.

Ferguson reiterates that it has to be life ready and safe. The concession booth won't be open, air conditioning won't be working, lights probably won't be ready but it doesn't matter. It's a formal process to decommission a construction site and make it life ready for occupancy. They are applying for partial occupancy and expect the application to be on the desk by Monday to start inspections and try to get it ready.

Kelly talks about elevators being ready, Ferguson mentions getting one ready and hopefully a second, all the exit stairs have no railing yet and that has to be completed.

The main scoreboard has yet to be completed (and may not be ready) but the smaller community scoreboard is ready. He wants the next committee update (open to the public) to be held at the stadium.

He's not 100% sure but 60-70%.

Billy Kelly: Most of the work is being done inside
Ferguson: There is an army under the seats and the big push is mechanical, electrical done in the control rooms underneath the seats




Building blitz
Will it be ready? That’s the question on the minds of season’s ticket holders like John Morris, who went to Tim Hortons field Friday to see for himself if the stadium would be finished for the Labour Day Classic Sept. 1.
Matthew Van Dongen thespec.com Aug 15, 2014

The contractor building Hamilton's long-delayed football stadium is expected to apply for an occupancy permit as early as Monday.

But city officials say it could take anywhere from a few days to more than a week to earn a safety sign-off for public use of the $145-million facility.

That means it will be a race to have the new home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats "game ready" for Labour Day football.

"It could come down to the wire," said public works general manager Gerry Davis Friday. "We're still working to be game ready by Sept. 1. That's not completely finished, but it does mean safe and ready for use."

Samuel Gandossi, spokesperson for contractor Ontario Sports Solution, didn't return phone calls Friday. But Terence Foran of Infrastructure Ontario said the contractor maintains the stadium will be useable Sept. 1 and confirmed an occupancy application is expected next week.

In theory, Davis said the city's building department could issue a permit for occupancy or partial occupancy as late as Aug. 28; he hopes to know the game status by Aug. 25.

Ticats president Glenn Gibson told The Spectator Friday he was "optimistic" about the stadium being ready for Labour Day but added a clearer picture would emerge next week.

The team has said it needs five days of preparation after final permits are issued to allow use of the stadium.

Gibson said the team is "scenario planning" in case a plan B is needed, but McMaster University — the host for the past two home games — has said its field is not available for the game.

University of Guelph officials told The Spectator they would be open to hosting a game, while Western University officials refused to comment on the prospect.

Councillor Lloyd Ferguson, who recently toured the facility, said Friday it will be "a stretch" to get the stadium game ready by Labour Day.

"I don't want to mislead anyone about this. There is a lot of work left to do," he said after council Friday, giving about 60-70 per cent odds for a Sept. 1 stadium opener.

The chair of the city's Pan Am subcommittee said he'd like members to walk through the facility during their next meeting Aug. 26, but wasn't sure it would be possible.

The stadium has been plagued by delays since a late delivery of steel last fall. Horrible winter weather, combined with the loss of a major masonry subcontractor to bankruptcy, has left the contractor chronically behind schedule.

Provincial politicians started weighing in Friday, with NDP leader Andrea Horwath decrying Pan Am Games cost overruns and the potential cancellation of yet another Ticats home game as a "blow to the people of Hamilton."

The Tiger-Cats have a lease with the city that calls for compensation of at least $1 million for every missed home game — an amount the city would pursue on the team's behalf from Infrastructure Ontario and the contractor.

The stadium was supposed to be substantially complete June 30. Technically, it doesn't have to be finished to host a game, however.

Manager of building inspections John Lane said the contractor has the option of seeking a permit for "partial occupancy," meaning the public would be granted access only to finished areas of the stadium.

If the contractor goes that route, it would first have to submit a letter to the city's chief building official outlining its plan to keep members of the public safe and meet basic building code requirements.

For example, unfinished areas of the stadium "can't just be blocked with yellow tape," said Lane. "You need to physically bar access to any area that is still under construction."

A partial occupancy plan might include proposed limitations on crowd size, or even locations for portable toilets if some washrooms are out of commission.

The building department would also need compliance documents collected from various subcontractors, stadium architects and designers attesting to the completion, safety and structural integrity of the building.

If the chief building official approves the plan, a city building inspector would spend between two to three days examining the stadium, said Lane.

