Stadium Updates

[R.J]

Ottawa planning to unveil new drawings this afternoon.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Lansdowne+plan+almost+ready+unveiled/6099788/story.html

Also found some news on the potential Halifax Stadium.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/41859-stoppage-time#.TudrlRY8Qwg.twitter
http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/40814-dartmouth-crossing-vies-new-stadium#.TumRFJN6Eak.twitter

New Lansdowne planned unveiled. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Modernist+vision+unveiled+renovated+Lansdowne/6113545/story.html

Here are the new photos for the Lansdowne plan. http://ottawa.ca/en/city_hall/planningprojectsreports/public_consult/lansdowne_partnership/stage2_siteplan/index.htm

another url for the detailed Lansdowne Park pictures. http://www.obj.ca/Slideshow/5887/Detailed-Lansdowne-Park-site-plans/1

[matchuk]

great to see the stadium updates for the argos!

[T-Bone]

Can't wait to go to the first Ottawa vs. Argos game when Ottawa returns to the CFL. That's going t0 be a great road trip.

[DanTheFan]

Can't wait to go to the first Ottawa vs. Argos game when Ottawa returns to the CFL. That's going t0 be a great road trip.

I wonder if the Argos would organize a bus trip to help some of the Toronto-based fans commute. Maybe they could make some sort of "Ultimate Road Trip Experience", setting up other Ottawa-based events for Argos fans attending.

[R.J]

According to this article (http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120207/OTT-lansdowne-Ottawa-plans-revitalization-city-glebe-design-120207/20120207/?hub=OttawaHome), new Frank Clair Stadium will only expand to 40,000 seats, not the previously mentioned 45,000.

Should also bring up that the Gee Gee's will not be playing at the redeveloped Lansdowne and will be building there own stadium.http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/09/ggs-plan-8m-football-field

Carleton University will be using Frank Clair though.

[ArgoRavi]

Should also bring up that the Gee Gee's will not be playing at the redeveloped Lansdowne and will be building there own stadium.http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/09/ggs-plan-8m-football-field

Carleton University will be using Frank Clair though.

I am pretty sure that Carleton will be playing their games on campus rather than at Lansdowne.

[R.J]

You are correct Ravi, only the Panda Game will continue at Lansdowne.

[1argoholic]

Yah that'll be great when I'm living near Peterborough and we want to drive to Ottawa for a game. Do we park outside city limits and take a bus. DUMB IDEA!! Some politicians are taking this green think a bit over the top.

[ArgoRavi]

This new Ottawa franchise will be around long after we are all gone. They have always had a decent fan base there but now they have solid, connected, local ownership for the first time since the 1970s and will have a beautiful new stadium. There never has been a large amount of parking there and I don't see that as being a huge factor considering that Montreal does just fine without any parking. Just allow people to park nearby like at Carleton and walk the ten minutes from there and have additional OC Transpo buses running. As long as you make that new stadium a place to be - and I am confident that they will do just that - people will find their way there without much trouble and the franchise will thrive. Traffic in that area is nothing like it is in southern Ontario.

I lived in Ottawa for over a decade and it is still my favourite place to live in so I am very partial to that city (although the Argos have always been #1 to me). As I said before, the fans have always been there - I believed that Ottawa was a much better market than Hamilton was during the 1980s and 1990s - but lousy ownership sunk the previous two franchises along with a run down stadium. Both of those problems will be rectified by the time that they take to the field in 2014.

[Will]

The new stadium will be very key IMO. I only attended one Renegade game and a bunch of Gee Gee games. I didn't realize how run down the stadium was, although I'm sure its amenities were stripped down quite a bit for CIS football versus CFL football. I never realized the Gee Gee average attendance was that high. I always remember support being an issue for them when I was at the University of Ottawa, mind you perhaps efforts have been taken to reverse that since I graduated in 2009.

[R.J]

Ottawa approves new updates........ and a bit more about the parking. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Lansdowne+will+face+some+traffic+challenges+Watson +says/6163899/story.html
"Friends" of Lansdowne appeals still might not be over, have one more ace in the hole. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Friends+Lansdowne+still+drag+fight/6283736/story.html

[ArgoRavi]

Ottawa approves new updates........ and a bit more about the parking. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Lansdowne+will+face+some+traffic+challenges+Watson +says/6163899/story.html
"Friends" of Lansdowne appeals still might not be over, have one more ace in the hole. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Lansdowne+will+face+some+traffic+challenges+Watson +says/6163899/story.html

Here is the link to the column about the Friends of Lansdowne potentially delaying things further: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Friends+Lansdowne+still+drag+fight/6283736/story.html

[R.J]

A tweet of some interest.

CTV Ottawa ‏ @ctvottawa
The Ontario Court of Appeal is set to release its decision in the Friends of #Lansdowne vs. City of Ottawa case Monday morning. #ottnews

[KCargosfan]

A tweet of some interest.

Hopefully the absurdity is over and they can start breaking ground to be ready for '14.

[R.J]

Joanne Chianello ‏ @jchianello
BREAKING NEWS: Friends of Lansdowne loses appeal against #ottcity over #Lansdowne Park redevelopment. #ottpoli
The "Friends" of Lansdowne still have one ace in the hole, they can make one last appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. I really hope this is the end and the stadium rebuilding can start in June, so that we finally have a 9th team again in 2014.

[ArgoRavi]

The "Friends" of Lansdowne still have one ace in the hole, they can make one last appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. I really hope this is the end and the stadium rebuilding can start in June, so that we finally have a 9th team again in 2014.

If they do not appeal, shovels can be in the ground this summer and the stadium can be ready for the 2014 season. They may very well appeal as much out of pettiness as anything else though. They are a well-heeled group financially so they can afford to appeal to the Supreme Court and I will be surprised if they don't.

EDIT: Here is more information from the Ottawa Citizen: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/City+wins+Lansdowne+appeal/6540729/story.html

To appeal this to the Supreme Court, the Friends of Lansdowne would have to get that court's permission as this most recent decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal was a unanimous one.

[1argoholic]

I'm so sick of this!! It must just piss Ottawa CFL fans off bigtime.

[Mulder]

Good News!


Friends of Lansdowne is going to release a statement at 2. Should be a funny read

[1argoholic]

I could understand if this area was a beautiful heritage park that the city all of a sudden wanted to turn into a stadium. However it's an old broken down stadium that has been around forever. These friends of landsdowne folks are fools. They wouldn't complain if the city was putting in an opera house or playhouse. Time for them to get their heads out of the clouds or out of their asses and move on with life.

[ArgoRavi]

Things are looking bleak for the Friends of Lansdowne: http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=85951

[argolio]

Winnipeg stadium officially won't open until September:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Winnipeg/2012/05/02/19708816.html

[T-Bone]

Bombers to play entire 2012 season at Canad Inns (http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-to-play-entire-2012-season-at-canad-inns)


The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced today that due to continued weather related delays in the construction progress of Investors Group Field, the team will play the entire 2012 CFL season at Canad Inns Stadium.

Investors Group Field will open its doors for the beginning of the 2013 CFL season. Blue Bombers President and CEO Garth Buchko issued the following statement:

"It is with great disappointment that we are making this announcement today, however we feel it is in the best interest of our fans, sponsors and entire organization to come to this decision. The reality is that unpredictable weather at a critical stage of construction, has made it difficult to pin down the ultimate completion date," he said.

"Endeavoring to accelerate work to overcome weather disruptions, beyond what is reasonable and safe, will only create further delays along the way, potentially compromising worker safety and the ultimate fan experience. To open Investors Group Field prior to a state of total completion would not be fair to our fans as their first experience must be a positive one."

"The citizens of our city and province have waited a long time for a new stadium and it will be well worth the wait to have it opened properly. This decision will most importantly provide stability and certainty for our loyal and passionate fans, the football team and the entire Blue Bomber organization."

[argolio]

Switching to north-south, interesting. And that obviously means it will be a complete rebuild.

Hopefully Bob Young will throw in a few extra bucks at the last minute to make it a 25,000 stadium.

[LLB997]

I figured the new Hamilton stadium was going to be North South. Ivor Wynne is just too cramped to fit a 21st century 20 thousand seater. People seem to be bitching that they are losing the soccer field.

[KCargosfan]

Switching to north-south, interesting. And that obviously means it will be a complete rebuild.

Hopefully Bob Young will throw in a few extra bucks at the last minute to make it a 25,000 stadium.

Kind of surprised only 22,500? Would think Young would want around a 27-28K stadium.

[argolio]

Kind of surprised only 22,500? Would think Young would want around a 27-28K stadium.Maybe if the winning bid is low enough, they can increase the number of seats.

[argofandave]

The original plan was to completely replace the south stands and refurbish and north stands and have 25,000 seats. When they discovered that the north stands could not be refurbished and had to be rebuilt and thus cost more money, they decided to reduce the seating capacity to 22,500 and save some money that way. I'm sure it'll be designed to be expanded easily. Bob Young has stated that he wants two Grey Cup games there during the first ten years of the new stadium.

[R.J]

http://www.guelphmercury.com/sports/article/759273--even-it-ticats-wanted-to-play-in-guelph-university-couldn-t-pull-it-off-kendall

Looks like Guelph has said no.

Also should bring up that Scott Mitchell has brought up that the Pan Am games Stadium seats 22,500, but once the games are done, there's nothing stopping the TiCats from adding to the seat total.

[argofandave]

That's too bad about Guelph. I live in Milton and would have gone to any games played there. London's too far away for me.

[AngeloV]

http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/744230--momentum-builds-for-the-guelph-tiger-cats-option

Looks like Guelph has said no.

Also should bring up that Scott Mitchell has brought up that the Pan Am games Stadium seats 22,500, but once the games are done, there's nothing stopping the TiCats from adding to the seat total.

Did I miss something there? The article states that Guelph is interested. Or is there an updated article that you didn't post the link to?

[R.J]

Did I miss something there? The article states that Guelph is interested. Or is there an updated article that you didn't post the link to?
Sorry AngeloV, I posted the wrong link, fixed it.

[AngeloV]

Sorry AngeloV, I posted the wrong link, fixed it.

Thanks. It's too bad. I think Guelph would have been great.

[argos1873]

This is awesome news for the CFL, but I'll only believe it when I see it. Sorry, I've been disappointed too many times. But this is still very positive news.

Just imagine if the Argos got the support from the province and city like the Riders just did. But you just know that that won't happen. And I bet we could build a decent stadium for half that cost and that it would help the Argos twice as much as it helps the Riders.

[1argoholic]

They just put a bunch of cash into Mosaic and now $200 plus mil on a new stadium. BC pretty much new stadium, Edmonton nice stadium with new killer indoor field training facility. Calgary still has a fairly decent stadium. Winnipeg, Hamilton and Ottawa will be new. Montreal refurbished. TO playing in a nice facility owned by jackasses.

[R.J]

Some more on Sask's new stadium
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TYQuUxquOA&feature=youtu.be
http://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/07/14/media-questions-to-brad-wall-pat-fiacco-roger-brandvold/

and a little on Lansdowne in Ottawa
http://www.scribblelive.com/Event/SinglePost.aspx?PostId=34805331
http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/07/13/vibrations-expected-with-lansdowne-work

[R.J]

New concept art for Sask's new stadium
http://www.riderville.com/article/concept-designs-unveiled-for-new-stadium

[shayman]

"• A “spectator roof” that protects fans and maintains the option to fully enclose the stadium at a later date


Nice! I'm all for football outdoors provided the rain is kept off of my own personal head.

[1argoholic]

Too bad we couldn't post pics of Argoville.

[LLB997]

Sask's looks nice, not sure if a paper mache stadium will work with all that wind.

[jerrym]

This new Ottawa franchise will be around long after we are all gone. They have always had a decent fan base there but now they have solid, connected, local ownership for the first time since the 1970s and will have a beautiful new stadium.

Having lived in Ottawa for 7 years in the distant past, I agree with ArgoRavi. I also agree that they are going overboard with their proposals to have little or no parking.

[argolio]

Too bad we couldn't post pics of Argoville.Yeah, exactly. Great news for the Riders, but also depressing that the Argos have little control over the present stadium, and hardly any prospects for a new one.

[Ron]

New concept art for Sask's new stadium
http://www.riderville.com/article/concept-designs-unveiled-for-new-stadium

Will be interested to see what the GC prices will be since they can't expand that to 50K.

[Ron]

http://www.guelphmercury.com/sports/article/759273--even-it-ticats-wanted-to-play-in-guelph-university-couldn-t-pull-it-off-kendall

Looks like Guelph has said no.

Also should bring up that Scott Mitchell has brought up that the Pan Am games Stadium seats 22,500, but once the games are done, there's nothing stopping the TiCats from adding to the seat total.

From that article it doesn't appear the Cats were ever going to ask them.

[1argoholic]

Basically every team will have great new stadiums or refurbished ones to some extent except Toronto. I've said it before that I don't mind where the Argos play just the owners. Too bad we didn't own the dome. Maybe the Argos should have a lottery for a few years to get the money for a combination stadium and practice facility.

[marcwagz]

i cant wait till the stadium is done and I can road trip to ottawa for an argos game.

[KCargosfan]

What's the latest on Ottawa and its court mess?

[ArgoRavi]

What's the latest on Ottawa and its court mess?

Here is the latest as of the end of August: http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2012/08/29/lansdowne-litigation-almost-over/

I believe that the city council is supposed to take one final vote to rubber stamp the Lansdowne Live deal either later this month or next month and then hopefully the shovels will be in the ground shortly after and the "conditional" tag can be removed from the expansion franchise granted to Ottawa.

[1argoholic]

I thought it was a done deal already. Just get going and lets get Ottawa back in the CFL and send Winnipeg packing back to the west for good.

[rdavies]

TD Place Ottawa June 5/2014

http://i62.tinypic.com/280s7wo.jpg

[matchuk]

Looks nice. But so does anything compared to Rogers centre.

[Argocister]

Remind me again how much the TD stadium cost?
Of course in T.O. it wont only be the stadium that has a price but land one chose would be costly in the centre of the city.

[rdavies]

Tim Hortons Field June 7/2014

http://i60.tinypic.com/10e0jk3.jpg

[Neely2005]

Tim Hortons Field June 7/2014

http://i60.tinypic.com/10e0jk3.jpg


It looks like they're fairly far behind Ottawa.

[rdavies]

Looks nice. But so does anything compared to Rogers centre.Recently on PTS they were talking about the 25th anniversary of the SkyDome and how it was the greatest thing since sliced bread and then along came Camden Yards and the retro look. Now with many of the new stadiums "going old" by copying Camden Yards, the retro look has now become (pardon the expression) passe.

One point that was mentioned was that you never hear about a stadium when the team is winning and it is full. Much of the complaining about the SkyDome began when the team (Jays) started to tank. Same with Camden Yards, doesn't matter how nice it is if the team is losing.

[rdavies]

It looks like they're fairly far behind Ottawa.Why would you make that comparison when Ottawa already had a stand ready to be refurbished and already started refurbing before Hamilton even got started. This project has been plagued by haters and conspiracy wingnuts since day one. Still don't know why because if you follow modern stadium construction (and planning for the future) it is way ahead of the curve.

It may not be fully completed by July 26, you may have to drink your beer from a bottle poured to a cup and you may have a long lineup to take a leak in one of the possibly few finished cans, but you'll have a seat and watch players playing on their new FieldTurf Revolution field.

[paulwoods13]

One point that was mentioned was that you never hear about a stadium when the team is winning and it is full. Much of the complaining about the SkyDome began when the team (Jays) started to tank. Same with Camden Yards, doesn't matter how nice it is if the team is losing.

I think the difference, though, is that Camden Yards is still a charming, fun place to be even if the team isn't good and the crowd isn't huge. I've been there as well as Wrigley Field with less-than-full attendance, and both offered an enjoyable experience. Whereas SkyDome with 13,000 Jays fans has virtually no charm unless the roof is open and you are sitting in the priciest seats behind home plate.

[paulwoods13]

Tim Hortons Field June 7/2014

http://i60.tinypic.com/10e0jk3.jpg

Yikes -- hasn't Hamilton got rid of its snow yet?!

[rdavies]

They're installing about a section of seats per day and the gravel that was brought in and graded took about two days so that's about half completed. They've really picked up the pace and some of the things that were not thought to be completed by the opening game will be completed. They have inspectors on site to expedite licenses and permits and all is looking good.

It was looking at one point to be about six weeks away from July 26 to be fully completed, but they may have gained on that schedule.

[rdavies]

Remind me again how much the TD stadium cost? Stadium Renovation and Parking (http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/occ/2010/06-17/ACS2010-CMR-REP-0034.htm)

The Lansdowne Partnership Plan requires the City to fund $106.2M for the stadium renovations and $23.1M to construct 660 of the approximate 1370 below-grade parking spaces. The City’s financial exposure is limited, as OSEG is assuming the risk for any potential cost escalations.

This includes the cost of refurbishing the Ottawa Civic Centre (TD Arena). Tack on another 17 million (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-oseg-at-odds-over-added-lansdowne-costs-1.2480613) on top of the above after additional roof costs to the arena were incurred.

