Bmo Field Expansion

[Super]

I believe Paul Beirne already said that it would cost in excess of $40 million to put a roof on BMO. Reason is that the structure would require significant reinforcement, and we also have the problem with the difference in the stands as well. Basically BMO is a fucked up stadium and the only thing that will bring Toronto FC (as far as the stadium goes) up to level with most other teams in the league is to build a new one CORRECTLY. But that won't happen. As a result THOUSANDS of people choose not to show on game day, and I think we'll just continue to implode.

It really is amazing how incompetent the FO has been since day one. The worst part is that they still don't see how the image of TFC includes the shit stadium - and they refuse to do anything about it (even with billion dollar companies owning them). It's fine if they choose not to invest, but then don't expect people to show up, or players to want to play for us.

[james]

I believe Paul Beirne already said that it would cost in excess of $40 million to put a roof on BMO. Reason is that the structure would require significant reinforcement, and we also have the problem with the difference in the stands as well. Basically BMO is a fucked up stadium and the only thing that will bring Toronto FC (as far as the stadium goes) up to level with most other teams in the league is to build a new one CORRECTLY. But that won't happen. As a result THOUSANDS of people choose not to show on game day, and I think we'll just continue to implode.

It really is amazing how incompetent the FO has been since day one. The worst part is that they still don't see how the image of TFC includes the shit stadium - and they refuse to do anything about it (even with billion dollar companies owning them). It's fine if they choose not to invest, but then don't expect people to show up, or players to want to play for us.

$40 million to renovate the stadium still shouldn't be out of MLSE's range. I mean teams like Kansas and New York must be paying $150 - $200 million for there stadiums. BMO cost what $60 million? (how it could even cost that much i don't know) But you add $40 - $80 million to really renovate the stadium doe's not put our cost way above every single stadium in MLS.

[ryan]

How much of that $60M came from MLSE? It's a city owned stadium...?

[glaze]

I don't think it would be too expensive to build a new east or south stand. Surely it wouldn't be difficult to remove the metal bleachers that are currently in place.
I think Winnipeg is a decent example of the new trend where stuff is constructed off site, then pieced together. I know thats been a knock against our current stadium, but clearly we went for the discount model the first time around.
Stadiums in the UK were built at different stages, it gives the place a bit of character to have different grandstands.
A recent example in MLS example would be portland. That used to be a baseball stadium.
Either way, stadium talk really is just a distraction right now. The first priority is fixing whats happening on the field.

[Abou Sky]

Ahhh Screw it!

Let's just wait a few years until things are a little better financially...
Then, if all is still going well, we simply build a new beautiful stadium and give BMO to the Argos!

Love it!

Didn't they close down Ontario Place? Maybe on the island there?

Or.... maybe in the east end so I can stumble home... Plenty of space north of Unwin at Cherry.

[DoubleUp]

I don't think it would be too expensive to build a new east or south stand. Surely it wouldn't be difficult to remove the metal bleachers that are currently in place.
I think Winnipeg is a decent example of the new trend where stuff is constructed off site, then pieced together. I know thats been a knock against our current stadium, but clearly we went for the discount model the first time around.
Stadiums in the UK were built at different stages, it gives the place a bit of character to have different grandstands.
A recent example in MLS example would be portland. That used to be a baseball stadium.
Either way, stadium talk really is just a distraction right now. The first priority is fixing whats happening on the field.

[Just One Man]

Maybe we should look into stadium contraction?

[narduch]

How much of that $60M came from MLSE? It's a city owned stadium...?

I believe MLSE chipped in $10 million, which was promptly made back with the stadium naming rights alone.

[boban]

I believe MLSE chipped in $10 million, which was promptly made back with the stadium naming rights alone.

MLSE chipped in $18 million of the $62 million.
$10M of the $18 m was in the form of what essentially come out to be a loan as themoney was recovered from the selling of the naming rights to the stadium. Actually MLSE made $17 M from that particular transaction.
The city of Toronto got hosed on that part.
City owned or not its a travesty that MLSE was not made to contribute more financially.
The new Houston stadium is owned by the county, but the owners put in 100% of the construction cost ($95M).

[ryan]

So MLSE spent nothing on our digs. Brilliance.

