BMO Renovation

[bluto]

They expect the work will be ongoing until August.

Improved Playing surface. 10k temporary seats on the North side. 7k temporary seats on South side. 45k capacity. New Videoboards. Better Audio. Self-Serve at concessions. Better Wi-fi. Improved Kitchens. New 1k capacity rooftop patio. New Lounge.

$150M (23M from MLSE the rest from the gub'mint)

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/03/bmo- ... world-cup/

[argolio]

Why no money from Queen's Park or Ottawa? This isn't a local event.

[bluto]

Why no money from Queen's Park or Ottawa? This isn't a local event.

Not to make this a political thread, although it seems intertwined with the topic, but the Governments of Canada and Ontario give Billions in transfers to the City.

[shayman]

Also Gate 1 will be closed during construction and there won't be a route across the north end of the stadium so that's going to be .... fun. Presumably the pregame Shipyard stuff will have to go somewhere else temporarily.

Short term pain for, I hope, long term gain.

[bluto]

Also Gate 1 will be closed during construction and there won't be a route across the north end of the stadium so that's going to be .... fun. Presumably the pregame Shipyard stuff will have to go somewhere else temporarily.

Short term pain for, I hope, long term gain.

I suppose. I guess that for all of the hassle of construction this season, the optics of having 17k fans in a 45k stadium, and what will inevitably be the worst schedule we've ever seen in our lives next year we get:

-New Video and Audio
-Rooftop Patio and a Lounge
-Improved playing surface
-Some self-serve at concessions
-Better kitchens
-and better Wi-Fi (didn't even know we had this available)

I hope I really love the new amenities... but my gut tells me that I'd rather not have construction and a crap 2026 schedule.

[paulwoods13]

The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19. If it were this year, that's essentially weeks two through seven of the season. However, the last game in Toronto is scheduled for July 3, and in Vancouver for July 7. So the CFL teams should be able to be back in their own buildings as early as the weekend of July 10. I'm guessing both teams will get a couple of bye weeks and might have to play a neutral-site "home" game. We might end up with eight home games over the final 14ish weeks of the season.

[TrueBlueGuy]

Also Gate 1 will be closed during construction and there won't be a route across the north end of the stadium so that's going to be .... fun. Presumably the pregame Shipyard stuff will have to go somewhere else temporarily.

Short term pain for, I hope, long term gain.

sucks a bit that so many of us come by GO and for us, Gate 1 is our closest entry spot, but it is what it is...
We are Argofans, we can handle any adversity thrown at us! Loud + Proud.
Just remember to wear comfortable walking shoes!

[shayman]

and what will inevitably be the worst schedule we've ever seen in our lives next year

That'll be quite a challenge, considering we had a season with a home opener in Fort McMurray, multiple "home" games in Hamilton and Ottawa, and even one season where we hit for the cycle by playing a home game on every day of the week.

[bluto]

and what will inevitably be the worst schedule we've ever seen in our lives next year

That'll be quite a challenge, considering we had a season with a home opener in Fort McMurray, multiple "home" games in Hamilton and Ottawa, and even one season where we hit for the cycle by playing a home game on every day of the week.

Lowering my expectations on purpose over here, Dictator.

[gilthethrill]

and what will inevitably be the worst schedule we've ever seen in our lives next year

That'll be quite a challenge, considering we had a season with a home opener in Fort McMurray, multiple "home" games in Hamilton and Ottawa, and even one season where we hit for the cycle by playing a home game on every day of the week.

I recently attended an Argo function at U of Guelph to celebrate the Argos holding TC this upcoming season. The Mayor of Guelph was in attendance and said a few words. He eluded to the city welcoming the Argos for an extended period in 2026 due to the World Cup.