Lansdowne Park Redevelopment: Project details (http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/06/09/14322756.html)

It's somewhat more difficult to get a good breakdown on the costs of the stadium and arena alone, separate from the whole development. As opposed to Hamilton where it was very easy to track the cost and was very transparent.

The Money (Hamilton)

• Overall cost is $145.7 million
• $119.1 to be spent on the stadium construction and design
• $26.6 million to be spent on “soft costs” such as project management, transaction fees and a contingency fund
• City contributing $54.3 million
• Province contributing $22.3 million
• Federal government paying the remaining $69.1 million
• Ticats to pay city $450,000 a year in rental costs

[rdavies]

Rectangular end zones on Edmonton Eskimos’ home turf safer for receivers, defensive backs (http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Rectangular+zones+Edmonton+Eskimos+home+turf+safer +receivers+defensive+backs/9900967/story.html)
CFLPA asked for Commonwealth Stadium field to be modified after Eskimos star Fred Stamps was hurt last year
Norm Cowley, Edmonton Journal June 2, 2014

EDMONTON - The changes to the end zones at Commonwealth Stadium look cosmetic, but were instigated by concern over player safety.

After star receiver Fred Stamps suffered a season-ending hip injury when he fell awkwardly on the concrete track that skirts the field while trying to catch a touchdown pass deep in the end zone in October, the Canadian Football League Players’ Association approached the Edmonton Eskimos.

“They asked if we could do something to modify the field to mitigate the concerns they had with the lack of the corners,” Eskimos president and CEO Len Rhodes said Monday on Day 2 of the CFL team’s training camp at Commonwealth Stadium. “As most people know, those corners haven’t changed since 1978.”

http://i61.tinypic.com/2qb55w3.jpg

Rhodes approached the City of Edmonton, which owns the facility, and city council provided almost $400,000 worth of funding to make the end zones rectangular, instead of rounded on the corners, with another six feet of FieldTurf outside the boundary lines. The worn-out track was also resurfaced with a new paint colour.

“It’s a significant difference versus what we had up to last year,” Rhodes said. “For the players who are accustomed to having square end zones, they know what to expect, and we feel that’s really going to make a difference for them.

http://i58.tinypic.com/2vadpo7.jpg

“Functionally, which is the most important one, it’s much more safe for the players.”

Stamps, who led the CFL with 1,259 receiving yards despite missing three games, has skidded on the track several times over the years because he’s always running the deep corner routes, but last season marked only the second time that he fell.

“I fell on the track over there (in the northeast corner) in 2012,” he said. “One of the signs caught my fall.

“I’m glad to see they added more turf. It gives me more room to catch the ball.”

Shamawd Chambers, a third-year receiver out of Wilfrid Laurier University, hurt himself in his first practice as a rookie at Commonwealth Stadium.

“I was attempting to catch a ball,” he recalled. “Literally, because of where the end zones were in my first year, like two steps out of bounds, you were sliding on the track.

“Immediately, I was just running and I slid on the track and I slit open my leg, my side, everything. It was bad.”

“Those cleats slip on that (track) pretty quick,” said veteran slotback Adarius Bowman. “I’m pretty sure it’ll probably prevent not bad injuries, but the little nicks and bruises you get from falling on that stuff.”

Both Chambers and Bowman also like the new end zones, which Chambers called “amazing,” because there’s another five or more yards for receivers to make plays.

“I’m very excited we’ve got that there,” said Bowman. “We can catch that corner ball instead of being on the track when you get your corner ball.”

Bowman said he used to adjust his pass routes so he didn’t risk running out of room in the corner of the end zone.

“The addition will help me a bit more,” he said. “I feel like I will have a lot more time, I probably can burst out of my route a little bit further, but it definitely will make the game a lot safer.”

It’s not just the receivers who like the new end zones. Fourth-year CFL veteran Chris Rwabukamba, who is competing for a job at the safety position, is also excited.

“I definitely feel it’s going to be better for us. Player safety is No. 1,” he said. “We already play a very violent game, so any rule that helps the players and keeps them safe and keeps them playing a longer time, I’m all for it.

“I definitely feel like it’ll help the players, help receivers and DBs, to make plays,” he added.

While the receivers see more room to get open, Rwabukamba takes a different viewpoint.

“I look at it like the longer the ball hangs in the air, it’s my ball, so it gives me a little more time to go get it as well,” he said. “I feel it’ll give DBs more chances to make plays.”

Rwabukamba hasn’t had any bad experiences deep in the end zone at Commonwealth Stadium, but he felt the rounded end zones at Montreal’s Percival Molson Stadium cost him an interception last year “because I was worried with the way the end was.”

[rdavies]

Caretaker's Update from Tim Hortons Field (http://ticats.ca/video/index/id/97045)
The Caretaker, Bob Young, checks in from the site of Tim Hortons Field June 11, 2014

[AngeloV]

Caretaker's Update from Tim Hortons Field (http://ticats.ca/video/index/id/97045)
The Caretaker, Bob Young, checks in from the site of Tim Hortons Field June 11, 2014

I wish we had a Bob Young.

[Argocister]

I wish we had a Bob Young.

What's nice with Bob Young is his character .... And he fills the Caretaker role perfectly.

MLSE.... If that ever happens.... Not so much of a character.

We'll just have to keep Pinball!

[rdavies]

I really hope with the new stadium the Cats prosper and Bob can put some coin back in his pocket.

[argos1873]

I wish we had a Bob Young.

Like seriously, there isn't a single Toronto based multimillionaire who wishes to step up to the plate, and buy the Argos? That's pretty sad.

[gilthethrill]

What's nice with Bob Young is his character .... And he fills the Caretaker role perfectly.

MLSE.... If that ever happens.... Not so much of a character.

We'll just have to keep Pinball!

Pinball is not as visible as he once was.

[ArgoRavi]

Pinball is not as visible as he once was.

Pinball is more of a team ambassador for the Argos than anything else. I doubt that he is involved in any organizational decisions and probably spends most of his time these days working with his charitable foundation.

[rdavies]

Tks to Patrick Barry at ticats.ca

Tim Hortons Field June 15/2014

http://i62.tinypic.com/2hi5yjo.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2n8bfah.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/seywax.jpg

[1argoholic]

When's it supposed to be finished?

I agree with argos1873. I've mentioned that many times. It is sad.

[rdavies]

When's it supposed to be finished? I agree with argos1873. I've mentioned that many times. It is sad.THF will be occupation ready for the July 26 opening.

Does that mean everything will be completed on that day? No, but there will be some wicked penalties if certain conditions are not met. Missing a Ticat game will cost the builders a cool million, let's start with that. So I don't think anyone is trying to stretch out the project to get a bigger payday.

The last statement that came from the builders was that it could take up to eight weeks after July 26 to be totally complete. That doesn't mean eight weeks after, it could be two weeks, or one week. According to IO they have made up a lot of time recently and they are confident they will be occupation ready by the opening game. And if I have yet to see anything (from any source) to the contrary.

My favourite gauge is Hamilton city councilor Lloyd Ferguson (a builder) who raised holy hell when he found out the stadium was behind schedule months ago. He was later convinced they did a lot of catching up and he hasn't made any statements since so he seems content.

Yes, it will be close, but since most of us here aren't builders and have no clue, I'll take my information from the people that have the experience. And for those who keep wanting to compare to IGF that was a different kettle of fish altogether.

Hopefully artificial turf and seats will be mostly complete by the end of the month and that strong visual in itself should make the uninformed feel better about the project.

Tim Hortons Field June 16/2014

http://i60.tinypic.com/241qyhg.jpg


TD Place Ottawa June 10/2014

http://i59.tinypic.com/2cmmd7l.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/2zq62qd.jpg

[rdavies]

TD Place Ottawa June 16/2014 (https://twitter.com/ottawacity/status/478613830919286785/photo/1)

It's getting close

http://i59.tinypic.com/nogg1c.jpg

[ArgoRavi]

Wow! That Ottawa stadium looks like a far cry from old Frank Clair Stadium.

[Wobbler]

http://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/images/con049765_123460821.jpg

Agreed. Not only are the stands nicer, getting rid of all the green netting and those soccer nets was a good move.

[Neely2005]

Why would you make that comparison when Ottawa already had a stand ready to be refurbished and already started refurbing before Hamilton even got started. This project has been plagued by haters and conspiracy wingnuts since day one. Still don't know why because if you follow modern stadium construction (and planning for the future) it is way ahead of the curve.

It may not be fully completed by July 26, you may have to drink your beer from a bottle poured to a cup and you may have a long lineup to take a leak in one of the possibly few finished cans, but you'll have a seat and watch players playing on their new FieldTurf Revolution field.

Just commenting on the 2 pictures. Ottawa looks much further along.

Also it's been my experience that renovating something usually takes longer than tearing it down and starting from scratch. So I'm not sure that Ottawa had any advantage over Hamilton in that regard.

[ArgoGabe22]

Also it's been my experience that renovating something usually takes longer than tearing it down and starting from scratch. So I'm not sure that Ottawa had any advantage over Hamilton in that regard.

Hamilton started from scratch. They decided to rotate the endzones ever since their star signing, Sandro DeAngelis couldn't hit a FG.

[Argo]

I wish we had a Bob Young.

I agree wholeheartedly, and at the risk of conflating this thread with a second theme, it's fair to state that in some sense Toronto doesn't deserve the Argonauts; however, there's nowhere to relocate.

[shayman]

Like seriously, there isn't a single Toronto based multimillionaire who wishes to step up to the plate, and buy the Argos? That's pretty sad.

Bob Young is based in North Carolina, btw.

[rdavies]

Tks to Migs at skyscraperpage

Mosaic Stadium Regina, Canada (http://www.bharchitects.com/en/projects/399#1)
Size - 33,000 permanent seats
Completion - Under construction
Client - HKS Sports & Entertainment Group
Collaboration - B+H is Architect of Record; HKS Sports & Entertainment Group is Lead Design and Sports Architect

B+H is the Architect of Record for the new Mosaic Stadium at Evraz Place, the iconic keystone project of the city’s Regina Revitalization Initiative and new home of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

With a standard capacity of 33,000 spectators which is expandable to 40,000, the flexible design will allow the stadium to host a variety of events.

An exceptional user experience will be provided with a translucent spectator roof and open south end zone connecting the stadium to the community and create a feeling of spaciousness, a general admission lounge accessible to all users and 68 per cent of seats located in a sunken lower bowl.

The Stadium’s base will be clad in native stone to reflect the region’s geology.

Substantial completion is expected in August 2016, with the first game being played in the stadium in June 2017. The project team, led by PCL, also includes HKS Sports & Entertainment Group as Lead Design and Sports Architect.

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[rdavies]

Tim Hortons Field June 21/2014

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[rdavies]

Ticats will play in unfinished stadium for most of the season (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/ticats-will-play-in-unfinished-stadium-for-most-of-the-season-1.2685651)
Samantha Craggs, CBC News Jun 24, 2014

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be playing in an incomplete stadium for nearly the whole season, as construction is now acknowledged to be more than three months behind schedule.

But officials say none of the a outstanding work will be a "show stopper," and fans will still have a good time.

But on opening day, fans at the new Tim Horton’s Field will have to do so without a scoreboard and the full complement of washrooms.

The new stadium will still be a construction site when fans file in for their first glimpse at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats home opener on July 26. Its new "substantial completion date" is in early October, a few weeks before the end of the CFL season.

The original substantial completion date was June 30. But officials said Tuesday that weather and the bankruptcy of a subcontractor caused the delay.

"In order to play a game, we need a field, we need seats, we need lights and we need an occupancy permit, a temporary one," said Glenn Gibson, presidents of the Ticats. "And that implies the premises is safe to conduct a game. I don’t see any show stoppers here unless some trucks get held up at the border with our turf on them.”

Tuesday's announcement was the latest in a series of acknowledgements the project was falling behind schedule, dating back to January. At that time, the stadium was said to be two weeks behind. By the end of March, the project was said to be at most six weeks behind schedule.

No scoreboard

Opening day will be missing a scoreboard and a full set of washrooms. Outdoor landscaping won't be finished, and there may be incomplete air conditioning and concession stands.

Gibson and city officials gave an update on the progress at a media conference at city hall Tuesday morning, assuring people there will be football in Hamilton on July 26.

It will still technically be a construction site on that date, said Gerry Davis, the city’s director of public works.

"It will be a temporary use. Get the game in there, get out and the contractor goes back in," he said. "The finishings won't all be there but the guts of it…are very critical."

Ontario Sports Solutions, the consortium building the $145-million stadium, doesn’t anticipate any issues when it applies for an occupancy permit on July 15, said John McKendrick, executive vice-president at Infrastructure Ontario.

Cost effective

If all goes well, the city will grant the permit by July 21. McKendrick couldn’t recall a time when one of his projects wasn’t granted a permit.

The stadium will be "cost effective" and "high quality," McKendrick said.

"Most fans won’t notice it," he said of the unfinished parts. "The difference might be that getting beer in cans instead of beer from the tap. It’s going to be a safe, quality site."

The Ticats have a contingency plan if they can’t play in the stadium, Gibson said. But he’s not saying what it is because he’s confident the team won’t need it.

[rdavies]

Tim Hortons Field July 5/2014

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Ticat home game still a go - for now (http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/4614737-ticat-home-game-still-a-go-for-now/)
Scott Radley thespec.com July 3/2014

Last week, everyone involved in the stadium project said the plan was to have Tim Hortons Field ready for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' first Canadian Football League home game July 26.

A week closer to D-Day, that hasn't really changed.

A four-hour Pan Am Games facilities meeting in Toronto on Thursday involving all the principals ended with those involved still saying they're doing everything they can to make that happen.

"We're still in negotiations trying to get the game in," says Gerry Davis, general manager of public works, adding there's another meeting scheduled Monday in Toronto to continue figuring it all out.

Citing the confidentiality of the meeting, he wouldn't offer any details of what exactly was being negotiated. However, he acknowledged there are challenges.

"There are a number of issues that have to be resolved," Davis says.

They revolve around the race to get enough done to be ready for inspection toward an occupancy permit, a process that's scheduled to begin in just 12 days.

The city's building code requirements about what must be done to receive such a permit are clear but a little complicated due to the uniqueness of the project. Distilled to its most-simple form, whatever area is going to be used must be completely finished before the city will sign off on it.

The absolute minimum, therefore, would be the installation of 24,000 seats — the backs are in place but not the actual seat — as well as all hand railings and other safety features in the public area. Entrances and exits must be marked and clear, and all areas not being used must be securely blocked by walls or gates.

It gets more complicated if private boxes, the press box, concourses, washrooms and other enclosed areas are to be occupied.

For those to be OK'd, the rooms must be completed, sprinkler systems must be in working order, plumbing, sewage, lighting and electrical must be operational. This includes all hallways and stairwells.

Essentially, the building department must be satisfied that anyplace someone might be while in the facility is safe. And no, there's no leeway for being nearly ready.

"It's either done or it's not," says Ed VanderWindt, the city's chief building official. "We will sign off when it's complete."

Not on the list of areas needed to be inspected for the permit are the grounds, including the scoreboard, which also still has to be erected. Also not on the list is the field itself.

One of the areas that's been a topic of much discussion is the installation of the turf, with good reason. FieldTurf's website says it takes the company 27 days from the time the turf arrives on site until completion. This sounds like a significant problem since it only arrived Wednesday and the first game is just 24 days later.

But FieldTurf's Darren Gill says the time frame on the website is "a casual estimate" and should be seen as a guide rather than gospel.

"We've installed fields in a very, very short period of time," he says.

Rollout and installation of the turf began Thursday.

But, back to the stadium itself. Last week, at that briefing on the state of the project, it was made clear the request for inspection would be made on July 15 with a goal of having a permit granted by July 21. Any later and the Ticats wouldn't have enough time to move in and get ready for showtime.

That means the builders have 18 days to have all the required work done if there's to be a game.

[AngeloV]

Tim Hortons Field July 5/2014

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LOL, that looks like a Computerized printout, and not an actual photo.

[Argocister]

LOL, that looks like a Computerized printout, and not an actual photo.

You are probably right there AV.......https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hOCuHcQYA

[rdavies]

LOL, that looks like a Computerized printout, and not an actual photo.It's very real

[rdavies]

TD Place Ottawa

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[argofandave]

Just heard on the Fan590 that the Tiger-Cats will play their first two home games at McMaster. Bob McCown interviewed Scott Mitchell of the Ticats at 5pm today.

[shayman]

Just heard on the Fan590 that the Tiger-Cats will play their first two home games at McMaster. Bob McCown interviewed Scott Mitchell of the Ticats at 5pm today.

They still have a better stadium plan than we do :-)

[ArgoRavi]

Just heard on the Fan590 that the Tiger-Cats will play their first two home games at McMaster. Bob McCown interviewed Scott Mitchell of the Ticats at 5pm today.

That would put off their first home game at THF to Saturday, August 16th against Calgary.

[Will]

That would put off their first home game at THF to Saturday, August 16th against Calgary.

That's the first game I selected for my flex-pack. I'll have to keep a close eye on any additional developments.

