Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

CFL on the verge of construction boom

DAVID NAYLOR

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 1:36 PM EDT 07/05/08

Five CFL teams are aggressively pushing plans to build new stadiums or drastically alter and refurbish old ones ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. Sev Scott from Calgaristan, Canada writes: Now let's get rid of the Canadian content (the best ones will make it anyways), and you will see the fall of the NFL in Canada.
  2. Mike Lush from Canada writes: After visiting most of the CFL stadiums in the country at one or the other, it's hard to believe Calgary isn't on this list. What a dump of a stadium. Easily the worst stadium going and that's saying a lot considering the competition. Same goes for the saddledome for that matter. Hard to understand with all the money flowing through the city.
  3. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: 'and a potential redesign of Toronto's BMO Field to accommodate the Argonauts, and the CFL could be looking at well over a half-billion dollars invested in stadium infrastructure during the next five years.'

    The CFL does not have this kind of money and please, stay the hell away from BMO Field. There's something good happening there and CFL is only watched by old white people in Toronto and one day they will move away to Florida, so no reason to make TFC supporters suffer for this dying CFL product in our city. Move the Argos to Halifax, it makes sense to have something called the 'boatmen' somewhere people actually have boats.
  4. Joel S. from Toronto, Canada writes: B I, the lack of respect that you have for the oldest pro sports franchise in North America is appalling. The Argonauts were founded more than 130 years ago, and if you haven't noticed, there are boats in Lake Ontario.

    It's nice that you enjoy the latest overhyped offering of MLSE, but please do not bash an important part of Toronto sports history. You illustrate further ignorance by declaring that fans at Argos games are all old white people. Have you ever been to a game? This could not be further from the truth.

    Who says TFC fans will suffer if the Argos move there? Sports facilities always improve when there is increased revenue. Oh and, did you actually read the article? The CFL isn't the only financial contributor, the PRIVATE SECTOR is getting involved.
  5. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: It is a sad fact that the drinking at football games is the biggest problem, and I'm not singling out Regina. At every stadium I've been to in the CFL it's the drunken fools who puke, punch and p**s all over. How can you have a washroom that isn't disgusting , when it's full of drunken fools. Ever see that at a hockey game, gezz at a hockey game they won't let you walk to your seat until the play is stopped.
    I'm not saying hockey fans are a better class of fans, it's just as far back as I can remember (mid 60s) going toa and game drinking was the norm. If you every caught the Rider bus from Yorkton back then only 1/2 the guys ever got off the bus to see the game, and we had TV blackouts . So back then the ground work was set and it still continues. Want to improve stadiums stop the drinking.
  6. Mrs. T from Chilliwack, Canada writes: The best renovation that can be done to BC Place would be to nuke the concessions. What is that calf sh!t colored stuff they put on the 'nachos'? Would it kill them to smile? If you go to get a hot dog and a beer they are so slow, you will miss at least a whole quarter of the game. I smuggle my food and drinks in just so I don't have to face the wrath of some pimple faced kid because, I was willing to pay $8 for a half-full watered down warm beer.
  7. John Bladen from Canada writes: Good article, but I don't agree with the suggestion that Mr. Asper is 'putting $65M of his own money toward a stadium'. He isn't. He's getting 80M from various gov'ts to build a $100M stadium (his figures), the rest goes to the commercial development, which he will control, and let us not forget the team is also being transferred to his ownership. So maybe he's actually shelling out $10m toward the new stadium after all is considered. This is still real cash, and he's to be admired for that commitment. But let's not whitewash over the fact that this is a real estate play for Creswin properties. Nor should we forget when considering Mr. Asper's prospective ownership his total meltdown after a playoff loss a few years ago...