The inspector will look at everything from hand rails to sprinkler systems to emergency lighting to functioning washrooms. The contractor is also responsible for ensuring other regulatory requirements are met, such as Technical Standards and Safety Authority certification for elevators.

The Tiger-Cats would need to co-ordinate independently with any authorities involved in permits for permanent or temporary concessions or alcohol service.

If inspectors find deficiencies, Lane said the contractor will need to rectify them before an occupancy permit is issued.

Ferguson said he saw signs of progress during his visit, including washrooms that looked finished, a playable field and mostly installed seats. "But there is certainly more to do, and not a lot of time remaining," he said.

[ArgoZ]

It's important to realize that the builder really does not have until Sept 1 to finish. The first inspection will fail and the list of deficiencies will determine if it can be made safe in time. That needs to happen next week to meet an Aug 28 permit deadline. I have no inside info, but many issues I mentioned previously are all covered with more detail in this article, which gives me good idea how things are shaping up on site. All these articles about % done, are all hogwash. At this time frame, we should be reading articles about how the inspections went well and only this and that need to be done to comply.

20 years ago, THF opens no problem, or maybe in another province that doesn't have Ontario like politics. In today's legal happy society, I vision people attending this event looking for something to hurt themselves on. Very sad, but unfortunately true. The contractors are working hard, but when do they stop and start "building" the requirements to make safe? Temporary walls, toilets, lights, etc. There is a big difference between working efficiently and rushing to finish. All this tells me we are in for a press release stating that it's in the publics best interest that the stadium delays one more game.

[rdavies]

Crucial stadium inspection will take five days
Ticats have no obvious Plan B for Labour Day
Matthew Van Dongen thespec.com August 19/2014

The city building department expects to spend five days inspecting the city's new football stadium before pronouncing it ready — or not — for a fast-approaching Sept. 1 game.

That timeline adds to the deadline pressure facing the beleaguered builder of the $145-million stadium as well as the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The team doesn't have a local backup venue for the much-anticipated Labour Day classic.

Chief building official Ed VanderWindt said Monday he has two inspectors "on call" to begin a marathon study of the 22,500-seat stadium as soon as the contractor applies for an occupancy permit.

"There is a lot of ground to cover … It's not just one big walkabout and you're done," said VanderWindt, who has scheduled five days for the inspection.

While inspectors could eyeball the stadium in two or three days, the city's building boss said the extra time accounts for document review and any required repairs.

The two inspectors will roam the city-block-sized venue dozens of times, said VanderWindt, because each critical element — sprinklers, fire exits or hand rails, for example — requires a dedicated walk-about.

VanderWindt said it's not practical to assign more eyes to the stadium because not all parts of the building will be ready to inspect at the same time.

But he noted a team of in-house engineers will simultaneously be reviewing documents certifying everything from electrical work to structural integrity to fire safety.

The chosen inspectors — whom VanderWindt declined to identify — have a history with the building, including one dedicated to the stadium full-time.

"What I can say is our staff feel very privileged to be part of this project. I think everyone recognizes the pressure there is to make sure everything is done on time, but for our part I can say we're keeping on top of it and looking forward to getting it done."

The contractor, Ontario Sports Solutions, maintains the building will be ready for Sept. 1, but the building department hadn't received an occupancy permit application by the end of the business day Monday.

But VanderWindt said building inspectors will work weekends if necessary, meaning a permit could still be granted by next Monday.

Ticats officials have said they need at least five days to make the stadium game-ready. The city also needs about a week to orient maintenance staff, line the field and test equipment, said Councillor Lloyd Ferguson.

The contractor could request either a partial or full occupancy permit. The latter option requires a plan approved by VanderWindt outlining how an unfinished stadium would be made safe for public use.

It's not yet clear what the Tiger-Cats will do if the stadium isn't judged ready.

The team has played its last two home games at Ron Joyce stadium, but McMaster University has so far said the venue is not available Labour Day because of a conflicting game and move-in day for residence students.

Pan Am stadium: next steps

- If the contractor applies for partial occupancy, it must prove the unfinished stadium is safe to use.