[argofandave]

CHCHtv in Hamilton is reporting that the stadium might not be ready until Labour Day.

[Will]

CHCHtv in Hamilton is reporting that the stadium might not be ready until Labour Day.

I heard that was a possibility.

[rdavies]

It's looking like the first three games will be at Mac. No guarantee that the Labour Day game will be at THF, they would like that, but the scenario looks like a still unfinished stadium but close enough to stage a game.

[ArgoZ]

I heard that was a possibility.

That is amusing. Just until yesterday, it was all a go, despite what the stadium looked like. Now maybe not even ready by Sept 1st and they were trying for July 26! So they were blowing smoke up everyone's asses? What an embarrassment. I feel bad for the Cats and their fans, especially since this was going to be their year. New players, new stadium. Hasn't started off too well.

[ArgoRavi]

The July 31st game between Winnipeg and Hamilton was supposed to be televised on the main ESPN network but it doesn't appear as though it will be now as it has been removed from the U.S. TV schedule. I am guessing that the league does not want a game played at McMaster televised on ESPN.

[AngeloV]

I can't believe they are playing at McMaster anyways. 6,000 seats is not CFL caliber. They should have had a contingency plan in place to either play back at Guelph or at Western, somewhere where you can at least add temporary seating. Did they not learn anything from the Winnipeg delays?

[argolio]

Did they not learn anything from the Winnipeg delays?Sounds to me like the Ticats were told repeatedly the stadium would definitely be ready.....until it was too late.

[Gill The Thrill]

Maybe they should play at Skydome instead of Mac, but I'm sure the schedule of the Blue Jays would prevent that.

Anybody remember when the dome first opened, many things were not completed. There was plastic electrical chord coverings for unfinished lights popping out of the ground and concrete potholes all over the place. They did not have to put gates or warning signs, the thinking back then was watch where you're walking and you'll be fine...Today's younger generation with all their ipods and androids would need neon warning signs in 162 languages for such a development to be considered safe...heck, don't we need to hold hands for those under 30 to cross the street...it's much too much to expect them to look for motor vehicles...I know I'm being facetious but I wonder if all the coccooning that been done has really made things safer.

That being said, exit signs and seat backs would be something that you'd think would be completed by now....oh well, it sounds like a government project done under mandatory union labour. Timelines be damned except for overtime..lol.

[AngeloV]

Today's younger generation with all their ipods and androids would need neon warning signs in 162 languages for such a development to be considered safe.

I think the biggest fear is that too many people in this day and age are looking for an opportunity to sue someone. I call it the Celino and Barnes effect.

[Argocister]

Maybe they should play at Skydome instead of Mac, but I'm sure the schedule of the Blue Jays would prevent that.

.............

I actually looked it up awhile back, the dates are open but depending how long it takes for the change to football I'm sure is the determining factor.


I think the biggest fear is that too many people in this day and age are looking for an opportunity to sue someone. I call it the Celino and Barnes effect.

I think this is the case ..... Fear of a lawsuit will cause the contractors, the Ticats and the city of Hamilton to be extra cautious.

[ArgoRavi]

That being said, exit signs and seat backs would be something that you'd think would be completed by now....oh well, it sounds like a government project done under mandatory union labour. Timelines be damned except for overtime..lol.

From what I read on CHCH's Facebook page, part of the problem is that the city did not use the city's union contractors that they should have used. The consensus on there is that everything would have been done on time if they had done that.

[Neely2005]

From what I read on CHCH's Facebook page, part of the problem is that the city did not use the city's union contractors that they should have used. The consensus on there is that everything would have been done on time if they had done that.

Yeah right. The next time that a Canadian unionized construction company completes a government job on time will be the first time.

[ArgoZ]

From what I read on CHCH's Facebook page, part of the problem is that the city did not use the city's union contractors that they should have used. The consensus on there is that everything would have been done on time if they had done that.

It is hard to say for sure. While union companies generally provide better service, they are more expensive, so when your on a public budget, the trade off is often worth the risk. It's a good sales pitch though for using them. The job site started off with a non union demolition company, that ruffled some union feathers, but they got the job done on time, pockets got lined and that payed off. The non union masonry contractor disappeared and the electrical bailed. They lost out there, but that's just everyday business in this trade. There is often a lot of deception when it comes to large construction projects. Not everything is as it seems, and even the most trusted resources are secretly trying to increase their percentage points, wherever they can. Promises are easily made and broken. The general contractor is to provide a million for every missed game to the Cats. There is so much legal jargon and clauses, that I wouldn't be surprised they never see that money. As someone that is in the construction business, my company is Hamilton based, I honestly do not see the stadium ready for Labour Day, which is why I haven't got tickets yet, LOL.

[paulwoods13]

I honestly do not see the stadium ready for Labour Day, which is why I haven't got tickets yet, LOL.

It clearly won't be finished by Labour Day, or likely any time this season, but I would be shocked if it is not open by then. I expect LDay will be the first game in the stadium. As far as I know LD is already sold out. There's little to no chance the Cats and the city will allow the black eye that would be playing that game at McMaster before 6,000 people.

[ArgoZ]

It clearly won't be finished by Labour Day, or likely any time this season, but I would be shocked if it is not open by then. I expect LDay will be the first game in the stadium. As far as I know LD is already sold out. There's little to no chance the Cats and the city will allow the black eye that would be playing that game at McMaster before 6,000 people.

I want nothing more to be wrong and yourself right. However, when I decide to do a drive by, if I am working in the area, I just don't see it ready in 5 weeks, (25 working days), the amount of time needed for inspections and compliances after. I suppose nothing is impossible, but the facts don't support this idea. Since the deadline has been missed and we have already discussed the make believe penalties, overtime has since been suspended. I guess they can chance a game in a half built stadium, but here we go again rolling the dices. What happens when the game goes into overtime and they realize they have no lights? Just a funny scenario among many that could potentially happen. The suites do not even have walls up yet. I can imagine people sitting in lawn chairs on exposed concrete in their "private box". It might do more damage to try to pull this off, then say play a night game at Rogers Centre.

I plan on buying tix through the secondary market, but there is no point as I see it right now. If all fails, I will try scalpers game day.

[argolio]

Yeah right. The next time that a Canadian unionized construction company completes a government job on time will be the first time.Some are, some aren't. I know the Sheppard subway came in on time and under budget. Apparently the Ottawa underground LRT line is ahead of schedule.

[ArgoRavi]

It clearly won't be finished by Labour Day, or likely any time this season, but I would be shocked if it is not open by then. I expect LDay will be the first game in the stadium. As far as I know LD is already sold out. There's little to no chance the Cats and the city will allow the black eye that would be playing that game at McMaster before 6,000 people.

According to McMaster, Paul, the Ticats can't play on Labour Day there because the Marauders have a game. I would say that they should move the Labour Day game to Toronto this year but I doubt that SkyDome would cooperate.

[shayman]

According to McMaster, Paul, the Ticats can't play on Labour Day there because the Marauders have a game. I would say that they should move the Labour Day game to Toronto this year but I doubt that SkyDome would cooperate.

Jays play the Yankees the day before, so that won't work; conversion couldn't happen in time.

[T-Bone]

Yeah right. The next time that a Canadian unionized construction company completes a government job on time will be the first time.
BMO Field. On time, on budget.

[AngeloV]

Jays play the Yankees the day before, so that won't work; conversion couldn't happen in time.

I still have a hard time buying that you need 36 hours to convert.

[BATKINSON001]

I still have a hard time buying that you need 36 hours to convert.

ROgers doesn't have the staff anymore (or the inclination to do so) to get it done inside of a day like back in the 90's...

[AngeloV]

ROgers doesn't have the staff anymore (or the inclination to do so) to get it done inside of a day like back in the 90's...

So it's not that it CAN'T be done. It that they WON'T get it done.

That's what I suspected.

[ArgoRavi]

So it's not that it CAN'T be done. It that they WON'T get it done.

That's what I suspected.

That is what I have always suspected to, AV. They used to be able to do the conversion so that you could play a baseball game one night and a football game the next or vice versa. It seems to be only since Rogers bought the stadium that this has now become impossible.

[Mulder]

That is what I have always suspected to, AV. They used to be able to do the conversion so that you could play a baseball game one night and a football game the next or vice versa. It seems to be only since Rogers bought the stadium that this has now become impossible.

It's a load of crap. I stayed in the Skydome hotel in 2010. After they got the new turf I think.

Game was Friday night, by the next morning the dome was already converted back to baseball save about a quarter of the turf, stands were moved. I remember waking up at times during the night to see how it was progressing, and there not being alot of staff.

I used to wonder why there has never been a video of the Skydome converting the field from baseball to football or vise-versa. But I think it's pretty clear that alot of nothing gets done and it would expose that it is really quicker than 48 hours.

[shayman]

So it's not that it CAN'T be done. It that they WON'T get it done.

That's what I suspected.

A wise person once said "If you don't why something is the way it is, the answer is 'money.'"

A quick google search reveals lots of statements from the past about how conversion from football to baseball takes "8-10 hours" "10-12 hours" or "16 hours" or similar.

There has to be a time-lapse video out there somewhere, or statements from when the stadium was built about how quick it'd take.

Although I also remember they used to brag that opening and closing the roof only used $5 worth of electricity so they'd be happy to do it every time a tour group came through.

Hey, here's a good one. Google searches are fun. April 2010. "Only 10,610 fans showed up for Wednesday night's game against the White Sox." http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=318195

[rdavies]

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[matchuk]

im beating a dead horse, but it was so depressing to see the graphic on tsn yesterday about the cfl stadiums, how every team (except one of course) either has or is getting a new stadium or has had upgrades in the last few seasons...

[rdavies]

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im beating a dead horse, but it was so depressing to see the graphic on tsn yesterday about the cfl stadiums, how every team (except one of course) either has or is getting a new stadium or has had upgrades in the last few seasons...Don't mean to rub it in, but TD Place looked great on TV last night. Interesting, that during the halftime, Commish Cohon still stated BMO by name as a home for the Argos. You would think if it was dead or not realistically in the picture, he wouldn't do that.


TSN 1050 Mike Hogan with Mark Cohon (http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/Mike Hogan with Mark Cohon.mp3)
July 18 2014

Mike Hogan sits down with CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon (http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/Mike Hogan with Mark Cohon.mp3) to talk about the return of CFL Football to Ottawa and the state of the Toronto Argos.

Tim Hortons Field Update (http://ticats.ca/video/index/id/99073)
Ticats TV takes a look at the turf and the scoreboard structure at Tim Hortons Field
July 20, 2014

[rdavies]

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[rdavies]

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[rdavies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQLlWBwv9yA

[T-Bone]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Limited # of tickets to July 26 &amp; 31 games at McMaster now available to general public.

Call 905-547-2287 or visit <a href="http://t.co/Lo7kSE3Zzv">http://t.co/Lo7kSE3Zzv</a></p>&mdash; Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ticats/statuses/491662858602954752">July 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>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/cfl-hopes-espn-deal-leads-to-future-television-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

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[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 (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/tim-hortons-field-likely-won-t-finished-ticats-190741346.html) 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 (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/cfl/blog/cfl_experts/post/CFL-schedule-released-with-several-Hamilton-con?urn=cfl-323422) in recent years (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/cfl-schedule-features-just-one-labour-day-game-182355513.html)), 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.
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[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 (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/tim-hortons-field-likely-won-t-finished-ticats-190741346.html) 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 (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/cfl/blog/cfl_experts/post/CFL-schedule-released-with-several-Hamilton-con?urn=cfl-323422) in recent years (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/cfl-schedule-features-just-one-labour-day-game-182355513.html)), 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.
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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 (http://www.chch.com/hopes-high-hamilton-tiger-cats-labour-day-classic-go-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
(https://soundcloud.com/am900chml/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 (http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4761479-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 (http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4765488-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/2014/08/16/blue-jays-gm-alex-anthopoulos-set-to-return-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. (http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2014/08/16/blue-jays-gm-alex-anthopoulos-set-to-return-next-year)
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.

[rdavies]

Tks to Waldorfian at ticats.ca for photos and info

Paving being done on the streets around the stadium
Advertising signage is being placed
Lights and speakers being adjusted
Plaza work moving forward with landscaping (trees) arriving on site

http://i61.tinypic.com/152l64z.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/10f98n6.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/ea2xpt.jpg

[rdavies]

Tks to Grover at ticats.ca

Scott Mitchell @ticatmitchell
A good day on the Tim Hortons Field front. Several hurdles overcome today and the stadium is starting to look great within the bowl.

http://i58.tinypic.com/24yd14w.jpg

[rdavies]

Tim Hortons Field August 26/2014
Photos from ticats.ca

http://i61.tinypic.com/2zzt0lh.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/6zvre9.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/zv3481.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/v4t3cj.jpg

[ArgoZ]

One guy painting a line! It sure looks on par with how this stadium was built. With no permit and a plan B delay for a Tuesday game or move to Toronto, it doesn't look promising to open. Closing sections and delaying answers shows they are sure in desperation mode. Frustrating, I really want to go to this game, I just need an answer where it's being played.

[Will]

I'm anxious for some sort of finality as to where Monday's game will be played as well.

[AngeloV]

I'm anxious for some sort of finality as to where Monday's game will be played as well.

Agreed. It's not fair to the fans that have tickets to keep them waiting.

[ArgoRavi]

Agreed. It's not fair to the fans that have tickets to keep them waiting.

Nor the players or coaches who don't know yet whether the game will be on Monday or Tuesday.

[rdavies]

One guy painting a line! It sure looks on par with how this stadium was built. Well, I guess he can paint pretty fast.

Ticats first practice at Tim Hortons Field August 27/2014

http://i57.tinypic.com/5agj9w.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/2nsbaf9.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/qyfs03.jpg

[argolio]

If nothing else, the fact they're practicing there is a good sign.

[rdavies]

Chances of Monday game at new stadium up to 85 per cent (http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4800925-chances-of-monday-game-at-new-stadium-up-to-85-per-cent/)
Drew Edwards Hamilton Spectator August 27/2014

Councillor Lloyd Ferguson has been consistently pessimistic — some might say realistic — when it comes to the timelines surrounding the readiness of the new stadium. But after a two-hour tour of the $150-million facility on Wednesday, Ferguson says he's almost convinced it will be ready in time for the Tiger-Cats game scheduled for Labour Day.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2r5dz60.jpg

"How far they've gotten has exceeded my expectation. It's moving along well," Ferguson said.

According to Ferguson, the final scoreboard panels were installed Wednesday and tests of the fire alarm system were under way. Washroom facilities are now functioning, temporary concession stands are currently being prepared and workers are cleaning up the concourses to make them ready for fans.

While an official from builder Ontario Sports Solutions said Tuesday there was a "better than 50 per cent" chance the stadium would be ready for Labour Day, Ferguson — and the guys wearing the hard hats — are even more optimistic.

"I talked with the guys on the job and they're a pretty proud bunch and they want to get it done," Ferguson said. "They said 100 per cent but I'm going to say 85 per cent."

Another person expressing optimism — somewhat more predictably — was Ticats chief executive officer Scott Mitchell, who attended Wednesday's practice with the team.

"The latest update is they continue to make progress. Again, it's not a process that we're in control of at all. We get updates like everybody else," Mitchell said. "We've not heard of anything that would be a setback. In fact, all we hear is the checklist continuing to be augmented and improved upon. All we've heard is positive momentum."

The team's contingency plan — to play the game Tuesday at Toronto's Rogers Centre — remains in place. While Mitchell said the team has plenty of time to make a decision, Kelly Keyes, vice-president of building services for the facility, said lead time is required to arrange staff to prepare the field and the stadium.

"I would say we would need to know by the end of the day Thursday," Keyes said.

Ferguson says paperwork from the various trades remains a major hurdle. Architects, engineers and manufacturers involved in the stadium have to certify that their work has been completed in accordance to the design and their specifications in order for the city to issue the occupancy permit.

"From what I've seen, I'm pretty confident the work will be done," Ferguson said. "The question is whether the documents will be in."

Still, Ferguson is as optimistic as he's been that the iconic Labour Day game will finally return to Hamilton.

"I was pleasantly surprised by how much progress they've made," he said.

[rdavies]

What a shame it will be to add advertisements to this pristine field, oh well, gotta stay in business

http://i59.tinypic.com/2uzqww0.jpg

[Argocister]

Sigh ..... It will be great to
Be there on Monday ..... I'm just jealous :ohno:

[AngeloV]

Nice to see the end zone sidelines go straight to 20 yards and don't need to be curved to allow for a track. I think that would leave Montreal and Edmonton as the last 2 stadiums without full 20x65 yard end zones.

[ArgoRavi]

Nice to see the end zone sidelines go straight to 20 yards and don't need to be curved to allow for a track. I think that would leave Montreal and Edmonton as the last 2 stadiums without full 20x65 yard end zones.

I thought that Edmonton fixed theirs this year although I can't say that I have paid attention while watching their games to see if that is indeed the case.

[Argo57]

Envy Hamilton fans looks like they will have a very decent facility when finished, wish we were in the same situation for sure!