    Mrs. T., I couldn't agree with you more. I spent ten hours on the road to go to a Lions game a few years ago... when I got there the facility staff were so unpleasant and officious that I considered skipping the game after all. Needless to say, I haven't been back.
  8. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Joel S. from Toronto, Canada writes: Who says TFC fans will suffer if the Argos move there? Sports facilities always improve when there is increased revenue. Oh and, did you actually read the article? The CFL isn't the only financial contributor, the PRIVATE SECTOR is getting involved. Do you have any idea how awful it is to watch soccer when those ugly CFL lines would be looking back at the fans. Not to mention the tackiness of CFL fields with on-field advertising right on the field of play every five yards promoting anything and everything that will so much as wink at the CFL. You think it would be easy or cheap to get those off after every boring CFL game and then paint them back on? If it was easy, then they would do it regularly in New England and New York where those MLS teams are still sharing stadiums with NFL teams for a couple of more years. As for this holy 'private sector' that is coming into play, the only big name with serious money I saw mentioned was the Aspers and if they run their CFL business about as well as they run their newspapers, then Winnipeg is in a lot of trouble. There isn't enough money in the Canadian private sector to find half a billion dollars for the CFL. The owners will borrow heavily and when the people don't fall for the 'premium pricing' in small Canadian cities, they'll have a hell of a time paying back their loans. When a company as successful as MLSE (easily the biggest sports & entertainment company in Canada and one of the largest in the world) wants no part of the CFL, you have to wonder what the hell these other guys are thinking.
  9. Sev Scott from Calgaristan, Canada writes: Too bad Asper and his tribe did not step up to save the Jets. Funny timing on this one. Anyway, won't look a gift horse in the mouth.
  10. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: B I I agree with you 100%. The dumb jocks at the Argos head office had there chance to be part of BMO Field and pulled out leaving the the CSA and MLSE to pick up the pieces. And now they see what a beauty of a stadium it is they want to ruin it with there 55 yard line. Stick to the SkyDome we don't want your double blue in the Stadium that TFC built!
  11. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: BI and uncle rukus...whats appalling is when someone over 3000 miles away knows more about the sports situation in your city.

    I believe the Argos owners where totally on board with BMO field, or its equivelant, at U of T. They got kinda screwed politcaklly when the plans changed, and walk way from a bad deal.

    BTW BI, get off the high horse. 'Oh , goodness gracious, how will I watch soccer with all those lines?

    You mean like the football lines on over half the fields in the MLS? Toronto has a soccer specific stadium, buit not all the teams do. Yet, somehow, someway, they make do!

    Thank you Joel S. for putting this twit in his place. Your post was excellent.
  12. D W from Switzerland writes: love the CFL, but even the home of the recent success story in Montreal is a bit of a joke, after the charm wears off: concrete bleachers everywhere and concrete pillars to boot as you squeeze through to the concession stands; glad to see the playoffs/Grey Cup game arrive and get back to the Big O! Having 50,000 people at a game makes a big difference, too
  13. Piet F from Canada writes: Oh BI.... how ignorant you are. I'm 27 and a CFL fan. Granted, I don't live in the centre of the universe or support the Argos, but don't brand the entire league's supporters as being old and white haired. It's certainly not the case.

    The best way to encourage more young people out to see the CFL is to put it in a new facility. It just makes sense.

    Great news - I just hope they can sort out a decent stadium in Ottawa now that they have the right ownership in place for the first time in 30 years. Talk about long suffering fans!
  14. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Piet F from Canada writes: 'Oh BI.... how ignorant you are. I'm 27 and a CFL fan. Granted, I don't live in the centre of the universe or support the Argos, but don't brand the entire league's supporters as being old and white haired. It's certainly not the case.' I didn't. I specifically said Toronto. In this city about 50% of the people were born outside of Canada and guess what, they don't like slow moving, stopping every 30 seconds for an on-field Pizza Pizza gimmick, sporting event. It's not just CFL that will take a hit in Toronto in the near future, but hockey as well. The know-it-all from Vancouver who claims to know the UofT situation, explain how the Argos also walked away from a joint stadium at York university. I understand people like yourselves get all emotional about 'Canadian' products but here in Toronto, I prefer not to get all 'Canadian' about a boring, slow moving, dinosauric product - at least as far as things to do in Toronto are concerned. Also, has it occurred to either of you that the average old white guy that goes to Argos' games probably doesn't want to sit in an open roof stadium? The Argos polled their seat holders about this and it turns out, they very much enjoy being shielded from rain and other elements that generally bother old people.
  15. Zeno of Elea from Canada writes: Ottawa's Landsdown Park redevelopment is a land grab with a CFL team as a bribe. Most Ottawans I know would rather see the south stand knocked down and more fields put in for their kids to play soccer, than a place for the second coming of Skip Walker and J.C. Watts.
  16. Dude Love from Toronto, Canada writes: I have friends who live in Baltimore and supported the CFL Baltimore franchise. They also attend Raven's games and everytime I speak with them, they tell me how much more exciting and fast-paced CFL games were. The NFL does a great job marketing and promoting their league. If you actually go to a game. It can sometimes be as boring as baseball.
  17. P McLean from Canada writes: I find it quite ironic that B I is sitting here maknig the statements he is, while championing a game where excitement is a 2-1 final. not only this, he is getting all bent out of shape about having to possibly deal with lines on a field, watching a team who's best player got cut from a team that was out of danger or relegation for about the first 5 minutes of this season in the EPL. How far down the food chain does that make it? Most of the CFL players played major college football in the States first at least. And in the ultimate 'when you piont a finger at someone, three more are poitning at you', the statements he makes regarding who watches are just silly when you consider that people who go to TFC games wear these scarves like a bunch of sheep. It's shorts weather out there but they need a scarf? B I, a little advice for you: You like soccer, we get it. But in your attempt to point out that other people are idiots, you only showed yourself to be just that.
  18. Chris Michaels from Oakville, Canada writes: I'll be really bummed if Ivor Wynne gets replaced. To any of you who haven't been, I highly recommend spending a game or two there -- especially in the endzone.

