Argos out of BMO?

[Fort York Redcoat]

My wildass theory is that what is coming is much bigger, ie a new building, maybe at Ontario Place, that is purpose built with the potential to expand to NFL size.

Toronto Live? Instead of an angel we'd have a hog? a smokestack?

[ryan]

Crackpipe.

[Phil]

What do you mean by this?

Sorry, if I'm a little out of the loop and please excuse my ignorance on this, but what election result will be the last hurdle?

Will one party stop the deal as oppossed to others?

Are there any other parties who have stated they will not see through on the loan?

Well, the indication is that the deal is done with the Liberals and there is a contingency plan on the table with the city that needs approval. The June 12 election has the bigger role. The city approval would probably go through with Kelly at the helm.

[Carts]

An "LA Live" type of development at Ontario Place would be sweet.

Stadium, Casino, Restaurants.... And of course hookers & crack dealers

[Red Rat]

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/mls/story/?id=453230

By David Naylor

The notion of BMO Field as future home of the Toronto Argonauts has been shelved as Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment prepares to invest in refurbishing the facility in times for next summer’s Pan-Am Games without a retrofit for Canadian football.

In April, Toronto city council approved a plan to invest $10 million in a $120 million expansion, contingent on the provincial and federal governments kicking in $10 million each as well. That plan included expanding the stadium to accommodate CFL football, with the Argos hoping to move in as soon as next season.

That stadium deal was put together at the same time that Argo owner David Braley was negotiating to sell the Argos to either MLSE or its largest, individual shareholder, Larry Tanenbaum.

However, with the provincial and federal governments yet to sign onto the deal, and time running out, MLSE is now focused on upgrading and repairing the facility under its current configurations, with an emphasis on getting it ready for next summer’s Pan-Am Games when it will host the Rugby Sevens competition.

While the possibility of an Argo sale to Tanenbaum or MLSE is not dead, according to a source, it has gone from being a priority to something that would depend another phase of stadium expansion being approved.

The Argos have been asked to vacate the Rogers Centre, their home since 1989 after the 2017 season so that the Toronto Blue Jays may consider installing natural grass into the facility.

MLSE will take a plan to city council next month to spend $80 million upgrading amenities in the stadium, asking for permission to spend the $10 million of city dollars that was granted for the larger project in April.

This sounds the same but different, shelved is the right word.

[Red4ever]

I'll be relaying thanks to the Prime Minister later today.

[Red CB Toronto]

I would wait to see what happens, the powers brokers at work, I still believe at the end of the day it will happen with the Argos at BMO.

[Red CB Toronto]

How come MLSE is killing this deal over $10 million, that is chump change to them, at the end of the day I believe that $10 will come from somewhere.

[gdg_9]

The thing that would make the most sense for the Argos would be to partner with York, similar to what the Alouettes do with McGill at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal.

Not only would it finally give them a permanent home properly suited for CFL, but with the right strategic partnerships and marketing with York, it could help give them a built-in student fanbase and hopefully increase their abysmal attendance numbers (second worst in the CFL last year. Only the Ti-Cats were worse, and they played out of a small temporary stadium in Guelph while theirs was being re-built).

[Suds]

Nothing is done until it is done.

Still plenty of time for Argos to be back on the table. Lot's can change with the ongoing elections in Toronto and Ontario with respect to promised grants and loans.

[Phil]

Lets not forget the Argos history of pulling out of these kinds of deals...

Just trying to persever that sunshine

[Canary10]

There is a very real time crunch too. It's pretty tough to start reno'ing your house then decide half way through you want an added bathroom.

[MartinUtd]

My wildass theory is that what is coming is much bigger, ie a new building, maybe at Ontario Place, that is purpose built with the potential to expand to NFL size.

I was thinking the same thing, not sure about location but I could see some sort of CFL/NFL/World Cup 2026 bid being combined in a mega stadium. Argos could use it much like the Sounders use Century Link, NFL would sell out every seat and the centre piece of the world cup bid would be bought and paid for.

[glaze]

I'll believe it when the concrete is poured.
I still feel there is too much politics at stake. It is a tough situation for the Feds. In fact, I applaud their approach. Too many cities have stadium projects. I realize Hamilton got funds thanks to the Pam Am games, but what about winnipeg, regina, ottawa and quebec city (hockey arena). The Feds can't give money to everyone. Both Ottawa and Montreal have had CFL teams fold, but I think losing Toronto would be really bad for the league. I don't know if you want to be the government that allowed the Argos and the CFL to fail.
I don't want the Argos at BMO Field. I was happy to read that article, but feel that the window is still open for this to change. Renovations aren't starting until September, and it seems that the plan to keep the north end open leaves room for a last minute change.
I am always fascinated by Canada's lack of wealthy people willing to put money into pro sports. The LA Clippers are rumoured to sell for over 2 billion. Meanwhile the Argos would likely be given to whoever promises to find them a new home.
How can the country's largest city not find an owner for its football team?

[barticusz]

So for now the Argo's are out. Instead of 120M, 100M will be spent on BMO Field. With the loss of the need to have movable stands, I wonder how much money is saved.