[rdavies]

Nice to see the end zone sidelines go straight to 20 yards and don't need to be curved to allow for a track. I think that would leave Montreal and Edmonton as the last 2 stadiums without full 20x65 yard end zones.Rectangular end zones on Edmonton Eskimos’ home turf safer for receivers, defensive backs (http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Rectangular+zones+Edmonton+Eskimos+home+turf+safer +receivers+defensive+backs/9900967/story.html)
CFLPA asked for Commonwealth Stadium field to be modified after Eskimos star Fred Stamps was hurt last year
Norm Cowley, Edmonton Journal June 2, 2014

EDMONTON - The changes to the end zones at Commonwealth Stadium look cosmetic, but were instigated by concern over player safety.

After star receiver Fred Stamps suffered a season-ending hip injury when he fell awkwardly on the concrete track that skirts the field while trying to catch a touchdown pass deep in the end zone in October, the Canadian Football League Players’ Association approached the Edmonton Eskimos.

“They asked if we could do something to modify the field to mitigate the concerns they had with the lack of the corners,” Eskimos president and CEO Len Rhodes said Monday on Day 2 of the CFL team’s training camp at Commonwealth Stadium. “As most people know, those corners haven’t changed since 1978.”

http://i57.tinypic.com/300wnqs.jpg

Rhodes approached the City of Edmonton, which owns the facility, and city council provided almost $400,000 worth of funding to make the end zones rectangular, instead of rounded on the corners, with another six feet of FieldTurf outside the boundary lines. The worn-out track was also resurfaced with a new paint colour.

“It’s a significant difference versus what we had up to last year,” Rhodes said. “For the players who are accustomed to having square end zones, they know what to expect, and we feel that’s really going to make a difference for them.

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“Functionally, which is the most important one, it’s much more safe for the players.”

Stamps, who led the CFL with 1,259 receiving yards despite missing three games, has skidded on the track several times over the years because he’s always running the deep corner routes, but last season marked only the second time that he fell.

“I fell on the track over there (in the northeast corner) in 2012,” he said. “One of the signs caught my fall.

“I’m glad to see they added more turf. It gives me more room to catch the ball.”

Shamawd Chambers, a third-year receiver out of Wilfrid Laurier University, hurt himself in his first practice as a rookie at Commonwealth Stadium.

“I was attempting to catch a ball,” he recalled. “Literally, because of where the end zones were in my first year, like two steps out of bounds, you were sliding on the track.

“Immediately, I was just running and I slid on the track and I slit open my leg, my side, everything. It was bad.”

“Those cleats slip on that (track) pretty quick,” said veteran slotback Adarius Bowman. “I’m pretty sure it’ll probably prevent not bad injuries, but the little nicks and bruises you get from falling on that stuff.”

Both Chambers and Bowman also like the new end zones, which Chambers called “amazing,” because there’s another five or more yards for receivers to make plays.

“I’m very excited we’ve got that there,” said Bowman. “We can catch that corner ball instead of being on the track when you get your corner ball.”

Bowman said he used to adjust his pass routes so he didn’t risk running out of room in the corner of the end zone.

“The addition will help me a bit more,” he said. “I feel like I will have a lot more time, I probably can burst out of my route a little bit further, but it definitely will make the game a lot safer.”

It’s not just the receivers who like the new end zones. Fourth-year CFL veteran Chris Rwabukamba, who is competing for a job at the safety position, is also excited.

“I definitely feel it’s going to be better for us. Player safety is No. 1,” he said. “We already play a very violent game, so any rule that helps the players and keeps them safe and keeps them playing a longer time, I’m all for it.

“I definitely feel like it’ll help the players, help receivers and DBs, to make plays,” he added.

While the receivers see more room to get open, Rwabukamba takes a different viewpoint.

“I look at it like the longer the ball hangs in the air, it’s my ball, so it gives me a little more time to go get it as well,” he said. “I feel it’ll give DBs more chances to make plays.”

Rwabukamba hasn’t had any bad experiences deep in the end zone at Commonwealth Stadium, but he felt the rounded end zones at Montreal’s Percival Molson Stadium cost him an interception last year “because I was worried with the way the end was.”

[AngeloV]

Thanks Ravi and rdavies. I guess I haven't paid attention to it recently either. Now all we need is McGill to do the same.

[Wobbler]

That's great to read, rdavies. Thanks for the info.

[rdavies]

Drew Edwards and Steve Milton's first impressions at Tim Hortons Field


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC7L87vNXYo

[ArgoZ]

Looks really good. Apparently they are going to make a decision on occupancy Sunday afternoon, which is ridiculous. I am just going to watch on TV, can't be bothered trying to make plans anymore.

[AngeloV]

Looks really good. Apparently they are going to make a decision on occupancy Sunday afternoon, which is ridiculous. I am just going to watch on TV, can't be bothered trying to make plans anymore.

Me too..unless the game is moved to the dome on Tuesday....I'm already downtown for work.

[gilthethrill]

Me too..unless the game is moved to the dome on Tuesday....I'm already downtown for work.

I think the majority of Hamilton fans will not make the drive to the dome on Tuesday night. Expect THF to be "ready".....good decision Hamilton City Counsel to have the stadium built there....

[ArgoGabe22]

Anyone else notice Zach Collaros say "We usually pack the Dome pretty good" when asked if a move on Tuesday changes anything. I see nothing wrong with his comments, and it is sadly true but I would sure like to get a good hit on him if I had the chance.

[rdavies]

The latest on the stadium and a little on the football team too (http://scratchingpost.thespec.com/2014/08/the-latest-on-the-stadium-and-a-little-on-the-football-team-too.html)
Drew Edwards The Scratching Post August 29/2014

Ticats' CEO Scott Mitchell seems increasingly confident that Tim Hortons Field will be ready for the Labour Day Classic as scheduled.

“Something would have to drastically wrong for us not to be in there for Monday for kickoff,” Mitchell told TSN radio on Friday morning.

There is, Mitchell acknowledged, plenty of work left to be done at the $145 million facility. City officials said Thursday that the soonest they expect to be in a position to issue an occupancy permit for the stadium is Sunday afternoon — hours before the scheduled start of the game against the Argos, set for 1 p.m. Monday.

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Ed VanderWindt, Hamilton's director of building, says a number of tests and inspections still have to take place before the city can sign off, but there's more work to be done before that can happen.

"If all goes according to what I've been told, we'll be ready on Sunday afternoon, but it's up the contractor to finish the work first," VanderWindt said Thursday. "For us to sign off on the project, we need a number of major components completed."

Inspectors tested the fire alarms, sprinkler heads and generators on Thursday, but the installation of guard rails still need to take place. They were slated to be delivered on Friday and installed on Saturday and Sunday.

We don't schedule the games and we don't figure out when the guard rails are done.

"Until they are done, that's going to be the holdup," VanderWindt said.

Paperwork from the various trades also remains a major hurdle, VanderWindt said. Architects, engineers and manufacturers involved in the stadium have to certify their work has been completed in accordance with the design and their specifications in order for the city to issue the occupancy permit.

Mitchell says the team's operational hurdles — meeting the needs of the teams, CFL officials, broadcasters and providing game day staff — have now been cleared.

The Ticats have outlined the three scenarios for the iconic East Division matchup: play the game as scheduled at Tim Hortons Field; move the game to the following night at the new stadium or, if it still isn't ready, play the game Tuesday evening at the Rogers Centre.

A senior official at the Rogers Centre says he could wait as long as Sunday before getting definitive word if the game between the Argonauts and Tiger-Cats needs to be played in Toronto on Sept. 2.

That’s a little later than the Thursday evening timeline put forth by stadium officials earlier in the week.

“We could theoretically wait until the ninth inning of the game against the Yankees on Sunday. It’s not ideal, but it’s doable. We’d like as much time as we can, but we’re trying to be as flexible as possible, given the situation,” Stephen Brooks, senior vice-president of business operations for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Rogers Centre, told the Toronto Star.

If the game is held in Toronto, Labour Day ticketholders will receive a credit toward a future game or a full refund, as well as complimentary tickets to the contest at Rogers Centre.

An official from builder Ontario Sports Solutions said Tuesday there was a "better than 50 per cent" chance the stadium would be ready for Labour Day, while Councillor Lloyd Ferguson pegged the number at 85 per cent on Wednesday.

VanderWindt, however, wasn't willing to set new odds.

"We don't schedule the games and we don't figure out when the guard rails are done," he said. "Once the work is done, we'll issue the permit."

The 24,500-seat stadium was originally slated to be complete by June 30, then in time for the team's home opener July 24. The contractor now expects to turn over a mostly completed facility to the city Oct. 2, but finishing touches could take another month or two.

- with files from Josh Rubin at the Toronto Star.

[rdavies]

Ticats getting comfy in their new home (http://scratchingpost.thespec.com/2014/08/the-latest-on-the-stadium-and-a-little-on-the-football-team-too.html)
Steve Milton The Scratching Post August 29/2014

Second day in and the players no longer seem to be obviously in awe, but their attitude is not one of a team that has managed just a single victory in two months.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were almost giddy at Tim Hortons Field Thursday and that can't only be attributed to a 10-day break in the schedule and the return from long-term injury by Zach Collaros, the team's starting quarterback.

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There was excess energy during the Cats' second consecutive workout at the Doughnut Box — some of it leading to a spirited fight between a defensive lineman and a series of five offensive linemen — and that's because they can see and feel the future, even if they're not sure that future is now.

Whenever they get in for a real game, the team now has a new practice home and the overwhelming ambience of Tim Hortons Field is taking root. The players aren't chewing on the creature comforts they'll eventually have, because they haven't really seen them yet, but they're already pumped about the stadium assets that will benefit them competitively.

"The stadium looks great," said quarterback Zach Collaros. "It's a fast surface, which is good for us. We're all very excited."

The turf is as smooth as the Bonneville Salt Flats and provides excellent traction despite being soft and easy on the feet. And, veteran Ivor Wynners will notice, there is not the slightest hint of a drainage hump running the length of the field. That creates a sense of greater vastness, as just about every facet of this new building does.

International regulations for the 2015 Pan Am Games soccer tournament have resulted in the walls, which rise 2.6 metres from the field area before the grandstand seating begins, being noticeably farther from the sidelines than at Ivor Wynne. But, quite surprisingly, it is not at the cost of intimacy. The pitch of the stands and the mere height of them, especially on the towering west side, create a cosy, closed-in feeling. And that's without any fans in the seats.

"It doesn't feel like just two open sides," says Ticats coach and general manager Kent Austin. "The south side has that wall and the patio behind it. And on the north side, the two corners are open but then you've got this two-tiered deck under this huge Jumbotron. So in both end zones, there are going to be fans standing above us … the field almost feels sunken."

This makes it even more of a centre of visual attention and, therefore, more intimate. Not Ivor Wynne intimate, but a different kind of intimate, which will have its own impact. You would not, for instance, want to be the first Argonaut who catches a touchdown pass deep in the south end zone, which ends perilously close to the patio wall. There will not be a friendly reception from just two metres above.

One thing longtime Ticats ticket subscribers will notice that might escape players and media is the seating. First of all, it's all seats. There's not a wooden bench in sight. And the chairs are staggered, so that no head is directly in front of the one in the row ahead or behind.

The dominant hue of the stands will initially irk many fans because, other than a narrow band of gold-ish seats running the length of the top of each section, there is no real hint of the primary tenant's iconic colour scheme. Every chair outside of the yellow archipelago is a muted greyish brown.

It's a monochromatic sea but it looks and feels classy, in a gentrified kind of way. It offers no distractions from the stadium's primary visual appeals: the playing field; the scoreboard; the escarpment and the ads, which run the length of the field. Those ads are colour-co-ordinated to match the stadium motif, a new development in Canadian arena advertising.

While the players feel comfortable in all this and have already adjusted just as easily to imminent comfort as they did to the deprivations of Guelph and Mac, they're about to be wowed again on the weekend when they see their locker-room for the first time, Austin predicts.

"It's unbelievable and that's not hyperbole at all," he says. "You have the therapy area connected to the locker-room, connected to the weight room, right across from the players' lounge. The room, the quality, all the detail, the way it's laid out, the convenience for the players. They'll love it."

Clearly, they already do.

[rdavies]

Courtesy ticats.ca (http://www.ticats.ca/photo_gallery/gallery/id/13269) (last week of August/2014)

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[rdavies]

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[rdavies]

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[rdavies]

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[argolio]

Great job with the updates, rd.

[rdavies]

Well, it's getting near the end for THF. At least now we have a pretty good idea how it will look before the project raps up, likely in the next two months. Here's hoping the final outcome will shut up some of the haterz who have dogged this project. I think it has turned out pretty well, even better than I expected, considering the small budget.

Regina has a pretty sophisticated construction webcam (http://www.reginarevitalization.ca/stadiumcam/) operating now while we wait for the CFL's crowning glory (unfortunately there's a big building in the way, but anyway ...)

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Anxiously awaiting the day that I can post updates concerning the Argos' new home.

[Argo57]

Jealous of all the other teams new facilities, hopefully our day will come soon!!!

[rdavies]

Sportsnet590 The FAN @FAN590 · 6h

The #TigerCats got the green light from City of #Hamilton for Monday afternoon's #CFL game against the Toronto #Argonauts.

Fan overview for the Labour Day Classic (http://ticats.ca/article/fan-overview-for-the-labour-day-classic)

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have received the following statement from City of Hamilton's General Manager of Public Works Gerry Davis:

"Contractors have advised us that they will be completing all the key construction pieces over the next two days, and getting final sign off this weekend. These assurances give us confidence that the Labour Day game will proceed."

For the bad news, there will be:
No operational elevators and
No access to the club level, suites and upper west stands

[rdavies]

Tim Hortons Field August 31/2014

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[rdavies]

Courtesy Scott Mitchell@ticatmitchell and TravelPatB at ticats.ca

Seagrams Touchdown Lounge

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[rdavies]

Tks to pigskinned at ticats.ca

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[rdavies]

Photos by John Sokolowski ticats.ca (http://www.ticats.ca/photo_gallery/gallery/id/13311)

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[rdavies]

First look at ticats locker room (https://vine.co/v/OBF1Lw0mj3P)

[Neely2005]

Toronto should have serious stadium jealously:

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/01/toronto-should-have-serious-stadium-jealously

[matchuk]

Toronto should have serious stadium jealously:

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/01/toronto-should-have-serious-stadium-jealously

i know im jealous as hell after being at THF yesterday afternoon...

[rdavies]

TD Place Pomerleau from Beacon Media Group Plus September 12/2014
An overview of Ottawa's new stadium, the TD Place produced for Pomerleau Inc.


http://vimeo.com/105872314

[D-Gap-Willie]

Does anyone know when THF will be fully open ? I see the attendance for Sask at the Donut Box on Sunday was still at 18,135 which I expected. Will it be before the playoffs ? I am thinking perhaps for the Lions game on Oct 4.

[rdavies]

Stadium set up the same for Sunday and the Ticats new return man (http://scratchingpost.thespec.com/2014/09/stadium-set-up-the-same-for-sunday-and-the-ticats-new-return-man.html)
Drew Edwards The Scratching Post 09/12/2014

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats' second game in their new home will look an awful lot like their first.

The Ticats are set to host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday afternoon at Tim Hortons Field and builder Ontario Sports Solutions (ONSS) has applied for another temporary occupancy permit to turn the partially completed facility into a usable sports stadium for the day. But the upper deck on the west side as well as the club seats and corporate suites will still be unavailable.

Team president Glenn Gibson says he's hopeful the so-called "premium seating" will be ready for the game on Sept. 20 but that the upper deck isn't expected to open until October. ONSS has previous stated they are aiming for substantial completion of the $145-million facility by Oct. 4, when the Ticats host the B.C. Lions.

"When we get through this game, we'll have a clearer picture as to when things will open," Gibson said. "The contractor is optimistic but we're tempering our expectations."

Representatives for ONSS referred questions regarding the stadium to Infrastructure Ontario, the provincial agency responsible for the project. An email to IO seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Councillor Lloyd Ferguson, chair of the city's planning and building committee, says he's "angry" over the lack of progress.

"This is so disappointing. It feels like there is no sense of urgency with the contractor,"said Ferguson, who also has doubts about the early October completion date. "We feel so helpless because we have no influence on them."

The Ticats won the inaugural game at the new stadium, 13-12 over the Toronto Argonauts on Labour Day. But while that game was sold out, there are still tickets available for Sunday's contest — despite the fact the stadium will be 6,000 seats below its eventual capacity.

"In the original model, we were always going to hold back tickets for game day, available to the casual fan," Gibson said. "Strategically, it helps for our long-term goals to build our fan base."

With the stadium still under construction and the team languishing with a 2-7 record, Gibson acknowledges there have been challenges to overcome this season. But he says that feedback from fans after the Labour Day game was universally positive.

"We're not concerned. Given everything that we're dealing with, we're happy with where we're at," Gibson said. "No one has lost confidence in our team. We've lost some close games but there's a lot of season left."

[Argocister]

Mmmmm.... Who are the main investors with the contracting company ..... rogers anyone?

