Argo new practice facility in Downsview

[argotom]

I have it from a well placed source the Argos will "soon" announce how a new practice facility will be constructed for them to house the team and eventually all of the management offices at the Downsview park location.
Likely to be a rental or nudge nudge, wink wink owned by MLSE.

[Mulder]

Probably just waiting for CBA to be ratified! Not a shocker at all!

[argotom]

Here is the link, as it's starting to make sense!

http://www.torontofc.ca/trainingground

[Qman]

makes perfect sense. There is already a public turf field that they could use today plus the bubble goes up in the winter. I assume they will probably convert one of the private TFC fields to a private CFL field and build a complex (locker room, weight room, physio/medical, meeting, plus office space) next to it.

[BATKINSON001]

Awesome! I hope this happens soon

[1argoholic]

I just heard that the plans have changed and it's now going to be a twenty story condo complex to pack GTA streets with more cars. Joke!!

I'm sick of hearing this and that let's start seeing something concrete.

[gilthethrill]

Please forgive me for being a little slow....but are you gentlemen suggesting MLSE is about to purchase the Argos?

[argotom]

According to my source, the practice facility is a certainty and will occur even if MLSE does not buy the team.
If that happens, the team will merely rent.

[1argoholic]

Are you actually Marty York?

[AngeloV]

Are you actually Marty York?

Captain obvious answer: Would that not make him argomarty?

[Argocister]

Mmmmm..... Practice facility of the Toronto Argonauts!.... Am I dreaming?

[1argoholic]

It'll be a weedy, mosquito infested field with an old rusty school bus as the locker room. The coaches will have an old military issue tent for offices.

I still remember being so happy about Erindale as it was so close to home. I got to so many practices even stopping in on the way by during my lawn maintenance days.

Hopefully it all comes together for our Argos and looking back in a few years we can all laugh at how messed up things were.

[Argocister]

It'll be a weedy, mosquito infested field with an old rusty school bus as the locker room. The coaches will have an old military issue tent for offices.

I still remember being so happy about Erindale as it was so close to home. I got to so many practices even stopping in on the way by during my lawn maintenance days.

Hopefully it all comes together for our Argos and looking back in a few years we can all laugh at how messed up things were.

Wait t'go ! Spoil my dream.... I was thinking more along the lines of Edmontons or the Riders practice facilities. I saw a program on those last year. No wonder their teams want more in wages, and see the owners taking the spoils.
Truth be had though, you are probably right .... at least for the first couple years.

[Double Dare]

It'll be a weedy, mosquito infested field with an old rusty school bus.

Sounds like your back yard.

[Treblecharger1]

Look what I found:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_publisher/0EFr/content/id/1096397

[dmont]

Look what I found:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_publisher/0EFr/content/id/1096397

Oh wow, great find. I hope it's real. If so, its certainly the closest we've seen to a confirmation that the deal will happen.

[argonaut11xx]

Look what I found:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_publisher/0EFr/content/id/1096397

Owner ... Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

I find this the most interesting part

[BATKINSON001]

Owner ... Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

I find this the most interesting part

Well it is confirmed that the practice facility will be ready to go soon, my ticket rep and I were talking this morning... He is confident that the deal will happen at some point.

[Mightygoose]

Interesting find indeed. Hopefully this is a step towards an eventual deal to MLSE

[argotom]

My inside source also said the likelihood MLSE will eventually own the team.

[ArgoRavi]

My inside source also said the likelihood MLSE will eventually own the team.

I don't think that it is a matter of "if" but "when". However, it would be nice to see it happen sooner rather than later.

[1argoholic]

If and when MLSE ever buys the team it could get very interesting. Will more merch be available? Will season ticket prices skyrocket? Will we be stuck having to buy some strange season package deal including one of their other teams? It's been years since I was on the CNE grounds. Is there anything there other than buildings? Any restaurants near by yet? Will tailgating be allowed or is that just a big NO in Anal TO.

We may never be owned by MLSE. They just might make money off the Argos as renters. I need to hear good news about the whole Argonaut scene!!!