[prizby]

MLSE chipped in $18 million of the $62 million.
$10M of the $18 m was in the form of what essentially come out to be a loan as themoney was recovered from the selling of the naming rights to the stadium. Actually MLSE made $17 M from that particular transaction.
The city of Toronto got hosed on that part.
City owned or not its a travesty that MLSE was not made to contribute more financially.
The new Houston stadium is owned by the county, but the owners put in 100% of the construction cost ($95M).

technically (not including "loan" interest costs), TFC has made $4.4 million off of selling the naming rights through to the end of April. Of course, no idea how BMO pays for it (monthly, yearly, 1 lump sum), and whether MLS gets a cut of it or revenue sharing gets a cut of it

[james]

I don't think it would be too expensive to build a new east or south stand. Surely it wouldn't be difficult to remove the metal bleachers that are currently in place.
I think Winnipeg is a decent example of the new trend where stuff is constructed off site, then pieced together. I know thats been a knock against our current stadium, but clearly we went for the discount model the first time around.
Stadiums in the UK were built at different stages, it gives the place a bit of character to have different grandstands.
A recent example in MLS example would be portland. That used to be a baseball stadium.
Either way, stadium talk really is just a distraction right now. The first priority is fixing whats happening on the field.

yup all old UK soccer stadiums were built, added to, renovated, demolished and rebuilt stand by stand often at different time periods and really did make many stadiums what they are today, unique. And Portland is a perfect example and probably have the best stadium in MLS. So i don't have a problem adding and renovating to BMO stand by stand, i would just like to see it being done or have future plans to in the next few years. Will that happen? who knows

[GabrielHurl]

It looks like a bunch of parking spots is going to be gone - with the new Exhibition Place hotel

[Furtado91]

It looks like a bunch of parking spots is going to be gone - with the new Exhibition Place hotel

Whereabouts is this? near BMO?

[GabrielHurl]

It's here

[Whoop]

I don't even see BMO in that rendering.

Nevermind: Different vantage point. It's looking out to the lake. I guess it would bottom left, outside of the picture.

[London]

thats alot of parking, if there are multiple events, the area will see gridlock that will cause alot to say "fuck it, i am staying home"

[Furtado91]

wow thats gonna suck.

[billyfly]

This hotel has been in the planning stages for years.

I think there was a thread on it before?

Highend bar and they were going to dig up the old new fort foundations And were going to display them.

[WestStandGeoff]

I went to a few community meetings about the proposed hotel... am in San Francisco for the week, and will see if I can dig up any propaganda from the meetings when I get back home.

If me memory serves me right, there should be a decent amount of underground parking with the hotel to compensate (although likely many will be used by hotel guests).

[Doucet3]

Personally I'd love it if we had a stadium like the New York Red bulls, I think they have a great stadium and thee usually have it at 75%? Imagine us with the whole south stands Supporters section, talk about home field advantage, id love that closed in feeling Make it feel a little more European

[Cashcleaner]

That's a pretty sexy design, in my opinion. I like the trees. Trees are good. I wonder, though, do they also have plans to accommodate a proposed casino?

[GabrielHurl]

From an architectural point it's pretty fugly - compared to what the original design was

I wonder, though, do they also have plans to accommodate a proposed casino?

From the last commmittee meeting minutes

Casino Site Resident: It appears in the news that the waterfront will be the site for a year-round casino

Response: Councillor Gord Perks, who Chairs the Toronto and East York Community Council, said that the Committee discussed this topic, and voted in favour of no year-round casino be constructed on the waterfront. He added that the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place have not discussed this topic nor has it received any proposals; the Ontario Place Board held a public forum, and it was agreed that Ontario Place was not the site for a casino. He also noted that the majority of City Councillors are not in agreement with a casino, nor have any proposals been submitted to the City

[Furtado91]

Don't they already have a casino there during the EX? if so why is politicians making a big stink? couldn't they just make that one year round? it wouldn't cost much extra id assume.

[mdc 77]

Don't they already have a casino there during the EX? if so why
is politicians making a big stink? couldn't they just make that one year round? it wouldn't cost much extra id assume.

Polls show that a majority of citizens are against a permanent casino on the grounds. I actually just received a call recently asking me questions regarding this very topic.

Just to add to this, if a referendum was every held it would be a massive longshot to approve a casino. Usually you will get more people out to vote who are against the idea then people who are for it.

[Furtado91]

^^^^Fair enough. I was just curious, didn't know there was a huge backlash behind a permanent casino.

[Fort York Redcoat]

^I'd lash backs about it. If I wanted to live near a casino I'd move to Orillia. And I never want to move to Orillia.

[Auzzy]

For the folks that want a stadium more like Red Bulls, Houston etc -- interesting comments this week, about how incredibly hot Red Bull Arena gets in the summer with the full roof, wrap-around cladding, etc. There's almost no air movement in there. Hardly bearable in a heat wave like now.

[narduch]

For the folks that want a stadium more like Red Bulls, Houston etc -- interesting comments this week, about how incredibly hot Red Bull Arena gets in the summer with the full roof, wrap-around cladding, etc. There's almost no air movement in there. Hardly bearable in a heat wave like now.

And the Red Bulls have a home game at 1pm tomorrow!

[Whoop]

1 pm? Is tomorrow a holiday in the States?