[shayman]

Went to the game Sunday. Even though the stadium is only half-complete, it's still very impressive. And it's frustrating. The Pan-Am Games, and all that money, is awarded to Toronto - and HAMILTON gets the new stadium?

It's hard to go there and not be hugely jealous.

[Mulder]

Went to the game Sunday. Even though the stadium is only half-complete, it's still very impressive. And it's frustrating. The Pan-Am Games, and all that money, is awarded to Toronto - and HAMILTON gets the new stadium?

It's hard to go there and not be hugely jealous.

They billed it as the Horseshoe games from the start if I remember correctly. Events as far as Oshawa, Minden, and Welland.

Probably contingent on funding that they spread it around a bunch of regions.


Mmmmm.... Who are the main investors with the contracting company ..... rogers anyone?


Shit happens on construction projects all the time. It seems there has been some engineering oversight as well. Which is a shame

[shayman]

Mmmmm.... Who are the main investors with the contracting company ..... rogers anyone?

Well since you asked, it's Kenaidan Construction, 51% owned by a Japanese company
http://www.kenaidan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157&Itemid=296

and Bouygues Building Canada, part of a diversified French firm
http://www.bouyguesbuildingcanada.com/en/content/pan-am-games-hamilton-soccer-stadium

[Argocister]

Well since you asked, it's Kenaidan Construction, 51% owned by a Japanese company
http://www.kenaidan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157&Itemid=296

and Bouygues Building Canada, part of a diversified French firm
http://www.bouyguesbuildingcanada.com/en/content/pan-am-games-hamilton-soccer-stadium

Thank you for the info .... I was really just talking tongue in cheek but the read was good. I had also heard that much of the delay came from some committees (pan am and otherwise) changing what they needed on a regular basis.

[rdavies]

Stadium on time, on budget (Video) (http://www.leaderpost.com/news/regina/Stadium+time+budget+Video/10215896/story.html)
Natascia Lypny Leader-Post September 18, 2014

REGINA — The new Mosaic Stadium is plowing ahead on time and on budget despite heavy summer rainfall that muddied the site.

“There’s no question the excitement in our city is real when you see the cranes in the air, you see the bowl being dug, the cement going in, and the structure going up,” said Mayor Michael Fougere.

“I’m very confident that the public is behind this,” he added.

The stadium’s fast-track simultaneous design and build process has kept the project moving at a steady pace, with U.S. design team HKS Architects providing detailed plans in segments as the construction team in Regina tackles the heavy lifting.

Aside from excessive rain, which forced the team to bring in pumps and special equipment that can handle mud, the project hasn’t met any challenges so far, said PCL district manager Sean Hamelin.

“It’s been boring, which is great for us.”

Construction will continue through the winter.

“We’re hoping for a mild winter as I think we all are, but we’ll forge through whatever the winter brings,” said Hamelin.

The stadium will be substantially complete by August 2016.

Once the current stadium is torn down, the city will begin on its residential and commercial redevelopment plans for Taylor Field.

Quick Facts:

- On any given day four excavators are on site. They’ve removed 160,000 cubic metres of material so far, or 55 per cent of what’s going to be removed in total. About 75 per cent of the excavation will be complete by the end of 2014.

- Four rigs on site have completed 70 per cent of the piling work. That task is expected to be complete in October.

- Eighty per cent of the main floor foundation work on the east side of the stadium site is finished, said Hamelin. Soon, crews will install columns and suspended slabs. It won’t be long before people walking on Elphinstone Street will be able to see a structure rising above the construction fence.

- The construction site hole, for the stadium’s sunken bowl, is currently six metres deep. The west side will eventually be 10 metres deep to accommodate two additional levels: A floor for events and a mezzanine with locker rooms, kitchens and storage.

- Between 90 and 100 tradespeople are working on the site daily. That will jump to 180 by November. About 80 per cent of workers are local.

- The two cranes towering over the site are 65.5 metres and 61 metres, respectively. Two more cranes will be erected in October.

[rdavies]

TFC's stadium set to undergo massive renovations (http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/22/toronto-fcs-stadium-set-to-undergo-massive-renovations)
Toronto Sun obtains new renderings of BMO Field
Kurtis Larson, Toronto Sun September 22, 2014

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TORONTO - A former MLSE staffer once described current-day BMO Field as an “IKEA” stadium.

“Pull the pin and it will crumble to the ground,” he told me.

That’s not a shot at MLSE — or the city. It’s the truth.

Current-day BMO Field has served its purpose.

It’s a testament to MLS that it took just eight seasons for TFC to grow out of its current digs. But it has.

And, on Tuesday, all parties will be on site to unveil BMO Field 2.0: A massive renovation that will turn the stadium into something more than a “ready-to-assemble” venue.

“Go look at what our stadium was when it opened to what it is today,” Leiweke told the Toronto Sun last week.

“We’ve fallen so far behind it’s shocking.”

Soccer-specific stadiums in Kansas City and New York are considered world-class.

BMO Field has fallen to the bottom of the pack.

The three photos the Sun obtained ahead of Tuesday’s unveiling reveal a stark upgrade, one with a luxury club level and the addition of a few thousand new seats under roofing. Capacity is expected to grow to around 30,000.

Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko and MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum are expected to speak on Tuesday.

Councillors Norm Kelly and Mark Grimes will be in attendance, too.

Although Toronto FC is expected to remain the primary tenant, MLSE’s top brass has left open the possibility of the CFL moving into BMO Field one day.

“That’s a commitment that is a legal obligation to the city and the province,” Leiweke told the Sun. “We will honour that commitment.”

Construction is under way and is expected to be completed in two phases over two years.

[RICKEARS]

http://bmofield.com/expansion/


Additional 8,400 seats with additional washrooms and concession stands
12 new executive suites, 2 party suites and a loge box
New full service kitchen for restaurants, suites and clubs
Two new private clubs:
West Grandstand, Event Level – 230 patrons
East Grandstand, Event Level – 420 patrons
Expansion of Rogers Club – current capacity of 500 is increased to 750 with upgraded look and feel, improved food and beverage and washroom facilities
New larger full HD videoboard replacing existing north videoboard
New concourse (2nd level) around south end of stadium allowing for one continuous concourse (at the upper concourse level)
Budget of $65M
Completion May 1, 2015

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[rdavies]

Phase II

- Addition of full size canopy covering all seats with exception of North Grandstand
- New sound and lighting system
- Budget of $40M
- Completion May 1, 2016

[rdavies]

Perhaps the opening salvo in the hopes of a new stadium for Calgary.

Ken King in studio with Boomer & Rhett (http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/boomer-morning/ken-king-in-studio-w-boomer-rhett/)
Sportsnet Staff September 23, 2014,
The President and CEO of the Calgary Flames joins the morning show in studio for a full hour; King talks players, offseason changes in and around the team, the continuing climb towards a new arena and much more.

"It (Calgary ownership group) will soon include an extraordinarily ambitious building project that extends far beyond an arena. The first drawings I have in my office are from 2007...Edmonton is in the ground (new arena), this is not a "me too" thing.

When we come forward and it will be soon, I believe the following will happen: the financial structure for it,...lots of equity from the ownership group, lots of creative approaches, the location is..., wouldn't it be cool if there was a serious fieldhouse... the best before date for McMahon Stadium might be closing in, and clearly the Scotiabank Saddledome needs to be replaced so if you could imagine what could take place.

We're seeing some local groups, talking to them about the project, we want to garner general support, we want to have the answers to all the questions people will ask before they ask them and that's really the work we're doing now.

I think there are some cities that have multiple facilities together, I'm not sure if any of them will be as dramatic as this in terms of the collective efficiency of what we're trying to do, if we can do it.

Architects have been working on this for a long time but if we can pull it off I think it will be one of the most transformational projects in this city for the next 50 years."

[rdavies]

New Regina stadium update - October 29/2014


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGaqLh5QmTA

[rdavies]

A little out of date, but interesting info on one of the THF patios.

Patio Platform at Tim Hortons Field (http://www.centaurproducts.com/news/my-blog/2014/09/04/patio-platform-at-tim-hortons-field)
Centaur Products Sep 04, 2014

With some construction still set to be completed in the following weeks, the brand new Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton was unveiled to the public on Monday, September 1, 2014, for the annual Labour Day Classic which saw the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeat the Toronto Argonauts 13-12.

Centaur was very proud to play a role in the project constructing a two-tiered patio platform which will become known as the Coors Light Patio and eventually home to what the Tiger-Cats are calling “Canada’s Largest Patio Party”.

This 10,000 sq. ft. patio platform, designed by manufacturer Southern Bleacher, features two raised levels of standing and seating areas including wheelchair accessible seating. The seating platform can hold 1,200 to 1,500 spectators and will provide a very unique experience for Tiger-Cat fans.

Some images of the platform are posted below:

http://i61.tinypic.com/6ehhkg.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/15fj5e0.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/24yy8p4.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/xen1jd.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/1zv6ft1.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/2pt1i5w.jpg

The new Tim Hortons stadium also features a large Daktronics Video Display system and when the project is fully complete will provide the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the City of Hamilton one of the premier stadiums in all of Canada. Centaur is very proud to be part of the project.

[rdavies]

This had me totally confused until I found out what happened (bottom photo). I thought it was another stadium or they changed the seats at THF.

http://i57.tinypic.com/35b74uw.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/290ylw9.jpg

It was Fan Appreciation Day at THF and they arranged T-shirts over the seats to show how the place would look with a different coloured seating theme.

[T-Bone]

It was Fan Appreciation Day at THF and they arranged T-shirts over the seats to show how the place would look with a different coloured seating theme.
It was a neat tribute to Ivor Wynne Stadium:

522

Here are what the t-shirts looked like (http://www.ticats.ca/page/fan-appreciation-day-t-shirts). Nice to see a team doing something for its fans on Fan Appreciation Day.

[AngeloV]

Wow. I've said it before, but I wish we had a Bob Young owning the Argos.

[Fumblitis]

One idea I had was that maybe some former NFL player with a passion for football and a lot of money would be interested based on a passion for the game. Dare to dream....dare to dream.

[argofandave]

It was a neat tribute to Ivor Wynne Stadium:

522

Here are what the t-shirts looked like (http://www.ticats.ca/page/fan-appreciation-day-t-shirts). Nice to see a team doing something for its fans on Fan Appreciation Day.
I was there and I got the white "Holy Mackinaw" shirt. Unfortunately, with the rain starting before the game, most of the shirts were wet before people got to their seats.

[rdavies]

Unfortunately, with the rain starting before the game, most of the shirts were wet before people got to their seats.There's a marketing opportunity missed, oh, to have the likes of Lonie Glieberman again. Not!


One idea I had was that maybe some former NFL player with a passion for football and a lot of money would be interested based on a passion for the game. Dare to dream....dare to dream.Need local ownership, like Ottawa, when a situation is as bad as the Argos. Bob Young while not living in Hamilton is hooked into the community, Wetenhall has people to do that for him.

Toronto's history of bringing in big name NFLers hasn't had much long term success.

[T-Bone]

I was there and I got the white "Holy Mackinaw" shirt. Unfortunately, with the rain starting before the game, most of the shirts were wet before people got to their seats.
I was there as well and gave my "Oskee Wee Wee" shirt to my friend who is a Ti-Cat fan. Unfortunately or fortunately we can't control the weather but the shirts dried.

[rdavies]

BMO Field Expansion Video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RElL3ww8iQ

[Argocister]

BMO Expansion video ........ Heavy Sigh.

Well I guess they have to sell their season tickets so no point in letting any indication that it may be convertible to a CFL field or that they have to share the field. Let's hope it's still a go in a couple of years.
Not that this video shows much for the CFL group, but if there's a roof over the one end, does that mean they only have one moveable end (the one without the roof) and the stands will be shifted on the CFL field ? ......ie . The middle of the stands would not be the 55 yd line?

[T-Bone]

BMO Expansion video ........ Heavy Sigh.

Well I guess they have to sell their season tickets so no point in letting any indication that it may be convertible to a CFL field or that they have to share the field. Let's hope it's still a go in a couple of years.
Not that this video shows much for the CFL group, but if there's a roof over the one end, does that mean they only have one moveable end (the one without the roof) and the stands will be shifted on the CFL field ? ......ie . The middle of the stands would not be the 55 yd line?
I believe the plan is that the south end (with roof) will have the retractable seats and the north end will be removed which is why they are not adding a roof to it.

[rdavies]

Tks to king10 at SkyscraperPage for headsup


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJfXwBxqu4M&list=UUc1qA_64TEqAX9pnGJOO0Dw

[rdavies]

Jays hope new turf will be softer for players (http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/jays-hope-new-turf-will-be-softer-for-players/)
Shi Davidi Sportsnet.ca December 2, 2014

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays will be playing on a new artificial surface in 2015, one they believe will be more comfortable and less taxing on their players.

That’s a good thing given the widely-held disdain for the old rug – the AstroTurf 3D installed for the 2010 season – which is often blamed for causing excessive wear and tear on the bodies of those who play on it.

There are some who feel it’s a deterrent for free agents, and others are adamant the synthetic field contributes to the team’s health issues, the oft-injured Brett Lawrie, traded Friday to the Oakland Athletics as part of the package for Josh Donaldson, among them.

“It treats my body kind of silly and throws it off,” he said this week during a conference call with Bay Area media, adding later: “I really do feel that turf has a lot to do with (all the injuries). I’m wound tight, my body is wound tight just being a high-energy guy and being a quick-twitch guy, so for me being on that turf and bouncing around and whatnot, I hear people just saying from walking on it or standing on it from opposing teams, ‘Man, we were only in there for three days but my body feels terrible.’

“When you hear those sorts of things and you realize we’re on that stuff every single day, I can only point the finger at it because it makes sense. I really do feel when I go on the road and I play on grass and dirt and whatnot, I feel better. Once you get back into five, six, seven games in a row on that stuff, your body just gets thrown through a bit of a loop. I feel like this is a big step forward for me into being healthy and staying on the field.”

The coming season will determine whether or not the switch to natural grass really makes a difference on that front for Lawrie, and the Blue Jays can only hope their new surface provides similar potential benefits.

Installation of the new AstroTurf 3D Xtreme, the next generation of their old carpet with redesigned grass fibres, is scheduled to start Jan. 23 and should be completed by early March. While it’s far from ideal, the new rug is slated to serve as a stop-gap until Rogers Centre can be retrofitted for natural grass, a process slated for 2018.

Finding the Toronto Argonauts a new home is a key element within that timeline, and the CFL club may yet end up at BMO Field, where they were set to move before funding issues scuttled a plan to bring them over. It’s the most sensible landing spot for them, and one school of thought is logic will rule the day and the stadium’s upcoming renovations will allow it to accommodate a CFL playing field.

Until all that gets settled, the Blue Jays are trying to do the next best thing for their players, and the new turf is it.

“Our turf was starting to get worn down,” says Kelly Keyes, vice-president, building services for the Blue Jays. “(The new one) will be softer for the players, it will be better for their bodies, and the ball won’t roll as fast, it will be much slower.”

The difference won’t be only in going from one field to another, but also in the way the new carpet is laid down and handled.

The previous surface ended up hardening over time because of the way it compresses while rolled up for Rogers Centre’s other events, causing the grass blades to flatten out. Compounding matters, the mixture of sand and rubber crumbs poured on the turf to make it springier only added to the weight, increasing the pressure on it while sitting and especially while rolled up.

A switch this past season to a rubber crumb only mixture helped for a little while, but the surface by then had seen better days.

“The sand adds a lot of weight to it,” explained Keyes. “Our big rolls ranged from 11,000-12,000 pounds.”

This time the rolls should weigh about 6,000 pounds. With approximately half of the pressure and a slightly bigger crumb size, the Blue Jays hope the surface won’t compress as much.

“In theory, that should make it a little softer and last longer,” Keyes said.

One problem the Blue Jays simply won’t be able to resolve is the toll the frequent placement and removal takes on the turf.

The club’s selection of artificial surfaces is limited by the need for a portable system. Prior to 2010, the Blue Jays for five years used a tray system field made up of roughly 2,000 pieces, and players regularly found odd seams and dead spots that changed after every conversion.

The new carpet – 145 rolls, the longest piece measuring 170 feet – will be similar to the old carpet put together with basically the same seaming plan.

“This allows us to continue to be multipurpose,” said Keyes. “The fibre will be a blend of two different greens so it looks a little sharper and the blades are supposed to be stronger, they shouldn’t fall down as quickly as they do right now.”

The key matter, however, is whether it makes playing at Rogers Centre less physically taxing for Blue Jays players, and a real reading of that won’t come until well into next season.

The surface won’t ever be as forgiving as natural grass, but it needs to be better than the light padding over concrete it became.

As for the old surface, it will be returned to AstroTurf so it can be recycled and live on in one of the other carpeting products the manufacturer makes. Few who played on it will be sad to see it go, and many will be eager to wish it good riddance.