    If the team is half-decent (which, is always a question mark) the atmosphere there is second to none.

    I just hope that if ...and it's a big if...the mighty Ivor gets replaced or renovated, I hope they can keep that old school charm and abrasive feeling that makes football line Hammer so fun. (Luxury suites and creature-comforts make me shudder....that's Toronto stuff...no thanks.)
  19. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Mrs T From Chilliwack: Too funny and too true. BC Place probably has the worst concessions in pro sports. I hope that frowning group of losers who work for them aren't greeting people for the Olympics!
  20. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: P McLean from Canada writes: watching a team who's best player got cut from a team that was out of danger or relegation for about the first 5 minutes of this season in the EPL. How far down the food chain does that make it? Most of the CFL players played major college football in the States first at least.

    Well actually TFC's best player is Amado Guevara and among his accolades include a league MVP award and a Copa America MVP award. So what if 'CFL players played major college football' in the only country that has a monopoly on the sport? That doesn't make them good, it just means there is a shallower pool to choose from, which actually makes CFL players far worse in comparison in their sport to MLS players. As for the rest of your diatribe, scarves are a tradition in soccer and since TFC has a fairly authentic fanbase of expats and people generally from soccer playing countries, it makes perfect sense. What does CFL have? fat guys. Cool!
  21. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: B I the Yanks will be tired of your 'kick the ball back and forth game' within five years and the American teams will be gone. Then the TO team can play by themselves. This happened in the US about 30 years ago and will happen again. Soccer in the US is considered good exercise for kids growing up but as a spectator sport its a snoozer.

    Also, if you live long enough you will be an 'old' guy. It happens to most people.
  22. Carl Baldin from Canada writes: John Bladen's comments (7th comment) regarding the Asper's is totally correct. Smoke and mirrors - the Asper way - just like their 'Human Rights Museum.'

    I have no problem with these CFL owners building new stadiums.....but they pay for them, or sell bonds (etc.) and be creative as to how they raise money - not from the tax payer. If the governments give money to sports teams/owners, the they should give the same $ to every business owner.
  23. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: 'B I the Yanks will be tired of your 'kick the ball back and forth game' within five years and the American teams will be gone. Then the TO team can play by themselves. This happened in the US about 30 years ago and will happen again. Soccer in the US is considered good exercise for kids growing up but as a spectator sport its a snoozer.'

    By 2010, at least 12 of the 16 MLS teams will have soccer-specific stadiums. That didn't happen 30 years ago. Three of the other four: New England, DC United and Houston will look to get their own shortly thereafter, taking that number up to 15. These are real infrastructures being built by mostly private owners with deep pockets. Look up who owns MLS teams and you will see why you are wrong. CFL can't get up to double digits in a country that's supposed to embrace it as its 'own' game.
  24. It Is Me from Canada writes: EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: 'Soccer in the US is considered good exercise for kids growing up but as a spectator sport its a snoozer.'

