TFC to start the season at the skydome....

[Ultra & Proud]

Well it seems pretty simple;

League sets the table and calendar and the league wants every team to play at home early and not have our old days traditional 4 match road trip to start things off. We will have to play earlier than BMO can handle so let's get on with it and not complain about every single thing. It is what it is.

For chant volume, I was in the supporters end for that LA match and it was damn loud. Across the stadium maybe not but I think dropping the SGs at midfield would help that out. It for sure would look a lot better on TV.

[Alonso]

BMO is the same though, there are multiple places in BMO that you can't here the supporters.

Where I was in the dome it was loud, really loud, but an echoy din of noise. You couldn't make anything out.

I loved that game at the Dome - had a real big game feel to it. Reminded me of going to a big stadium in Europe.

I definitely agree with this.

We need a Dome at BMO with 40,000+ seats!
















................. Then I woke up.

[Gilberto9]

Cheap tickets = good atmosphere

[Petor]

Well it seems pretty simple;

League sets the table and calendar and the league wants every team to play at home early and not have our old days traditional 4 match road trip to start things off. We will have to play earlier than BMO can handle so let's get on with it and not complain about every single thing. It is what it is.

For chant volume, I was in the supporters end for that LA match and it was damn loud. Across the stadium maybe not but I think dropping the SGs at midfield would help that out. It for sure would look a lot better on TV.

This past week during the relocation event I managed to talk to the person in charge of the noon Saturday relocation.
I got there early so I had time to gab, I asked him about the rumour about playing the first game in the Skydome and he said, that the league dictates the schedule, and BMO can't handle the cold, plumbing not insulated etc. so, no washrooms, no go, so off to the Skydome.
Then I asked if there might be some upgrading soon because of the PanAm games.
Answer was that for the Pan Am games the only thing that they are using BMO Field for is Rugby, so no upgrades needed.
Then I asked if they were thinking of doing it themselves(MLSE) because of the seasons length(I forgot to ask what would happen if we made the playoffs), the answer was that MLSE dosen't own BMO Field outright, the City of Toronto are partners with them.
The session then started and I was more focused on getting my seat and stopped the conversation there.

I can't see why MLSE can't upgrade the washrooms, they upgraded the pitch, twice now.
I can't see the City objecting to MLSE improving the stadium at no cost to the citizens of Toronto.
If they have plans on making the playoffs either upgrade BMO to be able to play in it in cold weather or put real grass in Skydome.

[Rene Kingsriver]

This past week during the relocation event I managed to talk to the person in charge of the noon Saturday relocation.
I got there early so I had time to gab, I asked him about the rumour about playing the first game in the Skydome and he said, that the league dictates the schedule, and BMO can't handle the cold, plumbing not insulated etc. so, no washrooms, no go, so off to the Skydome.
Then I asked if there might be some upgrading soon because of the PanAm games.
Answer was that for the Pan Am games the only thing that they are using BMO Field for is Rugby, so no upgrades needed.
Then I asked if they were thinking of doing it themselves(MLSE) because of the seasons length(I forgot to ask what would happen if we made the playoffs), the answer was that MLSE dosen't own BMO Field outright, the City of Toronto are partners with them.
The session then started and I was more focused on getting my seat and stopped the conversation there.

I can't see why MLSE can't upgrade the washrooms, they upgraded the pitch, twice now.
I can't see the City objecting to MLSE improving the stadium at no cost to the citizens of Toronto.
If they have plans on making the playoffs either upgrade BMO to be able to play in it in cold weather or put real grass in Skydome.

I'm no plumber but I think it would be more of an issue in early Spring than in late Fall, its not that the pipes would necessarily be frozen more that they'd need maintenance after the winter

[Petor]

I'm no plumber but I think it would be more of an issue in early Spring than in late Fall, its not that the pipes would necessarily be frozen more that they'd need maintenance after the winter

The BMO pitch is already heated, Toronto's winters are bearable most years, might be a week or two that you can't play a year due to stuff like freezing rain or a big snowfall.
If the plumbing in the stadiun if properly insulated, heating coils etc, they can run it year round.
Green Bay is north of us, I wonder how the Packers do it? Or even Chicago and da Bears?

***Edit*** Just recalled something closer to home, how about the Argos at Exhibition stadium?

[SamK]

Didn't we have this whole discussion about whether BMO is winterized or not last year before the CCL match?
I thought it came down to the fact that the pipes and all the plumbing just cant be used early March because its not winterized.

[Petor]

Didn't we have this whole discussion about whether BMO is winterized or not last year before the CCL match?
I thought it came down to the fact that the pipes and all the plumbing just cant be used early March because its not winterized.

We know it's not winterized, the question is why don't they winterize it?

[SamK]

We know it's not winterized, the question is why don't they winterize it?

Haha a lot of the posters in the thread other than you were asking is it rather than why/why not.
But my guess would be there's more to it in a sense that we don't know what they need to do with piping etc. for all we know what they need to winterize is underground or inaccessible or anything like that.