[rdavies]

FIFA says turf at Commonwealth Stadium must be ripped up for Women’s World Cup due to faint white lines (http://www.edmontonjournal.com/FIFA+says+turf+Commonwealth+Stadium+must+ripped+Wo men+World+faint+white+lines/10806113/story.html)
Cost: $800,000, to be shared by city and soccer association
Gordon Kent, Edmonton Journal February 12, 2015

The international soccer federation is giving Commonwealth Stadium turf the boot to ensure faint white football lines don’t mar TV broadcasts during the Women’s World Cup.

The painted football lines are removed from the artificial grass during soccer matches, which use a different set of markings.

But over time, small amounts of paint stick to the fibres and the rubber crumb around them, Commonwealth Stadium acting director Kevin Kobi said Wednesday.

“The Canadian Soccer Association has assessed a number of pitches that are being played on and had come to the conclusion, along with FIFA, that a number needed to be replaced,” he said.

“What was noticed last year during the under-20 Women’s World Cup was there was ghosting on the (Commonwealth) pitch.”

After consulting the manufacturer and a paint supplier, the only practical solution was to tear out the five-year-old turf, Kobi said.

Although 99 per cent of the paint can be stripped off the material, that’s not enough, he said.

“It was that remaining one per cent on the field *— with high-definition cameras and the quality of filming, it was evident you could see it during the under-20s.”

Replacement will start in April and be finished by the end of May, at a cost of about $800,000, Kobi said.

The Canadian Soccer Association is paying half the bill, as well as replacing one of two artificial fields being used for practices in Henry Singer Park.

The average lifespan of the Commonwealth surface is eight to 10 years, so the city is getting a good deal, he said.

The Edmonton Eskimos have been consulted to ensure the new product meets their needs.

The work won’t interfere with their spring training, which is being held this year in Spruce Grove.

This isn’t an example of “big soccer” pushing around Edmonton, Kobi said.

“Not at all ... Realistically, we would have to replace this field in three years anyway,” he said.

“Although we’re replacing it earlier than we normally would, it allows us to extend the lifespan of the field five to seven years at a fraction of the cost.”

Coun. Bryan Anderson said new styles of turf are better at shedding paint when required.

“If we’re going to host ... there are certain regulations we have to meet,” he said.

“One is to have soccer lines only visible to a world television audience.”

Edmonton is holding 11 World Cup games, including the opener, during the June 5-July 6 tournament staged in six Canadian cities.

About 40 top players filed an Ontario Human Rights Commission complaint they later withdrew. They had argued they shouldn’t have their matches on artificial turf.

Men play on natural grass, which many feel gives a different style of game and reduces injury.

[rdavies]

Board approves stadium revitalization (http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/board-approves-stadium-revitalization)
Communications Staff Queen's Gazette December 8, 2014

http://i61.tinypic.com/15xa7fb.jpg
An early rendering of what the revitalized Richardson Stadium could look like.

Queen’s Board of Trustees has approved the Richardson Stadium revitalization project, at a cost of $20.27 million. The board made the decision at its December meeting. Construction of the stadium is expected to begin after the Gaels’ 2015 football season, and completed by fall 2016. The revitalization is the latest phase of the Fields & Stadium project supporting athletics and recreation through the construction of Nixon, Tindall, and Miklas-McCarney fields.

Plans for the revitalization were kicked off in March with the announcement of a $10 million pledge to the stadium project from Queen’s alumnus and former Gael Stu Lang and his wife Kim. That announcement was followed by news of a $5 million contribution from the Richardson Foundation. Other donors have also come forward to contribute to the project, bringing the total amount raised to more than $17 million. The university will contribute an additional $3 million for infrastructure support of the stadium, bringing the total funding to $20.27 million.

“I am very pleased that the board has approved the plan to proceed with a very exciting project for both the Queen’s and Kingston communities,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “A revitalized stadium will be a point of pride and further enhance health and wellness at Queen’s as well as the competitiveness of several of our sports programs.”

With board approval, the university will engage the Queen’s and Kingston communities in discussions around the stadium. A website dedicated to the project will be launched in early January, and public meetings will be held to solicit feedback.

The new stadium, which will be amongst the top facilities of its kind in Ontario, will include an artificial turf field, state-of-the-art scoreboard, and bowl-style seating. Temporary stands will be installed at the north end of the stadium, pending additional fundraising for a pavilion that will complete the bowl design. The revitalized stadium will be in the same location as the current stadium, and have a similar capacity of approximately 9,000. It will be home to the Queen’s soccer and football teams, and used by a number of other teams and clubs.

The Fields & Stadium Cabinet is chaired by Paul and Vicki Hand.

“We are incredibly grateful to our generous benefactors for making the dream of a revitalized Richardson Stadium a reality,” says Tom Harris, Vice-Principal (Advancement). “Without philanthropic support, this project would not be happening.”

The current stadium is in urgent need of revitalization. Originally built as a temporary facility more than 40 years ago, parts of the stadium date back to 1920, and it no longer meets the needs of student-athletes and spectators. In 2013, following an engineering report, sections of bleachers at the stadium were decommissioned and replaced with temporary seating. Without a revitalization the stadium would continue to deteriorate to the point where the university would have to invest significant resources to repair or renovate the existing structure.

“A revitalized stadium will be extremely beneficial to the health and wellness of all of our student-athletes, from varsity teams to recreational programs, and also be a great asset to our community partners,” says Leslie Dal Cin, Executive Director, Athletics and Recreation.

More details about the stadium’s design will be released as community engagement moves forward.

[rdavies]

Toronto Blue Jays hope new artificial turf for Rogers Centre will be their last (http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/13/toronto-blue-jays-hope-new-artificial-turf-for-rogers-centre-will-be-their-last/)
John Lott The National Post January 13, 2015

TORONTO – New artificial turf is coming to the Rogers Centre – possibly for the last time.

Crews are scheduled to install the new AstroTurf surface next month. The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to play on it through the 2017 season.

Team officials hope that by 2018, a natural grass surface and dirt infield will be in place following major renovations to accommodate irrigation, drainage and ventilation.

Meanwhile, the new artificial turf will represent an upgrade, said Stephen Brooks, the Jays’ senior vice-president of business operations. And the players should notice the difference.

“It will play a bit softer, which is the feedback we got from players when we asked them what they wanted,” Brooks said.

When the previous AstroTurf was installed, its granular base was a mix of sand and rubber pellets. With repeated removal and re-application of the rolls of turf, the sand compacted, making it difficult to distribute the infill evenly and groom the field before each homestand.

Before last season, the Jays removed the infill and replaced it with rubber pellets only. The new turf also contains pellets from recycled rubber tires.

As with previous iterations, the new turf will be taken up to accommodate non-baseball events and re-applied when the Jays play at home.

[rdavies]

Toronto Blue Jays want grass in the Rogers Centre: An inside look at the difficult growth process it requires (http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/13/toronto-blue-jays-want-grass-in-the-rogers-centre-an-inside-look-at-the-difficult-growth-process-it-requires/)
John Lott National Post January 13, 2015

Imagine: Sitting before you is a scale model of the Rogers Centre, roughly the size of a round roasting pan. Your challenge: to put a real baseball field in the stadium – natural grass with a dirt infield — by opening day 2018.

Your research has been thorough. Experts at the University of Guelph have determined the ideal species of grass. They have it growing on an Ontario sod farm. They say it will flourish indoors with the roof closed.

Under the right conditions, that is. Your job is to create those conditions.

So open the roof, reach in and toss out that artificial turf, which was new for the 2015 season. Haul out your jackhammer. Rip up the concrete. Install plumbing for irrigation and drainage. Dig some more to accommodate the sod and the dirt infield.

Close the roof. Strip that shiny skin from the four mammoth roof panels. It’s the original PVC membrane, circa 1989, and it’s worn out. While you’re at it, you might figure out a way to replace it with a material that lets in the light. Grass likes natural light, and right now, the closed dome shuts it out.

The scientists at Guelph say the grass will grow without natural light, but you’ll need lots of artificial light – enormous banks of mobile “grow lights” that sit about 10 feet off the ground and nourish the sod when the field is not in use. You’ll roll them around between games to focus on the worn spots, even after games played with the roof open.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2mex2e1.jpg

One more thing. Grass sweats. (Scientists call it transpiration.). Water from the roots vaporizes from the leaf surface into the air. All of that grass will create a lot of humidity, and you’ve got to figure out a way to get rid of that sticky air or the Rogers Centre will become a sweatbox with the roof closed. So you’ll need a dehumidifier. Forget Home Depot; you need a really big one.

Now you’re ready to install the grass.

Assuming, of course, that your engineers surmounted all of those challenges and you have the budget to make it happen.

***

Except for the 2018 deadline, all of the foregoing is fantasy. The grass is not growing. The University of Guelph has not begun the serious business of testing grass species. The Jays’ engineering team continues to investigate the enormously complex logistical challenges. They have visited stadiums in Milwaukee, Miami and Arizona, among others, to see how officials there have dealt with airflow and light issues.

Of course, there is a fundamental difference between the Rogers Centre and those facilities. Those other stadiums are baseball parks, engineered to grow grass. The Rogers Centre is a multi-use indoor entertainment facility engineered nearly three decades ago without grass in mind.

For a year or so, Guelph has been eager to strike a formal working agreement with the Jays. That deal might get done “within a week, give or take,” said Stephen Brooks, the Jays senior vice-president of business operations.

It has been a long time coming.

For three years, Blue Jays president Paul Beeston has spoken publicly about putting grass in the Rogers Centre. According to documents obtained by Blue Jays fan David Dowe through a Freedom of Information request, the Jays and Guelph officials have been in discussions since December 2013, when Guelph gave the club a detailed research proposal with timelines.

Dowe, who lives in Burlington, submitted his FOI request to Guelph, seeking details of the university’s discussions with the Jays. He received a series of emails with most of the information redacted, but showing that discussions have been ongoing for more than a year and that Guelph politely nudged the Jays about settling a formal agreement in January, April, May, June and September last year.

Asked whether the negotiations are stalled, Brooks demurred.

“I wouldn’t characterize it as a standstill,” he said. “This is a big project that has lots of moving parts. It requires negotiations between the two parties. It requires us to work through internally what that means to our business. Those things take time.”

The FOI request went to Guelph but the Blue Jays also took part in the redaction process. Brooks said the blacked-out sections covered “financial discussions between the parties and matters of a proprietary nature.” One of the financial issues: How much the Jays would pay Guelph for the grass-roots research.

In an interview, Brooks seemed confident that the 2018 deadline is achievable. But given the complexity of reverse-engineering a 26-year-old stadium, he added a caveat.

“We’re going through a process that is uncharted territory,” he said. “We don’t necessarily know yet what we’re going to find out about what has to be done from a humidity perspective, or from an airflow perspective. That’s going to resolve itself as we work through this.

“We’re targeting 2018. Could that change? As we go through this process, things could change. We don’t know just yet.”

Eric Lyons is eager to see the agreement signed so he can get started. The associate professor at Guelph will lead the research into testing various grass species, measuring the levels of humidity they produce and how they respond to artificial light, as well as their ability to withstand the rigors of a baseball season.

Lyons grew up near Pittsburgh and remains an ardent (and long-suffering) Pirates fan. He admits he might become a Blue Jays fan too. Mainly, he’s a fan of science and turf grass.

“I’m a scientist. I love baseball, I love sports, I love turf grass,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I want to do this?”

He envisions a two-stage process. The first, ending in May 2016, would generate the results of his research — the right grass for the job. Meanwhile, the Jays would continue their retrofit research. After Lyons submits his final report, it would be up to the Jays to decide whether to take the project forward.

“Growing this many plants indoors is going to require a huge investment in infrastructure,” Lyons said. “You can do these things cheaply. You can do them in a way that won’t last, or you can do them right. And [the Jays] want to know the cost of doing it right. That’s what they’ve expressed to me.”

Ideally, he would finish tests to determine the appropriate species and start growing it for the Rogers Centre this fall, for harvest in 2017. Then he would test it in a simulated environment under artificial light.

If all goes well, it would be installed early in 2018 and groomed for opening day. Like most clubs, the Jays would likely need to replace it at least once during the season, he said.

Growing the new sod in a warmer climate south of the border might speed up the maturation process, but creates potential problems as well. Truck transportation would take at least a day and any holdups at the border – importing plants is no breeze – could leave the sod in poor shape.

“I would grow it in Canada with a sod producer that is prepared to set up a system so that you can harvest sod in the winter under frozen ground,” Lyons said. “So we would have to set up hoop houses, heat them up, thaw the ground and harvest. That would be very expensive.”

Among the hurdles the Jays face, dealing with humidity may be the biggest.

“If it’s hot and humid in that stadium, no one’s going to want to go a game,” he said.

Assuming the Jays can handle the required retrofit, Lyons is confident the grass will flourish, and that players and fans will love it.

“We can do this,” he said. “I am certain that we can. It’s just whether or not it’s feasible for the Blue Jays to want to do it. That’s what we’re going to help them answer.

“The question is, how much is it going to cost?”

David Dowe contributed reporting to this story.

[rdavies]

And so ends the whole BS legal action saga with the compromise below.

Weber: B.C. Place to get new turf in time for FIFA Women's World Cup (http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Weber+Place+turf+time+FIFA+Women+World/10738704/story.html)
Marc Weber, The Province January 18, 2015

http://i60.tinypic.com/10yf9ua.jpg
Photograph by: Arlen Redekop file photo, PNG

B.C. Place will have a new artificial turf in time for the FIFA Women's World Cup in June.

Plans to replace the current surface, installed in 2011, are in the final stages with the changeover set for May, the Province has learned.

High-profile MLS players and coaches have criticized the B.C. Place turf over the years, both for how it plays and for how unforgiving it is on the body.

Robbie Keane once called it "stupid."

More recently, it was singled out by a group of top female internationals who've launched a complaint against FIFA and the CSA, claiming that playing the Women's World Cup on turf amounts to gender discrimination.

But the existing turf was expected to retain its required FIFA 2 Star rating, and the impetus for change is as much about versatility and aesthetics.

Along with FIFA's approval, the new synthetic surface will also meet World Rugby (formerly IRB) standards. That opens the door for B.C. Place and Vancouver to host major international rugby events.

Rugby Canada and the Canada Sevens Bid Committee announced last year a formal submission for Vancouver to host an HSBC Sevens World Series event starting in 2016.

The height of the upright synthetic blades — known as pile height — has to be a minimum of 60mm for World Rugby-sanctioned events. The existing B.C. Place turf is only 40mm, which is more common for soccer.

But the soccer crowd has no concerns about the switch. And if the ball moves a fraction slower on the turf, it will be welcomed by those who've described the current experience as like playing on concrete.

The Caps already train occasionally on a 65mm turf field at Thunderbird Stadium. They're putting another one down on Wolfson Field at UBC.

Turf maintenance and watering techniques are far more crucial for quality of play, experts say, and B.C. Place has recently invested in a Zamboni-like watering machine, as well as a higher-end cover system to protect the field from the weight of so many non-sporting events at the Dome.

As for the look of the field, with the world watching in June and July the CSA had serious concerns about the TV broadcasts.

B.C. Place is set to host the Women's World Cup final, along with group games, two Round of 16 matches, and a quarterfinal.

The brown infill pellets currently make for ugly viewing and are expected to be replaced by green ones. The turf's colour could also get a tweak.

So while FIFA officials say the players won't get their wish for temporary grass, organizers will at least hope to create the illusion of the real stuff for the viewer.

Almost 63 million people tuned into the 2011 Women's World Cup final between the U.S. and Japan, according to FIFA.

The current B.C. Place turf — installed at a cost of around $1.2 million — is a product of Polytan, a German-based company that claims the most FIFA 2 Star re-certifications worldwide.

The changeover is likely slated for mid-to-late May.

The Whitecaps are home to Seattle on May 16 and then hit the road before hosting Salt Lake on May 30.

B.C. Place hosts its first two Women's World Cup matches on June 8.

[rdavies]

The first phase of the Regina Revitalization Initiative, new Mosaic Stadium, continues to be on schedule (August 2016). Construction is approximately 22 per cent complete.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPBrVZd6f0g

[rdavies]

Stadium one-fifth complete | Video (http://www.leaderpost.com/Stadium+fifth+complete+Video/10771801/story.html)
Natascia Lypny, Leader-Post January 30, 2015

REGINA - Regina’s new stadium is 22 per cent complete, with progress helped and hurt by Saskatchewan’s fluctuating winter temperatures.

“Mid-January has been great for construction,” said Sean Hamelin, PCL Construction Management’s district manager, in his first update of the new year.

“The warm weather has been great. If you asked anybody working on this site, they would say that they’ve loved the warm weather. It does help productivity: Things happen faster and you can work longer when the weather is nice.”

By contrast, the end of December and beginning of January saw some days so cold the four cranes towering over the site couldn’t operate.

“This is very challenging project — complex, fast-paced — but with all the good people on it it’s a lot of fun for everybody to get up and go to work each day,” said Hamelin.

Despite a light dusting of snow, the stadium is taking shape as a veritable building now, with the multi-hued tarps covering the sprouting structure making it nearly as colourful as its Taylor Field predecessor. If you’re walking by, you’ll see the most progress on the southeast corner, although the west side is being built up as well.

PCL is tackling the stadium with a “design-build” approach, meaning designs are drafted concurrently with construction.