[Mulder]

http://www.argonauts.ca/article/argos-partner-with-mlse-to-build-new-practice-facility

[gilthethrill]

This is great news. Look forward to seeing it next year at Fan Day!

[T-Bone]

This is great news. Look forward to seeing it next year at Fan Day!
Two worlds colliding. I'm glad though that the team will have a practice facility to call home now. It will add stability for the coaches, players, and fans.

[Invader]

The Argonauts will license the Downsview CFL regulation turf football field already in place on the site. Offices for coaches will be housed within the current TFC facility.
That seems mighty cosy and nice of MLSE to house the Argo coach's offices in the current TFC facility? ;)

[Mightygoose]

This is a nice step in the right direction. Expected to be done sometime in August. Will still likley be done before Tim Horton's Field. :D

[ArgoRavi]

Chris Rudge weighs in on the importance of this deal and why MLSE ownership would be good for the Argos: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/cfl/argos-maple-leafs-sports--entertainment-partner-on-new-practice-facility-268471062.html

[ArgoZ]

I am most happy for the players. Finally a home without portables. It is so much more professional. Sounds like a decent place for fans too.

[rdavies]

TSN 1050: Game Night: Chris Rudge July 24 (http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/Chris%20Rudge.mp3)
Argos Executive Chairman and CEO Chris Rudge joins Game Night to discuss the Argo's agreement with MLSE to build a new training facility

A couple of interesting quotes from this, re: moving to BMO, Rudge said "If this deal doesn't get done there's something wrong in this town" re: using the business power of MLSE "the Argonaut franchise could be in the black in a couple of years, very easily"

Argos will be doing a deal with a high performance sport science organization (near the training centre) who train Olympic and world class athletes.

[Argo]

TSN 1050: Game Night: Chris Rudge July 24
(http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/Chris Rudge.mp3)Argos will be doing a deal with a high performance sport science organization (near the training centre) who train Olympic and world class athletes.

That is an interesting tidbit of information.

481

[Ron]

I need to hear good news about the whole Argonaut scene!!!

Would you know it even if you heard it? ;)

[1argoholic]

Yah nice Ron!! Like I'm the only person in Argoland who's been down about the Argonaut situation. Sorry if I'm not afraid to show my true feelings on here. No BS in me that's for sure.

I'm very happy that our team is now heading in the right direction after years and years of being kicked around.

[Rich]

MLSE spokesman Dave Haggith: " (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/argonauts-mlse-project-harbinger-things-come-201809171.html#more-id)MLSE recognizes the importance of the Argos in Toronto’s sporting and cultural landscape." (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/argonauts-mlse-project-harbinger-things-come-201809171.html#more-id)

[ArgoRavi]

MLSE spokesman Dave Haggith: " (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/argonauts-mlse-project-harbinger-things-come-201809171.html#more-id)MLSE recognizes the importance of the Argos in Toronto’s sporting and cultural landscape." (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/argonauts-mlse-project-harbinger-things-come-201809171.html#more-id)

Nice to hear from Dave Haggith. He was the Argos' media relations guy back in 2003 when the team went bankrupt and he was laid off. He even named his dog "Argo" as I recall.

[Argocister]

......... He even named his dog "Argo" as I recall.

Speaking of things named Argo .... There's a very cool all terrain vehicle with that name. We should have them as a sponsor so kids could ride the Argo pre-game.

Sorry for the diversion :)

[Mulder]

Speaking of things named Argo .... There's a very cool all terrain vehicle with that name. We should have them as a sponsor so kids could ride the Argo pre-game.

Sorry for the diversion :)

And a movie staring Ben Affleck!

[Argocister]

And a movie staring Ben Affleck!

There could be a spoof series.... With the Argonauts as the heroes! Don't know if Affleck would participate in the spoof though... As Ray?

Back to the thread topic .... I am looking forward to their facility opening. It would be cool to tour and see the place....and also see how many fans turn out for that .... With Argo rides and a video analysis of some of their game film.
I guess I'm just jealous of the Rouge et Noir opening fan day of their new stadium, of Ticats pep rally and sometime ... Hopefully this year .... Opening fan day of their facility ..... The Bombers had a similar thing last year.
Being at Downsview would make it more amenable for a family outing and picnic without too much cost.