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Sorry, I just have to say that although that may be true, truth is the slowest most boring sport in the world is Baseball and it's 'Amercia's passtime'!! How do you explain that? There may be sociological/psychological reasons why soccer fails in the US, but believe me, 'speed', 'emotion' and 'snooze facor' are certainly NOT reasons for its failure. If the yanks were easily bored, then baseball would have been a failure a long time ago. Indeed, Baseball is the ideal sport for napping.
  25. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: Sorry B I, five years from now no US soccer teams. Sport specific stadiums do not matter.

    It Is Me - you are right baseball is a snoozer, but it has a 100 plus year tradition in the US. It started before any other organized sports in the US. The Yanks love a game with lots of statistics so they can talk about the numbers for hours. Soccer, zero, one, two, three goals a game equals minimum statistics. No figures to rehash.
  26. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Yeah it turns out though that some people can follow sports without having to talk about numbers all the time. People do it all over the world, where they don't follow baseball, CFL, NHL or the NFL. They can do that in the U.S. too.

    How can you say sport-specific stadiums don't matter when owners who have a track record of long term vision in infrastructure building are making these happen? MLS was created by NFL owners and if you think they are in to something without the conviction to make it work, you are very, very wrong.
  27. puddin and pie from Canada writes: McMahon Stadium in Calgary has decent food (BBQ burgers, sausages)

    It's the Molson swill that suks. No choice.

    The product on the field will bring the fans. When limited seating turns fans away, then build.

    MapleLeafGardens existed a long time until player salaries deemed a larger live audience necessary.

    The Big Owe, Rogers' and BC Place don't work for the CFL, as the fan base can't fill em.
  28. Michael Enright from Toronto, Canada writes: Let the Argo's re-develop Lamport Stadium (on King St. West) into a football only stadium. Stay away from BMO.
  29. Cowtown boy from Calgary, Canada writes: 'Joel S. from Toronto, Canada writes: B I, the lack of respect that you have for the oldest pro sports franchise in North America is appalling. The Argonauts were founded more than 130 years ago, and if you haven't noticed, there are boats in Lake Ontario. '

    The biggest lack of respect comes from the fans in GTA themselves. The fact that 4.5 million people live there but yet they can barely put 20,000 people in the stands speaks volumes about local respect. Even Regina with about 1/15th the population can do better than that. The fact is, B I is right. if you can't even find local support for your team then move it to somewhere that can. You folks can go on living your NFL dream.
  30. Stephen Mulder from Toronto, Canada writes: Lets set the facts straight - Argos Averaged 31,000 per game last season. Not Barely managed 20,000 people.

    I do not have grey hair - nor am i old or fat. 24 year old season ticket holder for argos for 2 years now. And theres another kid i know who bought his own season tickets - he's 17.

    MLSE did not build BMO. Governments did.

    Soccer is a boring sport where 6 shots on goal in a 1-0 game is alot.
    I laughed at all the suckers last year, who paid hundreds of dollars when LA Galaxy came to town to see Beckham, only for him to sit.

    CSA doesn't even like using BMO field because of artificial turf.

    TFC will follow the trends of every other sports team in this city. Exception of the leafs. Of 3-4 years of success - at the ticket booth and as people lose interest attendance will drop. Be as optimistic as you'd like about that one. It'll still happen.

    Toronto won't get a new stadium unless the Olympics are coming. And thats the only reason a new one will get built.

    Lines on BMO field? Funny i don't see football lines when I'm at a blue jays game. I would how that works?

    I seem to like this though - alot of hate towards this coming from the TFC supporter. (B I) While everyone else seems to be stating the facts.
  31. You know me as Dije from Ottawa, Canada writes: Well I have never been a fan of the CFL but am looking forward to its (next) return to Ottawa. I hope it does better this time around. A better ownership situation will go a long way but my fear is still that Ottawa will not get the numbers attending that they need.

    And considering part of Frank Clair Stadium is currently not useable due to being unsafe, they need to get an agreement in place very soon to build a new stadium or do drastic renovations... without destroying the acres of green space there to build more and more condos...

    Now I just have to try and make it out to a few Can-Am baseball games...
  32. Cowtown boy from Calgary, Canada writes: Well B I, like it or not, football - CFL or the NFL variety will alway be more popular over here than soccer. You can rant and rave all you want, but the fact remains that the CFL is more popular in Canada and the NFL is more popular in the US. Even given the Americans respective showing in the world cup hasn't changed that fact.