“I am very pleased to say that the design is progressing very well, staying ahead of construction so that it happen in a very fluid and efficient manner,” said Hamelin.

The design of the structure is complete, and Hamelin expects the design of the rest of the facility will be sketched in the next three to four months.

For those of you weather-wary folks, the stadium will be outfitted for both Mother Nature’s winter and summer extremes.

The sunken bowl will be designed to allow heavy rainfall to seep though, then be pumped into the city’s storm system. Though the partial roof isn’t heated, it will have a mechanical system to break up snow accumulation as it slips down to the perimeter.

Although Mayor Michael Fougere didn’t attend the stadium tour this time, he is excited by the progress he sees: “Every time you walk by, drive by, you see another element just building up out of the ground.”

Earlier this week, city council approved a development approach for the rail yard renewal project, a part of the Regina Revitalization Initiative, so that planning can begin for that area as well.

[rdavies]

Progress on Regina stadium puts build 86 yards from end zone (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/progress-on-regina-stadium-puts-build-86-yards-from-end-zone-1.2937099)
Stadium should be substantially complete by August 2016, officials say
CBC News Jan 29, 2015

Officials say progress on the construction of a new stadium in Regina is about 22 per cent complete which — measured on a football field — puts the project about 86 yards from the end zone (assuming they started from the opposite end zone 110 yards away).

"This is a very challenging project," Sean Hamelin, a manager for the construction company PCL, said Thursday. "You don't build a stadium every day."

He said some of the structural components are complex. As well, the logistics are complicated because the design of the facility is being done just ahead of the actual build.

http://i58.tinypic.com/119vucn.jpg

Despite a few very cold days in December and early January, Hamelin said the recent warmer weather has been good.

"If you ask anybody working on the site, they'll tell you they love the warm weather," he said. "It does help productivity. Things happen faster."

Hamelin said the progress of the build is line with the facility being ready for the 2017 football season. The goal is to have the building substantially complete by August of 2016.

"We're right where we want to be," he said.

Hamelin noted the following statistics on the project, since work started in June of 2014:

- 12,000 cubic metres of concrete has been poured.
- 1,200 tonnes of reinforcing steel has been used at the site.
- 190 tradespeople are currently working on the stadium each day.
- A total of 189,700 hours have been logged by the PCL construction team on the project to date.

Hamelin said foundation work in the lower bowl will start in February.

The $278-million stadium was announced in July of 2012 and is being built on the city's exhibition grounds, known as Evraz Place.

[rdavies]

So to reiterate, there will be three new artificial turf playing surfaces in the CFL for the 2015 season: Toronto (Rogers Centre), Edmonton and Vancouver.

Regina has the oldest FieldTurf installation in the league at seven years (due to be replaced by the new stadium in the fall 2016/spring 2017). The end of life cycle for the product generally begins at eight years. The next oldest is Winnipeg at not yet two years so the playing surface situation in the CFL is good.

Newest to oldest artificial turf installations

May 2015 Edmonton - TBA
May 2015 Vancouver - TBA
February 2015 Toronto (Rogers Centre) - AstroTurf 3D Xtreme
July 2014 Hamilton - FieldTurf Revolution
June 2014 Ottawa - FieldTurf Revolution
May 2014 Moncton - FieldTurf Revolution
April 2014 Calgary - FieldTurf Revolution
May 2013 Montreal (Percival Molson) - FieldTurf Revolution
October 2012 Winnipeg - FieldTurf Revolution (installed previous to opening in 2013)
May 2007 Regina - FieldTurf

[Argocister]

Thanks rdavies for the updates.
On one hand it's nice they are getting new turf .... On the other hand .... Do we have to host events? Hopefully the return is beneficial.

[ArgoRavi]

As 1argoholic has been saying all along, it sounds like it will be a very difficult and expensive task to get grass into SkyDome.

[Argocister]

As 1argoholic has been saying all along, it sounds like it will be a very difficult and expensive task to get grass into SkyDome.

I think 1argoholic should put a proposal together to assist putting grass in the Skydome ...... It might cost rogers about 20 mill though .......10 for 1argoholic and 10 for the Argos

[1argoholic]

I'd gladly grab some cash off Rogers. hahaha.

It's very easy for folks like Beaston to sound off about sod in the dome but the reality will be so expensive. Just the fact that the dome doesn't have proper drainage alone makes this a massive construction issue. It's not like they just have to rip up the turf and toss a few yards of soil and sod on top.

Frankly I'm sick of Rogers in every aspect.

[ArgoRavi]

I'd gladly grab some cash off Rogers. hahaha.

It's very easy for folks like Beaston to sound off about sod in the dome but the reality will be so expensive. Just the fact that the dome doesn't have proper drainage alone makes this a massive construction issue. It's not like they just have to rip up the turf and toss a few yards of soil and sod on top.

Let's assume that they are dead set on getting the grass into SkyDome in time for the 2018 baseball season which would be April, 2018. Let's also assume that the Argos get into BMO in time for the 2016 or 2017 seasons. The Jays will finish playing the 2017 season in early October or late October if they make the playoffs. That leaves Rogers with five months to do all that will be needed to do to get grass into that stadium. Is that even remotely enough time for such a massive job?

[AngeloV]

LThat leaves Rogers with five months to do all that will be needed to do to get grass into that stadium. Is that even remotely enough time for such a massive job?

I would think yes (but still hope I'm wrong and it would be a disaster). They did in in the Siverdome for the '94 World cup...even if that was just temporary.

[T-Bone]

Ron Lemieux 'extremely disappointed' about Investors Group Field problems (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ron-lemieux-extremely-disappointed-about-investors-group-field-problems-1.2981173)

[ArgoZ]

I would think yes (but still hope I'm wrong and it would be a disaster). They did in in the Siverdome for the '94 World cup...even if that was just temporary.

Real grass has been inside the dome the last few years for soccer games. A more permanent solution would take time but it could be done tommorow if $ was no object.

[rdavies]

Perhaps the opening salvo in the hopes of a new stadium for Calgary.

Ken King in studio with Boomer & Rhett (http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/boomer-morning/ken-king-in-studio-w-boomer-rhett/)
Sportsnet Staff September 23, 2014,
The President and CEO of the Calgary Flames joins the morning show in studio for a full hour; King talks players, offseason changes in and around the team, the continuing climb towards a new arena and much more.

"It (Calgary ownership group) will soon include an extraordinarily ambitious building project that extends far beyond an arena. The first drawings I have in my office are from 2007...Edmonton is in the ground (new arena), this is not a "me too" thing.

When we come forward and it will be soon, I believe the following will happen: the financial structure for it,...lots of equity from the ownership group, lots of creative approaches, the location is..., wouldn't it be cool if there was a serious fieldhouse... the best before date for McMahon Stadium might be closing in, and clearly the Scotiabank Saddledome needs to be replaced so if you could imagine what could take place.

We're seeing some local groups, talking to them about the project, we want to garner general support, we want to have the answers to all the questions people will ask before they ask them and that's really the work we're doing now.

I think there are some cities that have multiple facilities together, I'm not sure if any of them will be as dramatic as this in terms of the collective efficiency of what we're trying to do, if we can do it.

Architects have been working on this for a long time but if we can pull it off I think it will be one of the most transformational projects in this city for the next 50 years."Well, this could be it. Rumours of a Calgary entertainment complex (including a new stadium) look to be revealed soon. Hope this isn't a false alarm for a stadium announcement and that it is only a new arena (if that wan't enough)

Flames to debut arena plans soon, won't 'steal money' from city: King (http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/flames-poised-to-reveal-plans-for-downtown-arena)
Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald March 5, 2015

By month’s end, Calgarians should know where the Calgary Flames want to build their next arena and how they hope to pay for it — a proposal CEO Ken King has been devising since at least 2007.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s office has confirmed King will give him a sneak preview within the next two weeks, before he finally unveils to the public the team’s vision for a new downtown complex to replace the Saddledome.

Depending on what sort of government financial assistance Flames owners are seeking, this announcement stands to thrust Calgary into years of public debate, if Edmonton’s arena saga is any guide.

“I think people will love what they see and they’ll like the funding mechanism, so they’ll like the whole package, I really believe that,” King told KISS 95.9 radio station Thursday. He also said he’ll release plans in a “couple of weeks.”

The team owners’ frontman declined an interview to clarify what sort of shape his funding plan will take. He did, however, rule out one potential method.

“Before any of your listeners have conniptions, when you see our project, people are just going to love it. And we’re not going to sneak in here and steal money from the city,” King told the radio hosts.

City councillors have pre-emptively narrowed his options further.

The 15 members are almost uniformly opposed to redirecting scarce infrastructure dollars at a professional sports facility, though other options may be on the table.

“The best option perhaps is just going to be making land available, but no dollars. Because there are no dollars,” said Coun. Ward Sutherland, vice-chair of council’s priorities and finance committee.

Even free land is a tough sell for several council members. Nenshi is wary of a land giveaway, especially in high-value areas like West Village, the city-owned lands around the Greyhound station where it’s widely perceived the Flames want to develop.

“I’ve always said that I’m open to having a conversation on anything, but wherever there is public contribution there has to be very significant public benefit,” Nenshi said in a brief interview Thursday. “I’m not interested in public money subsidizing solely private profit.”

He refused to elaborate on what he deems public benefit. King has said he’ll pitch an “extremely ambitious” project and has hinted it will offer more than an arena, to give it wider appeal. The rumour mill has brimmed with ideas such as an amateur sports field house and a new Stampeders football stadium.

According to documents the Herald reported on in November, King and the mayor’s office have previously discussed locating the complex in West Village, the expanse of car dealerships and the Greyhound station west of downtown. It’s earmarked for eventual redevelopment on par with East Village, though the land is easily big enough to fit a hockey barn, within walking distance of the Sunalta LRT.

The Flames have been seriously planning a replacement for the Saddledome since at least 2007, and in earlier days looked at staying within Stampede Park. Back then, King had predicted his team would be skating in a new home by 2014.

But as Oilers owner Daryl Katz navigated through a years-long civic funding struggle and began construction on Rogers Place in the meantime, the Flames organization has been mired in site selection wrangling and study.

The Saddledome, completed in 1983, will be the oldest arena in the National Hockey League once new venues are completed in Detroit and Edmonton, and the New York Islanders move to new digs in Brooklyn. Flames brass bemoan that its lower bowl is too small, and it lacks the luxury box space that newer venues boast.

The saddle-shaped roof has also become a huge headache for large concert organizers. Touring acts like Maroon 5, Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift have booked Edmonton’s Rexall Place and skipped Calgary. In fact, that’s the issue that prompted King to take to the airwaves Thursday, on a pop music station that’s running a ticket giveaway Friday for tickets to see Madonna in Edmonton.

On funding, King cannot count on the provincial or federal governments for assistance if Calgary stymies him, as they didn’t contribute to the arena in Edmonton.

City councillors there agreed to cough up nearly three-quarters of the costs for the Oilers’ $480-million downtown complex, though not through direct grants. Most of it will come from a city-levied ticket tax, parking revenue and a community revitalization levy which is paid for through property taxes on future downtown Edmonton developments and reassessed buildings.

The Flames haven’t found as willing a partner in the mayor’s office as Oilers owner Daryl Katz had with Stephen Mandel, the capital’s former mayor. In 2011, Nenshi rejected King’s request to strike an independent committee to study the need of a new arena.

“The mayor said, ‘Well, show me a presentation,’ and as he is aware we’ve had a lot of conversations with him,” King said Thursday. “I think in fairness to him, he’s the first person that should see the fully fleshed plan.”

Nenshi’s office, which boasts about publishing his meeting list every few months, would not disclose the schedule date for his sit-down with Flames officials.

[rdavies]

Tks to Migs at SkyscraperPage.com

New Regina Stadium

http://i58.tinypic.com/28s6qq.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2eo8ylx.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/214pfh2.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2julpv.jpg

[rdavies]

A new hockey arena? A new stadium? Speculation flies after city snaps up GSL land on the westside of downtown. (http://calgaryherald.com/storyline/a-new-hockey-arena-a-new-stadium-speculation-flies-after-city-snaps-up-gsl-land-on-the-westside-of-downtown)
Calgary Herald.com February 12, 2015

The area, bounded by the Bow River to the north and Crowchild Trail to the west, has huge development potential.

Mario Toneguzzi has the details.

The City of Calgary now officially owns the GSL land on the western outskirts of downtown leading to speculation on what it plans to do with its real estate holdings of more than 12 hectares in the area along Bow Trail.

A new home for the Calgary Flames and perhaps even the Calgary Stampeders?

Or a development called West Village similar to the mixed-use project coming out of the ground in East Village now.

Jillian Henderson, spokeswoman for the City of Calgary, confirmed the city has purchased the more than four-hectare GSL land, at 1720 Bow Trail S.W., from General Supplies Co. Ltd. for about $36.9 million.

“The reason that this parcel was purchased was actually more of an opportunity acquisition,” said Henderson.

“There’s the whole west downtown redevelopment piece that went to council and so we just saw that as an opportunity acquisition and it may be used for municipal use down the road or it may not, but that’s really why the land was purchased.”

Among other parcels of land in the area, the city also owns the Greyhound site, which is nearly two hectares.

Ken King, president and chief executive of the Calgary Flames, said he could not make any comments about the site or future plans by the organization.

Richard White, an urban strategist with Ground3 Inc. Landscape Architects, said the potential for development in that area is huge.

“It’s on the west side. It’s got great exposure to the river. It’s got great exposure to the pathway and eventually to Edworthy Park,” said White.

“It’s closer to both universities (Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary), which are just 10 minutes away . . . . But it also comes with a lot of complications. The spaghetti network of roads . . . The infrastructure of roads and how important they are as commuter routes make it difficult to create a true village there.

“We all know the Flames have talked about how whether that’s a place for an arena and a football stadium, which is what I’m hearing. They would actually do both,” said White.

“Potentially it’s an area for maybe a new convention centre. If you were really thinking big, do you move the Convention Centre and create what’s called a SHED — which is a Sports, Hospitality, Entertainment District?”

White said the area could also make a “wonderful” residential district.

“They’re sitting there on the river, on an LRT station. Any piece of land that’s close to downtown has great potential.”

Tom Dixon, manager of real estate, transportation and logistics with Calgary Economic Development, said every piece of development is in the context of the larger plan for the city and the existing structures.

“When you look at West Village, it’s in many ways a potential development that parallels in many respects East Village with Calgary’s intensive office core right in the middle,” he said.

“The success in East Village with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and the residential, mixed-used development that’s aggressively underway there suggests to me that that model can potentially be matched on the West Village lands.

“We’ve already seen in the downtown how effectively the core has expanded onto 10th Avenue. That’s a new corridor with office and mixed-use development. You can see them under construction.

“I think what that means is the geographic barriers that have traditionally defined the downtown seem to be changing. Nobody’s going to reroute the river but maybe the West Village could be another part of reshaping the downtown core.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Insiders saying <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash">#Flames</a> proposal for West Village includes new arena and indoor stadium. <a href="https://twitter.com/FlamesFun">@FlamesFun</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLFlames">@NHLFlames</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CTVdawnwalton">@CTVdawnwalton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyHerald">@TonyHerald</a></p>&mdash; richard white (@everydaytourist) <a href="https://twitter.com/everydaytourist/status/575496133927030784">March 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[rdavies]

BMO Field Expansion - March 14, 2015

The final piece of the East Grandstand was installed on Thursday as development continues during Phase 1 (http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2015/03/14/bmo-field-expansion-march-14-2015#ooid=Z2ajAwdDqMSlWgPYlByvFkBF36FyKnro) of the BMO Field expansion.

[rdavies]

New Regina stadium coming along (mid March 2015)

http://i60.tinypic.com/2lclikw.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2h3wpsl.jpg

[rdavies]

Calgary Stampeders may ride Flames coattails to new stadium (http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/03/12/calgary-stampeders-may-ride-flames-coattails-to-new-stadium)
Scott Mitchell, Calgary Sun Thursday, March 12, 2015

As of today, the Calgary Stampeders are the furthest thing from the envy of the Canadian Football League when it comes to stadiums.

While each and every franchise has either built a brand new venue or poured significant resources into renovations that reach far beyond cosmetic improvements over the past few years, football fans in Calgary have been left out in the cold, with the defending Grey Cup champions still calling a creaky, uncomfortable, 55-year-old McMahon Stadium home.

But there's hope on the horizon.

When Calgary Flames president and CEO Ken King teased new arena plans last week, saying an announcement regarding plans for a new downtown building were "a couple of weeks" from being unveiled, the stadium aspect was lost in the shuffle in this hockey-mad city.

Make no mistake, however, the Stampeders are tagging along, and when the plans shrouded in mystery are finally announced, the football club will play a major role.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (estimated cost of $146 million) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (estimated cost of $209 million) have shiny new venues, while the Edmonton Eskimos, B.C. Lions, Ottawa RedBlacks and Montreal Alouettes have all poured huge dollars into refurbishing their respective stadiums.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders also have a new stadium on the way, which is currently slated to open in 2017 at an estimated cost of $278 million.