If it weren't for that problem id much rather start at bmo than the skydome.

[Richard]

I think it would be amazing if BMO was winterized, it certainly would open up the possibility of an EU type season like the Scandanavian countries. A break in the middle of Winter would be ideal, the lake would be an issue for the spectators though, a roof could enclose some of the areas however. I wonder if the league would sponsor this if they are thinking of going to such a season.

[maxpower]

Really, Really hate playing games at the Rodgers center. I know last year was great but I think playing outside in the cold would have completely fucked the Galaxy and their passing ( probably would have screwed with plata too, but lets face it, the only player actually making passes that day from TFC was Frings). We should be using whatever we can to our advantage. And cold games often get the fans more into it.

I remember Watching a qualifier of some sort, Canada VS. Mexico at Varsity stadium in around february at least a decade ago. It completed screwed the mexicans and their technique and passing game and it ended 0-0.

[Brooker]

Really, Really hate playing games at the Rodgers center. I know last year was great but I think playing outside in the cold would have completely fucked the Galaxy and their passing ( probably would have screwed with plata too, but lets face it, the only player actually making passes that day from TFC was Frings). We should be using whatever we can to our advantage. And cold games often get the fans more into it.

They couldn't play at BMO even if they wanted to. Not sure how many times people need to be told this.

[maxpower]

They couldn't play at BMO even if they wanted to. Not sure how many times people need to be told this.

I know that. My bad on not making that entirely clear( or at all). I'm just saying I would actually view playing at BMO in early march as an advantage and something I personally would look forward to.

[Brooker]

Like you said, the atmosphere would be better. Love bad weather games at BMO. The level of rowdyness goes through the roof as all the plastics run for cover.

[__wowza]

Didn't we have this whole discussion about whether BMO is winterized or not last year before the CCL match?
I thought it came down to the fact that the pipes and all the plumbing just cant be used early March because its not winterized.

shhhhhhhh.. we're trying to re-hash a conversation here!

had a big turnout for last seasons CCL match. even without becks, you put a team like montreal against us, hooo boy!!

[ensco]

We know it's not winterized, the question is why don't they winterize it?

They didn't do a lot of things.

BMO is a meccano set. Done on the cheap. Basically a high school football stadium.

As a taxpayer, I'm glad. A lot of the SSSs in the US were hose jobs on the states/municipalities that paid for them.

I can live with no football at BMO in March.

[Phil]

We know it's not winterized, the question is why don't they winterize it?

When they upgrade the pitch, it benefits the product. To spend the money that it would take on winterrizing BMO the return on that investment is a bit more difficult to realize. It will take a while to recoup that money.

That being said, I know they are talking about doing a winterization on it. The preference is to not play at skydome and keep all games at BMO. Its a long term plan though and one that seems to change a lot.

[jabbronies]

shhhhhhhh.. we're trying to re-hash a conversation here!

had a big turnout for last seasons CCL match. even without becks, you put a team like montreal against us, hooo boy!!

You can't fill the Dome with just MLS branding, you have to have that big name(s) to draw people in. The only draw for this game will be Nesta. He will be plastered all over the advertising on this one.

[T-boy]

When they upgrade the pitch, it benefits the product. To spend the money that it would take on winterrizing BMO the return on that investment is a bit more difficult to realize. It will take a while to recoup that money.

That being said, I know they are talking about doing a winterization on it. The preference is to not play at skydome and keep all games at BMO. Its a long term plan though and one that seems to change a lot.

Plus its not just about winterising the field. They could put under soil heating in, get the pitch playable always, but the issue is going to be fan safety in the stands. Those metal terraces are going to be brutal to stand on in the winter. Make it below breezing and a few inches of snow, people will be falling all over the place! You're going to need a roof over every stand, and make people sit down (esp in the south end). I can't see them doing all that work for 1 or 2 games a season. I also can't see the average fan coming out to freezing cold winter games either. Only the hardcore will come out for those games. It isn't Euope where fans come out whatever the weather - it seems that a couple of degrees temp difference or a rain shower decreases the crowd a huge amount.

[Petor]

Plus its not just about winterising the field. They could put under soil heating in, get the pitch playable always, but the issue is going to be fan safety in the stands. Those metal terraces are going to be brutal to stand on in the winter. Make it below breezing and a few inches of snow, people will be falling all over the place! You're going to need a roof over every stand, and make people sit down (esp in the south end). I can't see them doing all that work for 1 or 2 games a season. I also can't see the average fan coming out to freezing cold winter games either. Only the hardcore will come out for those games. It isn't Euope where fans come out whatever the weather - it seems that a couple of degrees temp difference or a rain shower decreases the crowd a huge amount.

BMO field IS winterized.

For the stands, de-icers, salt, chemicals, shovels, brooms etc.

Payne's goal is to make the playoffs this coming season.
And if we make the playoffs that means games in November, so then we will play in the Skydome in March and November?