    Baseball, Hockey, Football, Basketball, and even Nascar racing are more popular and this fact is not going to change in your lifetime.
  33. M Poland from Calgary, Canada writes: Mike Lush--I am going to take a flyer here and guess that you're either from Edmonton [the Big Onion] or Saskabush. Frankly, I would disagree that McMahon Stadium [built and paid for by private enterprise, and then sold to the University for $1, BTW] is easily the worst in the CFL. I would agree that it is not the best, to be sure. I do wonder if our compatriots up the QEII will help build us a new stadium? [same as we helped build theirs with our tax dollars] I also would like to point out to the other poster who commented on the lack of stopping fans from retaking their seats during play--that rarely happens in McMahon Stadium as the ushers restrain folks behind the yellow line until play has stopped. This goes for the anthem as well.
  34. Fred Forest from Canada writes: Not a single sports facility of any kind has ever been built in Canada without a good whack of government dough. Hold on to your wallets..
  35. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Cowtown boy from Calgary, Canada writes: Baseball, Hockey, Football, Basketball, and even Nascar racing are more popular and this fact is not going to change in your lifetime.

    More Americans watch MLS than NHL so that's already changed in my lifetime. But regardless, I have never claimed soccer will be more popular than traditional American sports, so I am not sure why you brought that up.
  36. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Stephen Mulder from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Lets set the facts straight - Argos Averaged 31,000 per game last season. Not Barely managed 20,000 people ... MLSE did not build BMO. Governments did ... Lines on BMO field? Funny i don't see football lines when I'm at a blue jays game. I would how that works? ... I seem to like this though - alot of hate towards this coming from the TFC supporter. (B I) While everyone else seems to be stating the facts.' The Argos sent girls over to BMO Field to hand out 2 for 1 tickets to Toronto FC and U-20 World Cup fans as they were exiting the grounds. Most of those tickets wound up on the Go Train platform and the garbage bins but I'm sure they counted those toward their 'ticket sales' because for a team that supposedly averages 30,000 per game, there sure are tens of thousands of empty seats every game. MLSE did spend more that $20 million of its own money on BMO Field in addition to the fee for buying a MLS club, which is the price of two CFL teams. The Jays and the Argos use two different carpets that are rolled in and out accordingly. I am not sure what you can't understand about that. The same can't happen at BMO Field for various logistical reasons, the greatest of which is that the south side of BMO Field is a permanent stand and the CFL requires a bigger carpet and the Argos don't have enough money to retrofit the south end. These are facts. You simply didn't know them.
  37. mike r from Southern Ontario, Canada writes: Some stadiums need help for sure, but I also have issues with some of these proposals. I grew up in Steeltown and while yes I love the intimate feel of Ivor Wynne, they're been talking for years of making a new stadium either down on the water (Pier 10 I believe) or out at Clappison's Corners (Hwy 5&6). I think Clappison's Corners would be best traffic-wise, although the view from right down at the Harbour would be fantastic! The Argos got screwed over by UofT, they didn't want to pay to shut down a sideroad for a year and as a result, a perfect location for a CFL stadium - right in the annex by plenty of students, bars, and a minute walk from St. George subway station - was shot down. They bailed on their plans with York U but I hope they go back there because honestly, BMO field is something pretty much unique here in North America, something that shouldn't be touched. I am STRONGLY against changing BMO Field to accomodate the Agros, and this is coming from one of the biggest fans of Canadian Football - CIS University ball as much if not more than the CFL! The Argos should go back to York and see what can be done there, instead of piggybacking, and then eventually ruining, a truly amazing and unique experience that is TFC home games!
  38. mike r from Southern Ontario, Canada writes: Some stadiums need help for sure, but I also have issues with some of these proposals. I grew up in Steeltown and while yes I love the intimate feel of Ivor Wynne, they're been talking for years of making a new stadium either down on the water (Pier 10 I believe) or out at Clappison's Corners (Hwy 5&6). I think Clappison's Corners would be best traffic-wise, although the view from right down at the Harbour would be fantastic! The Argos got screwed over by UofT, they didn't want to pay to shut down a sideroad for a year and as a result, a perfect location for a CFL stadium - right in the annex by plenty of students, bars, and a minute walk from St. George subway station - was shot down. They bailed on their plans with York U but I hope they go back there because honestly, BMO field is something pretty much unique here in North America, something that shouldn't be touched. I am STRONGLY against changing BMO Field to accomodate the Agros, and this is coming from one of the biggest fans of Canadian Football - CIS University ball as much if not more than the CFL! The Argos should go back to York and see what can be done there, instead of piggybacking, and then eventually ruining, a truly amazing and unique experience that is TFC home games!
  39. L. W. from Greener Pastures, Canada writes: Priceless!, A soccer fan refering to other sports as boring. I would rather watch paint dry, than have to endure an entire soccer game.
  40. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: Stephen Mulder...if the Argos are averaging 30,000 per game what is the sense of moving into BMO Field? The only reason the idiots at Argoville want to move to BMO Field is there are tired of paying Ted all the rent for the Toilet Bowl. Plus the Argos want to recreate the McGill Stadium atmosphere in Toronto and think that BMO Field will solve there problem on TV when they see a half empty stadium watching CFL football. So now we have these CFL fans insulting the great feel good story of TFC that no one thought could ever happen most media types doomed it to failure. BI you are correct sir Toronto is a multicultural city that is soccer crazy and it will be reflected when Euro 2008 starts this summer. Hey they are over 180,000 requests for ticket for the Bills game even if ticket prices at $200 a pop. What about that CFL fans??
  41. Stephen Mulder from Toronto, Canada writes: http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=sked&func=view&year=2007