That leaves the Toronto Argonauts -- who wants to be mentioned in the same stadium conversation as that franchise right now? -- and the Stampeders as the only two organizations with iffy stadium situations, albeit for two much different reasons.

From a strictly football point of view, McMahon is perfectly capable of holding games well into the future, with new $1.35-million Field Turf laid down last spring.

But first downs and touchdowns are just part of the entertainment in this day and age, and McMahon lags in just about every aspect other than the view from your seat.

From a fan experience and comfort standpoint, despite dollars allocated to improve the in-game show last season with a new scoreboard and much-needed upgrades to amenities such as washrooms, concessions and cellphone reception, the University of Calgary-owned building pales in comparison to the raised bar around the league.

Former CFL commissioner Mark Cohon was pretty clear Calgary was next on the stadium to-do list when he visited McMahon in September 2013.

"This is still a great place, in terms of the environment, but as you see other venues and other stadiums being built, there's probably a little bit of jealousy that's going on with fans here," Cohon said.

"I don't have a timeline for what the ownership group wants to do here, but obviously, whether it's a retro-fit of this or a new stadium in part of their future plans, it is something we'd love to see."

King didn't offer much in the way of details last week in speaking with Calgary Sun columnist Michael Platt, other than the appetizer "people will love it."

Rumours have swirled over the new arena/stadium development anchoring a west-end makeover, while some prefer to believe it's bound for the the east end of downtown near the existing Saddledome.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi and city council are expected to get a look-see at the Flames' plans in the near future, but there are still more questions than answers, at this point, with funding models -- as always -- the key to everything.

Either way, football fans in this city now have something to look forward to.

If the arena is the main course, the stadium portion of the announcement is an extremely tasty side dish."

[rdavies]

This from Green Party at riderfans.com (http://www.riderfans.com/forum/showthread.php?128838-Stampeders-may-finally-get-new-stadium&p=3322075&viewfull=1#post3322075)

Spoke with someone who has seen the plans and both stadiums are going to be extremely impressive. I believe it will be a 2018 opening for the Stamps (so I am not sure if it will be 17-18 season for the Flames or 18-19 - I think it was 17-18). Flames new home will be a new standard for the NHL and will be able to accommodate some of the larger music acts that usually pass Calgary by . Stampeders will have a greatly increased capacity and will be comfortable at all times of year. Calgary will be a regular Grey Cup stop in the future. This will be an extremely exciting announcement!

And there is also this from Scott Mitchell of the Calgary Sun
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Football fans in Calgary are going to want to pay attention to Flames&#39; arena plans announcement. It definitely involves a new stadium. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a></p>&mdash; Scott Mitchell (@SUNMitchell) <a href="https://twitter.com/SUNMitchell/status/575800987056803840">March 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[1argoholic]

Getting back to Rogers and it's sod. I see this being a massive job as there has to be proper drainage installed. Skydome wasn't built with proper drainage for the field. Between drainage and where that excess water is supposed to flow, irrigation, lighting and some super sod that can withstand being in a dome. I just think the whole process is crazy but Rogers has crap loads of money that they can toss around. They surely don't give a rats ass about environmental concerns or waste. The water and electricity as well as maintenance costs will be crazy once sod is in. This is all a real crap shoot.

[Fumblitis]

Speaking of sod. I caught a glimpse of the Seattle/San San Jose MLS game on Saturday. I'm not sure if they play on field turf or not. You can clearly tell that gridiron football is played at Century Link field and I don't know how that takes away from the soccer experience. So I'm not sure what the Red Patch Boys are all up in arms about.

[T-Bone]

Speaking of sod. I caught a glimpse of the Seattle/San San Jose MLS game on Saturday. I'm not sure if they play on field turf or not. You can clearly tell that gridiron football is played at Century Link field and I don't know how that takes away from the soccer experience. So I'm not sure what the Red Patch Boys are all up in arms about.
It's FieldTurf (http://www.fieldturf.com/en/) at CenturyLink Field (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CenturyLink_Field) and it's stuff like this (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/wembley-pitch-has-been-completely-ruined--by-nfl-game-and-rain-9862487.html) that members of the RPB and other soccer fans don't want to see. Re-installing turf at BMO Field would be a huge step backwards for soccer in Canada and there is concerns that if current field standards can't be maintained when both teams are playing on it, it might be considered.

It's taken a long time for soccer to be taken seriously in Canada as can be seen in the video ArgoRavi posted here (http://www.argofans.com/showthread.php?179-Canadian-National-Teams-amp-International-Soccer&p=58531&viewfull=1#post58531) yesterday. If the situation was reversed and there was a soccer team possibly moving in to your stadium that could affect the football experience negatively would you not be concerned?

[Fumblitis]

It's FieldTurf (http://www.fieldturf.com/en/) at CenturyLink Field (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CenturyLink_Field) and it's stuff like this (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/wembley-pitch-has-been-completely-ruined--by-nfl-game-and-rain-9862487.html) that members of the RPB and other soccer fans don't want to see. Re-installing turf at BMO Field would be a huge step backwards for soccer in Canada and there is concerns that if current field standards can't be maintained when both teams are playing on it, it might be considered.

It's taken a long time for soccer to be taken seriously in Canada as can be seen in the video ArgoRavi posted here (http://www.argofans.com/showthread.php?179-Canadian-National-Teams-amp-International-Soccer&p=58531&viewfull=1#post58531) yesterday. If the situation was reversed and there was a soccer team possibly moving in to your stadium that could affect the football experience negatively would you not be concerned?Concerned perhaps. Abandoning my season tix as some RPB members have suggested? Not a chance.

[T-Bone]

Concerned perhaps. Abandoning my season tix as some RPB members have suggested? Not a chance.
The key word there is "some." You're always going to have some.

[rdavies]

New Regina stadium coming along (March 30 2015)

http://i60.tinypic.com/3134pc9.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/2pq1d01.jpg

[Fumblitis]

It's on schedule too!!! :)!!!!

[AngeloV]

It's on schedule too!!! :)!!!!

Nobody likes a show off.

:D

[rdavies]

If the situation was reversed and there was a soccer team possibly moving in to your stadium that could affect the football experience negatively would you not be concerned?The women's World Cup has taken over stadiums disrupting the CFL schedule and there hasn't been too much complaining. And as a fan of both games and especially the CWNT I'd be peed if there was any complaining. So it works both ways. And remember, even though most of those are civic owned stadiums (just like BMO) many of them wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the CFL.


Nobody likes a show off.I can't wait to see if Calgary Wally Pipp's Regina the way Regina did Winnipeg. Calgary is supposed to announce at the end of the month but nothing has been etched in stone, just rumour. Another rumour I heard was that it was a 1.5 billion dollar development. It is supposed to be done with private financing but they may be looking at getting the land from the city. It will really suck if the bureaucrats don't give them the land for this kind and quality of development being handed to them.

[Fumblitis]

Nobody likes a show off.

:DYou should be showing off your new stomping grounds too. Argos to BMO. It's happening. Book it!:hi:

[AngeloV]

You should be showing off your new stomping grounds too. Argos to BMO. It's happening. Book it!:hi:

Couldn't agree more. Hopefully, this long agonizing wait, results in a better reward (an actual ownership that knows what they are doing).

[Fumblitis]

Couldn't agree more. Hopefully, this long agonizing wait, results in a better reward (an actual ownership that knows what they are doing).Honestly I won't rest till MLSE buys the team. Even if they do get into BMO under Braley's watch.

[rdavies]

Flames' arena pitch includes new football stadium, amateur sports facility (http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/triple-play-flames-megaproject-pitch-includes-arena-stadium-amateur-sports-house)
Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald April 2, 2015

The Calgary Flames’ vision for its new arena project is a blockbuster that would take up several blocks’ worth of prime land west of downtown — bringing together a new hockey arena plus a football stadium and an amateur sports fieldhouse, the Herald has learned.

It’s a megaproject that could easily cost more than half a billion dollars, and features a component more likely to draw in civic funding support than if it were merely new stand-alone homes for the Flames and Stampeders.

By bundling in a fieldhouse designed for track meets, indoor soccer and other amateur sports, Flames CEO Ken King is proposing to build something on the top of the city’s own project wish list, and potentially gives the proposal the sort of public benefit that Mayor Naheed Nenshi has said is essential if city hall is to become a project partner.

The indoor multi-sport complex could make the Flames project more “palatable” to the city, said Jason Zaran, incoming chairman of the Calgary Multisport Fieldhouse Society.

“A multi-sport facility is needed in this town, and I think if they can be the ones to bring it to the table and get it done, it looks good on them as well,” Zaran said.

His group has been working with the city’s recreation department on a $202-million, publicly-funded development at Foothills Athletic Park, just north of McMahon Stadium. In February, city staff ranked it at the top of the city’s unfunded infrastructure projects.

King has offered the fieldhouse society a tantalizing Plan B — constructing the facility as part of the stadium for the Canadian Football League team, which the Flames own. According to one source familiar with the plans, the football complex and fieldhouse would be part of the same convertible building.

King shared his plans with Nenshi in mid-March, then the mayor relayed it to council in a closed-door session Monday evening, multiple sources have confirmed. But there’s still no formal proposal submitted to council, and it’s unclear when King will finally reveal the ambitious concept to the public, though he did say a month ago the release was a “couple of weeks” away.

This three-in-one idea spawns numerous questions pertaining to Stampede Park’s Scotiabank Saddledome, the University of Calgary’s McMahon lands, and, of course, the City of Calgary, whose West Village lands the Flames are said to covet.

Combining an arena with a stadium/fieldhouse takes up a much larger swath of the property around the Greyhound Station.

The city has been acquiring those lands for several years, and recently purchased the four-hectare GSL car dealership site for $36.9 million. But it’s never been for sports facilities. The land would become part of the West Village blueprint for a future community of condo highrises and office buildings, akin to what’s under development in East Village.

Several councillors have said they’d be open to giving the Flames free land for a new arena, though the Herald could not confirm whether that’s what Ken King is asking for. Nenshi and council unanimously oppose direct taxpayer subsidies for professional sports buildings, and King tried to head off talk of a massive funding request in a radio station interview last month.

“Before any of your listeners have conniptions, when you see our project, people are just going to love it. And we’re not going to sneak in here and steal money from the city,” he told KISS 95.9.

In a voicemail Wednesday, King said he’s not yet prepared to discuss the proposal, which he’s been working on since at least 2007.

“I’m still in the quiet zone,” he said.

The Flames organization now owns the Stampeders, Flames, Calgary Hitmen (minor-league hockey) and Calgary Roughnecks (lacrosse) — but they’re playing in some of their respective leagues’ oldest facilities, the 1960 McMahon Stadium and the 1983 Saddledome.

In Edmonton, the Oilers’ $480-million new arena will be complete by fall 2016. That city’s tax-backed loan, ticket tax and parking revenue will cover much of its cost.

Nenshi has been skeptical about the need for a new arena or for any city cost-sharing. In 2011, the mayor’s office refused to help set up an independent committee to study the project.

The mayor’s tone appears to have shifted slightly last month, after his meeting with King. When asked about the arena at a Rotary Club speech, Nenshi reiterated that it must have some public benefit if it’s to garner public funding, and he praised the Flames’ six owners as “deeply committed” to Calgary and thoughtful about their process.

“Whatever solution we end up with is a solution we’ll get with great respect for one another and figuring out together what’s best for the community,” Nenshi said.

[rdavies]

Montreal's Olympic Stadium needs $220M facelift, government report says (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-s-olympic-stadium-needs-220m-facelift-government-report-says-1.3016520)
Olympic park president says money would go to buildings, surrounding parking areas and public spaces
CBC News Mar 31, 2015

The Quebec government could soon be pouring more money into Montreal's Olympic Stadium.

An infrastructure report tabled with last week's provincial budget says the "Big O" needs $220 million in repairs over the next decade.

The original construction took 30 years to pay off and cost nearly $1.5 billion.

But Michel Labrecque, president of the Olympic park, said the latest repairs are necessary.

“We don't sink money,” Labrecque said. “It's the same as for bridges...We own it. We built it. We paid for it. We need to maintain it.”

Labrecque said the stadium hosted events on 180 days last year and another 250,000 people visited the Olympic tower.

He acknowledges some people would like to see the stadium torn down, but said that's out of the question.

“It's part of our history, and I cannot accept that 40 years after the Olympics, the only things we are looking for is to dismantle it,” he said.

The Quebec government report says the stadium roof is beyond repair. It hasn't yet decided whether it should spend millions to replace it or simply remove it.

Different options will be presented to the Olympic Park's board of directors and the tourism minister in the coming months.

[rdavies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5irpGYb0fkI

[rdavies]

Occupancy permit issued: Hamilton's new stadium nears the finish line (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/occupancy-permit-issued-hamilton-s-new-stadium-nears-the-finish-line-1.3036221)
CBC News Apr 16, 2015

It's a milestone 10 months in the making — at long last, the city has issued an occupancy permit for Tim Horton's Field.

The new stadium has been plagued by delays, including weather and issues with subcontractors. But on Thursday, city inspectors deemed the whole building safe to occupy.

"My staff have conducted a thorough inspection and can confirm that Tim Horton's Field meets all of the safety requirements for occupancy under the Ontario Building Code," said Ed VanderWindt, the city's chief building official.

It's a move that comes during a crunch time for Infrastructure Ontario, which has hired Ontario Sports Solutions to build the $145-million stadium.

The stadium still has to reach the substantial completion stage, which is when the city will take possession. This needs to happen by May 1, when police need to rehearse security plans for the 2015 Pan Am Games July 10 to 27. Hamilton will host the soccer games.

The project's initial target date was June 30, 2014. The delay caused the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to play a nearly their entire season at McMaster University.

It's about time a permit was issued, said Coun. Sam Merulla of Ward 4.

"It's the most delayed reaction to a city development that I can ever recall, so I would say congratulations on that," he said. "I don't know what to say except that it could have been done last year."

Merulla said he looks forward to closing this chapter, and to the city finally taking possession. He wants the stadium story to become a positive one.

"Hopefully now that permit has been issued, we can start afresh and look forward to the future, and look back on this as a learned experience."

The city previously thought that caulking issues would delay the occupancy permit. But that caulking work didn't impact the permit, the city said in a statement.

[rdavies]

Interesting video on the roofing material for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium that was mentioned in another forum thread about the new Calgary stadium. Rumours have the stadium being comfortable at all times of year so a transparent dome (not retractable) could be part of the design (speculation only)

Someone should be thinking about a solution using this product in conjunction with the Olympic stadium in Montreal.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aOY441p5u8

[rdavies]

Riders CEO sees recruiting edge to new stadium (http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+sees+recruiting+edge+stadium/10960040/story.html?hootPostID=445b430bc69147b6fff008a8f18d 62cc)
Construction 27 per cent complete
Kevin Mitchell, The Starphoenix April 10, 2015

Craig Reynolds says he was "absolutely blown away" when he wandered through Saskatchewan's most talked-about construction site last week.

Reynolds, the Saskatchewan Roughriders new president and CEO, toured the new Mosaic Stadium - which is 27 per cent complete - and says enough work's been done to put his imagination into play. He pictured with his mind how things would look; he envisioned fans, players and amenities.

"We feel quite strongly that this is going to be, for its size, the nicest outdoor, open-air stadium in North America," Reynolds told a Saskatoon audience at Thursday's North Saskatoon Business Association luncheon. "For its size, this is going to be an incredible facility." The Roughriders will play their first game at the stadium in the summer of 2017, but Reynolds said it will be "substantially complete" by the end of August in 2016. That will provide time to host test events, putting the facility through its paces before the primary tenants move in for good.

The Roughriders looked at other stadium projects that provided little time for adjustment and settled quickly on a preference.

"They allowed themselves no time to get settled; no time to test the facility," he said. "We were pretty firm we didn't want that to happen here."

The new 67,000-square-foot stadium, which has a footprint roughly double that of the current facility, will also include fan-friendly features like wider seats and five extra inches of leg room.

That space will also allow the Roughriders to merge all their operations into one facility. Reynolds, a University of Saskatchewan alumnus who takes over for the departed Jim Hopson, said team personnel are already talking about using the new Mosaic as bait to both attract and keep players and coaches.

"Average careers in the CFL are very, very short," Reynolds said. "They look to facilities as a differentiator and (ours) will be the finest in the CFL, bar none. It will be a real competitive advantage for us in recruiting and retaining the best coaches and the best players going forward. I was talking to (assistant general manager) Jeremy O'Day the other day and we're just starting now to see (renderings) of what the locker room's going to look like and what the training facility's going to look like and what the coaches' office is going to look like. We'll have a 100-person auditorium in there, we've got hydrotherapy rooms. Jeremy and I were talking about how we need to get those (renderings) in front of the players, because Jeremy's belief is it will make a difference right now when we're negotiating with folks, when we're trying to extend folks. Players are going to take a look at what facilities we're going to have in 2017 and they're going to say 'I want to be here.'

"It will be a huge differentiator for us."

[Argocister]

Now that the THF in Hamilton has been granted its occupancy permit ..... is it ready for a Grey Cup 2016?