[argofandave]

Speaking of things named Argo .... There's a very cool all terrain vehicle with that name. We should have them as a sponsor so kids could ride the Argo pre-game.

Sorry for the diversion :)
About 8 years ago, I saw a newspaper ad for the Argo ATV and mailed it to Keith Pelley. The Argos did have an Argo ATV on the sideline for one season (2006?) but that was it.

[gilthethrill]

About 8 years ago, I saw a newspaper ad for the Argo ATV and mailed it to Keith Pelley. The Argos did have an Argo ATV on the sideline for one season (2006?) but that was it.

I really miss that old football helmet that once roamed the sidelines at the EX....

[BATKINSON001]

I really miss that old football helmet that once roamed the sidelines at the EX.... the helmet car? Supposedly it was brought back this year but I haven't seen it.

[gilthethrill]

the helmet car? Supposedly it was brought back this year but I haven't seen it.

I had not heard that...perhaps it would not pass an E Test....

[argofandave]

the helmet car? Supposedly it was brought back this year but I haven't seen it.
It was definitely there for the game against Saskatchewan but didn't get used at all in the game against Calgary.

[1argoholic]

It was on the field against Sask. You have to score a td to see it so we won't see it again this year.

[Argocister]

I'm thinking this practice facility was very important for the team. I'm thinking a professional practice facility will only help keep the players and coaches enthused about playing in Toronto

[ArgoRavi]

After reading this article, it looks like the Argos' move to Downsview has been delayed by a couple of weeks and they have to find an alternative in the meantime as York has kicked them out: http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/12/cfl-blitz-officials-are-on-the-ball

[gilthethrill]

After reading this article, it looks like the Argos' move to Downsview has been delayed by a couple of weeks and they have to find an alternative in the meantime as York has kicked them out: http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/12/cfl-blitz-officials-are-on-the-ball

I can't say this is not a surprise. Construction delays happen all the time. Hopefully it's for only a couple weeks. More adversity for this team, but they always over come it.

[Neely2005]

New practice facility gives Argonauts some stability:


http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/09/new-practice-facility-gives-argonauts-some-stability

[Qman]

I've been on that field. Its pretty nice.
Anyone been out to see the setup

[Mulder]

Just saw some pictures online. Hopefully more get posted of the building/field etc

[Neely2005]

Post # 88:

http://www.argofans.com/showthread.php?2887-Concerning-tweets-from-Arash-Madani/page5

[Qman]

I remember the turf is really nice.
only issue is I believe the field had a running track around it. If i remember correctly i think its light blue .. so i might be a good sign for the argos

[jerrym]

New practice facility gives Argonauts some stability:


http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/09/new-practice-facility-gives-argonauts-some-stability

Thanks. Its great to finally get some good news about the Argos and to read an article about them that isn't full of condescension and negativism.

[DoubleBlue1873]

Good article. To my knowledge, Zicarelli is the only non-TSN Toronto-based sports writer that writes objectively about the Argos, calling a spade a spade but never kicking them gratuitously. He's pretty much the only one of the Toronto crowd I bother to read any more.

[ArgoRavi]

Good article. To my knowledge, Zicarelli is the only non-TSN Toronto-based sports writer that writes objectively about the Argos, calling a spade a spade but never kicking them gratuitously. He's pretty much the only one of the Toronto crowd I bother to read any more.

Of course, there aren't many options besides Zicarelli. Curtis Rush covers the Argos for the Star but there aren't nearly as many articles in that paper about the Argos as there are in the Sun. The Globe and Mail and National Post are no longer options for Argo coverage.

[Argocister]

Good article. To my knowledge, Zicarelli is the only non-TSN Toronto-based sports writer that writes objectively about the Argos, calling a spade a spade but never kicking them gratuitously. He's pretty much the only one of the Toronto crowd I bother to read any more.

That does make the media coverage for the Argos a sad state of affairs.