For example, that could include implementing a fire watch if alarm systems aren't ready, setting up portable toilets if washrooms aren't done or walling off areas still under construction;

- If the city approves that plan, two inspectors would tour the stadium over several days, looking at all critical requirements listed in the Ontario Building Code, such as hand rails, sprinklers and structural integrity;

- They don't need to sign off on the field of play, the paint job or even the HVAC system, since heating isn't considered a critical requirement until October;

- Project engineers, architects and even sub-contractors must certify their work — and city engineers must review all the documents. That includes the big stuff — structural, mechanical, geotechnical and electrical work — but also details like fire alarm and elevator tests;

- Inspectors will list any deficiencies and return within days or even hours to see if they've been fixed. It's common to find things that need a last-minute fix, like wrongly installed sprinkler heads or dark exit signs. The stadium must also be clear of debris or tripping hazards — even if it is still under construction.

[argofandave]

I just received an email from the Ticats stating that they applied today for a temporary occupancy permit. If granted, all seats on the east side and seats on the lower west stands would be used but not the upper west stands. This would give them a capacity of 18,000.

[paulwoods13]

I'm assuming that some of us with single-game tix for LDay will be out of luck as they move season-ticket holders from the upper west side into seats elsewhere.

[ArgoRavi]

You have to wonder at this point if the Ticats should maybe just say that they can't move into this new stadium until at least October if not next season. Steve Simmons wrote some things in his column about this issue the other day which should be cause for concern:

SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT TICATS' NEW STADIUM
One of the people working on Tim Hortons Field, the eventual new home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, believes the stadium is unfit for usage this football season and could potentially be dangerous if opened prematurely. He says that privately. He says that seriously.
He won’t say it for the record.
But his words are strong, nonetheless.
The last concern in this case should be for the Ticats and a rush to have the stadium open for the usually sold-out Labour Day game against the Argonauts. The first concern must be for the safety of everyone involved.
The delays in the building of the eventual Pan Am Games facility have been monumental and well-documented. But now it’s close to serious decision-making time and structural problems, among others, I’m told, still need to be addressed.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon must insist upon full disclosure this close to Labour Day and the league and the Ticats had better have a sensible alternative for the Sept. 1 game and maybe for the rest of this season.

http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/201...turn-next-year

[matthew]

Email from cats...

Earlier today Ontario Sport Solutions (also known as ONSS, the builder of Tim Hortons Field) applied for a temporary occupancy permit, which is required to host the Labour Day Classic on September 1 at Tim Hortons Field.

If granted, the permit would allow access to the entire east side and lower west side of the stadium. We are currently working under the assumption that should this permit be granted by the City of Hamilton, the upper west stands, Club Seating, the Coors Light Patio and Suites would not be available for use. The stadium would have an approximate capacity of 18,000 seats in this configuration.

As a West Side upper level season seat owner, you will be offered replacement seats in the next best available section in the stadium. The price for relocated seats will be offered at season seat holder prices for that section, and you will be credited or refunded any balance that remains. Displaced fans will also have the option of receiving a credit or refund for the full value of their seats if they are not interested in a relocated seat.

We will begin contacting individuals who own tickets in the affected areas to confirm arrangements on Thursday, August 21.

Please note the Tiger-Cats are not part of the construction or approval process and have no influence or input on the final decision regarding the temporary occupancy permit for the Labour Day Classic. This final decision will be made by the City of Hamilton early next week. Public safety will remain the City's main priority.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and patience as we manage the unique circumstances that have arisen this season. You have our commitment to keep you informed of any developments.

[T-Bone]

You have to wonder at this point if the Ticats should maybe just say that they can't move into this new stadium until at least October if not next season. Steve Simmons wrote some things in his column about this issue the other day which should be cause for concern:

SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT TICATS' NEW STADIUM
One of the people working on Tim Hortons Field, the eventual new home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, believes the stadium is unfit for usage this football season and could potentially be dangerous if opened prematurely. He says that privately. He says that seriously.
He won’t say it for the record.
But his words are strong, nonetheless.
The last concern in this case should be for the Ticats and a rush to have the stadium open for the usually sold-out Labour Day game against the Argonauts. The first concern must be for the safety of everyone involved.
The delays in the building of the eventual Pan Am Games facility have been monumental and well-documented. But now it’s close to serious decision-making time and structural problems, among others, I’m told, still need to be addressed.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon must insist upon full disclosure this close to Labour Day and the league and the Ticats had better have a sensible alternative for the Sept. 1 game and maybe for the rest of this season.

I highly doubt the City of Hamilton wants lawsuits as a result of people being injured at Tim Hortons Field. I'm confident they will either approve or decline the temporary occupancy permit for Labour Day with public safety in mind as the e-mail matthew posted above says.