A New Stadium for the City of Hamilton?
By Larry Di Ianni
(posted October 7, 2007)

Recently, the President of the Hamilton Tiger Cats put the need for a new stadium on the community’s agenda.

We should not be surprised that this notion has resurfaced.  It has been on the city’s radar for some time.  I remember in 2000, when first elected in the newly-amalgamated city of Hamilton, receiving a staff report on the status of ALL city facilities including Ivor Wynne.  It was obvious that many millions of dollars would need to be spent to simply maintain the stadium in the shape it is in currently.

I also remember discreet discussions with Bob Young about the co-operative efforts between the city and the football club as a way of moving forward.

So, Scott Mitchell is not telling us anything we did not know.  I was pleased that the Mayor indicated he would launch a study ‘just as soon as the budget process is over’ were words he more or less used to qualify his support.  He also indicated that he would not favour a waterfront location for the stadium.

I found both comments somewhat ambiguous.

If one is to launch a study, one needs money; that money can only be approved at budget time, so the budget process is precisely where the discussion initially belongs.

Secondly, if one is to launch a study, one shouldn’t preclude any location for the stadium.

Let the study give you the pros and cons of each location without bias.  Then make an informed decision.

Here is some free advice for Council.   Look at the two extensive studies done during our most recent bids for the Commonwealth Games.  These losing endeavours actually mapped out a blueprint for the development of all types of sports venues for the city.  In these studies are actual renderings and possible locations for a new stadium, with some suggestions for the use of the existing facility’s site.  The work which was done was extensive in its thoughtful assessment of the alternatives.

The waterfront area figures prominently in one of the favoured alternatives.

Not the vast park area which is currently owned by the city, but another area, owned privately and already the subject of some press speculation.  This location no longer serves its intended purpose and is begging for some adaptive reuse.

Council should look carefully here before dismissing it.

The biggest problem, however, with these ambitious plans, developed or to be developed, is financing.  It will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to create a venue we will be proud of; and one which will, if done right, will be a multi-purpose venue, usable beyond the football season.  But where do we get the money?  The city’s finances cannot afford this expenditure; nor would taxpayers allow such a huge new tax to be placed on their shoulders.  The answer lies in the collaboration among the various stakeholder groups: the taxpayers (the city will have to spend a little money), private enterprise (there are sufficient resources in the city to mount a real fundraising campaign), the Province (if the Liberals had been smart they would have announced funding during this election. They would have been guaranteed a Liberal seat in Hamilton Center.) And of course the Federal government which is missing in action in this city.  In fact the Feds should pay the biggest amount because it was they and their agencies that scuppered Hamilton’s plans to successfully run a Commonwealth games whose presence would have given us a new stadium and more.  Instead, the Federal agency responsible gave the nod to an inferior bid from Halifax.  Halifax had to withdraw from the international competition, which was an embarrassment to everyone.  Thanks, Feds!  That being the case, maybe Mr. Harper should foot the full amount!!