5 pm Primetime Sports Interview with Bob McCown (Wed.Jan.29.14)
Leiweke: (On renovation of BMO Field) Want to think outside the box. Most impactful decision made in Toronto sports that will affect Toronto scene and all Toronto teams. Want to be a world class stadium. Spend 120 mill. Make the concourse and experience better. 30,000 stadium that can expand to 40,000 to host winter classic.
- Does it effect the CFL. Yes, it will mean the Argos will have an intimate 30,000 seat stadium.
- Not worried about buying Argos. Wants to fit the cities need in what they expect out of MLSE.
- Wants stands with rollers to keep intimacy for soccer and football because football has bigger dimensions. No football lines for soccer and no soccer lines for football.
- McCowan brings up how it runs a risk on field with football, ruins grass. Leiweke: Most stadiums in the world are multi purpose. They play football at Wembley. Matter of finding best practices. Could explore hybrid grass (real grass + synthetic grass, roots grow deeper).
- Wants to be able to make it perfect for both. Ways to do that now. Technology and Money allows them to make it perfect stadium for both.
- Renovation will allow us to put roof over all the seats.