My thinking is that, that cost would have been quite high, so there is a possibility we could see a slightly improved design, maybe with a better roof? Can't wait to see some updated plans.

[Kaz]

I've grown sceptical.. I want to see the new plans.

I'm a little surprised.. but at the same time not... it could have been funnelled through the Pan-am Budget, but it TL was too open I supposed meaning the Feds didn't think they could do it, without pissing off their base.

I'm actually a little disappointed in it, because as much as I don't want the Argo's at BMO, the plan was technically neat and my geeky side wanted to see it.

I'm also really happy with this.

The info in conflicting..

So is it 80 million from MLSE, 10 million from the Province, and 10 million from the City? With a backup of 5-10 extra from the city if some how Hudak get in power.

The new "plans" will be interesting.. the idea of the North side being left open with less then permanent seats is concerning as to what that means. Is Grassmaster still going in? Will BMO get a fungicide exception so a winter tarp can go on as part of this?

the TSN article annoys me because the Argo's keep saying... "well in the beginning we were going to play there" But the Argo's didn't want to.. the Argo's kept playing games.. the Argo's are the ones that kept the Argo's out of BMO. They need to grow up.. own up to their issues... and stop asking for a free ride in the city.

[Canary10]

I hope we stick with the hybrid grass....

[Beach_Red]

I was thinking the same thing, not sure about location but I could see some sort of CFL/NFL/World Cup 2026 bid being combined in a mega stadium. Argos could use it much like the Sounders use Century Link, NFL would sell out every seat and the centre piece of the world cup bid would be bought and paid for.

But what this shows is how difficult it will be to get three levels of government to agree on anything.

[ensco]

The Argos have always been the MacGuffin.

That supposed 2026 WC bid is about to get a lot more airplay now.

The whole thing just feels like an elaborate misdirection play from the Ultimate Entertainer

Bunny will probably pop out of the hat in a couple of months.

[Ultra & Proud]

I hope we stick with the hybrid grass....

After the look of the pitch after this balls winter and earlier and earlier first kicks I think this may have to be the way going forward.

[RealG-TFC]

The thing that would make the most sense for the Argos would be to partner with York, similar to what the Alouettes do with McGill at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal.

Not only would it finally give them a permanent home properly suited for CFL, but with the right strategic partnerships and marketing with York, it could help give them a built-in student fanbase and hopefully increase their abysmal attendance numbers (second worst in the CFL last year. Only the Ti-Cats were worse, and they played out of a small temporary stadium in Guelph while theirs was being re-built).

It really makes perfect sense. The tennis stadium is right there and they are building a new stadium for the panams. There's two highways servicing York the subway expansion. Is due to open in 2016. Last time I was there I noticed in a poster that the university was going to sell/develop the surrounding land as well.

[reggie]

TL did say on tsn a month ago that there will be some big news on the whole bmo thing.

[reggie]

It really makes perfect sense. The tennis stadium is right there and they are building a new stadium for the panams. There's two highways servicing York the subway expansion. Is due to open in 2016. Last time I was there I noticed in a poster that the university was going to sell/develop the surrounding land as well.

did the argos say that they are look at York for ther new practice ground?

[Fort York Redcoat]

How come MLSE is killing this deal over $10 million, that is chump change to them

[Phil]

I know for a fact the plans have not been drawn up yet.

[TFC07]

No surprises here. Feds already came out not supporting the project so I don't see why anyone who have been following this issue is surprised.

That being said, Argos can still get their own stadium if they are willing to move outside of downtown core. York is going to be Argos' training facility this year, so they might as well work with university to build football stadium.

[TFC07]

did the argos say that they are look at York for ther new practice ground?

Yes, this year they will have their training camp at York.

[TFC07]

How come MLSE is killing this deal over $10 million, that is chump change to them, at the end of the day I believe that $10 will come from somewhere.

It's not their stadium so why should they pay for it? How about Argos step up and pay that $10 million to move in? They can't get a free ride all the time.

[Villa TFC]

I definitely see this as a 'shelving' rather than a 'killing.' There'll be a phase 1 redevelopment of BMO for the Pan Am games which won't include the Argos. However, the phase 1 design will be very careful not to do anything that makes it more difficult or impossible for the Argos to move in later as part of a phase 2 redevelopment. Until the Argos get their own stadium (will never happen) or share with York etc, there'll always be the threat of them churning up our turf and vandalising the pitch with lines.

[TFC07]

I definitely see this as a 'shelving' rather than a 'killing.' There'll be a phase 1 redevelopment of BMO for the Pan Am games which won't include the Argos. However, the phase 1 design will be very careful not to do anything that makes it more difficult or impossible for the Argos to move in later as part of a phase 2 redevelopment. Until the Argos get their own stadium (will never happen) or share with York etc, there'll always be the threat of them churning up our turf and vandalising the pitch with lines.

Agreed. Argos can still come in 2016 if someone steps up to kick in extra money.

All this means for now, that Argos aren't coming next year.

But then again, we still have month left and maybe someone (either Feds or CFL) can come up with extra $10 million needed to bring Argos.