BMO field is not the first outdoor stadium in Toronto but probably is the first one that is not compatable with our winters.
I guess MLSE is paying the price for their frugality now.

[Beach_Red]

They didn't do a lot of things.

BMO is a meccano set. Done on the cheap. Basically a high school football stadium.

As a taxpayer, I'm glad. A lot of the SSSs in the US were hose jobs on the states/municipalities that paid for them.

I can live with no football at BMO in March.

I agree, as a taxpaer I'm glad. I'm also not surprised that MLSE didn't go too big with an investment in MLS. Most of the new stadiums seat about 25,000 so that tells us where the investors think MLS will be for the next twenty years. Everyone seems to agree that MLS has made the step from 1.0 to 2.0. Now we'll see if there's a 3.0.

If it's like baseball Toronto will stay in the previous stage until every other city moves to the next stage. SkyDome was the last of its kind before all the new "ballparks" were built and maybe BMO will be the last of the soccer specific Meccano sets if/when new stadiums are built. But it's still a big question if MLS is going to get any bigger than it is now.

[__wowza]

You can't fill the Dome with just MLS branding, you have to have that big name(s) to draw people in. The only draw for this game will be Nesta. He will be plastered all over the advertising on this one.

you really don't think we'd be able to put 40k at the dome with proper planning and a solid rivalry? hell, if you have it at the dome im sure you'd get at least 5k sold to limpact supporters and another 7-8k sold to youth soccer clubs in the top bowl. pop in at least 18k for the people who'd go out to support the reds anyways, add 3-4k for the people who'd come just because it's the first game of the season and you'd have at least 34-35 thousand.

[Yagbod]

Plus, they can have PSY play at half-time.


Your argument is invalid.

[Blizzard]

I believe it was November but it was cold as hell so felt like February. We hit two damned goalposts on the same damned play. We deserved to win that one.

Really, Really hate playing games at the Rodgers center. I know last year was great but I think playing outside in the cold would have completely fucked the Galaxy and their passing ( probably would have screwed with plata too, but lets face it, the only player actually making passes that day from TFC was Frings). We should be using whatever we can to our advantage. And cold games often get the fans more into it.

I remember Watching a qualifier of some sort, Canada VS. Mexico at Varsity stadium in around february at least a decade ago. It completed screwed the mexicans and their technique and passing game and it ended 0-0.

[Blizzard]

Just keep in mind that every single foot of exposed water and drains would have to be insulated and remember that most of the piping is exposed to the elements. Also, it's not only a matter of the average weather, it is the freak freezes like what occurred in and around the Portland home opener two years ago. As I recall, BMO had a five or six figure repair bill on that occasion due to a freak freeze hitting and freezing the water in the pipes with the subsequent expansion of the ice blowing apart a multitude of joints. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the cost of winterizing BMO would be in seven figures.

BMO field IS winterized.

For the stands, de-icers, salt, chemicals, shovels, brooms etc.

Payne's goal is to make the playoffs this coming season.
And if we make the playoffs that means games in November, so then we will play in the Skydome in March and November?

BMO field is not the first outdoor stadium in Toronto but probably is the first one that is not compatable with our winters.
I guess MLSE is paying the price for their frugality now.

[maxpower]

I believe it was November but it was cold as hell so felt like February. We hit two damned goalposts on the same damned play. We deserved to win that one.

Well i'm glad someone else remembers that game. Yeah November sounds right now that I think about it.

We should play all of our national team games in Winnipeg, especially in winter.That would reaaally screw with the Central americans.

[glaze]

We know the club is handcuffed, due to playing in a facility that is basically a temporary structure. The Dome has poor sightlines, uncomfortable seating (not a factor I guess for supporters), and feels dead unless there is a crowd of 45,000+. I'll be shocked if this works out. The LA game was huge because it had Beckham, and the game meant something. I don't think they can possibly come close to replicating that. But until they put some money into BMO we'll have to put up with it.

[Dave67]

This will work out and it will be great. The supporters can all be seated together, there will be plenty of room for banners. If it's priced right and advertised right people will see it as an event (just like a Jays home opener) and they will buy tickets. I'd be shocked if this sold under 40,000 if it's done right. Oh yeah, I'd rather see Columbus or New York as our first home opponent.

[BeachTory]

Remember the grass at bmo is dead in march. Just because you can warm it up to take the ice out of it and make it softer, you get soup, not grass.
this is the difference to playing in late november - the under heating can keep the bmo grass alive longer than your lawn. Nothing can be done to start growing until the sun starts to make an appearance.

also, march at rogers is no grass possible either because there is no grass to be bought in canada. Imported live agriculture products from the US being the only source of sod in march is next to impossible due to federal and provincial legislation.

So get used to plastic in march if you want home tfc games.

[Bantamfan]

Well, quite frankly, a four game road trip to start is better than playing on that shit surface in that
hole of a place!