    Attendance figures. Do the math yourself. They don't count it as a ticket unless the ticket is sold AND the person attended. Thats what attendance is not what MLSE calls a sell out when it clearly is not - I'm referring to the Raptors.

    Remember the BMO is owned by the CITY. And if the City wants to pay for making a cfl field fit there, it will be done. Regardless of what TFC fans have to say about it.

    uncle rukus You are confusing 180,000 requests for tickets with 180,000 Requests for ticket information. A Request for tickets requires a deposit. While any old joe can request ticket information on a website.

    To quote (B I) 'The Jays and the Argos use two different carpets that are rolled in and out accordingly.'

    How do you know this? Because my friend (who worked at Rogers Center) tells me this is not the case.
  42. It Is Me from Canada writes: L. W. from Greener Pastures, Canada writes: Priceless!, A soccer fan refering to other sports as boring. I would rather watch paint dry, than have to endure an entire soccer game.

    ------------------------------------------------------

    ...or perhaps you mean "endure" an entire, endless baseball game!!

    Sorry to all baseball fans out there, but when north american fans complain that soccer is "slow" or "boring" I am only willing to take them seriously if they admit that baseball is waaaaaaay slower and boring.
  43. Cowtown boy from Calgary, Canada writes: Attendance figures. Do the math yourself. They don't count it as a ticket unless the ticket is sold AND the person attended

    I hate to break your bubble Stephen but just because the ticket is sold doesn't mean someone attended. They only count the tickets sold, it doesn't matter wether they show up or not.
  44. John Bladen from Canada writes: BI, Mike r, etc:

    Yes, the original plan (or one of them) for BMO was to have a "moving" stand on the one end that could slide out to accommodate the Argos/CFL field. At some point during the planning, I'm told, they did the detailed engineering on this and decided that it would cost an extra $45M to make that stand moveable (and would require them to close off a road they had built). So, they (rightly in my view) decided not to increase the cost of the stadium by 70% just to accommodate the Argos, who weren't interested in being there at that time anyway. Let's not forget this was when they were negotiating with Rogers too... and they got a great rental deal (which I'm guessing is about to expire? Hence the talk about a renovation?) at the Dome to stay.

    As for the roll up carpet at the dome, yes, the Argos used temporary turf for a while. None of the players really liked it, but it worked in the short term. I don't think that would be considered an option again.

    Michael Enright (really??!!): Sure, I'm with you on that. If TO's Mayor really wants the Argos to have their own digs, why not rebuild Lamport stadium? I bet you could purpose build a cheapo 30k seater there for less than the $45M it would cost to refit BMO. Not much parking on site, but hey, when has that ever stopped a political project before? Just make it real grass, since the Argos late season games will be played indoors at the dome anyway!
  45. Hugh Draper from Vancouver, Canada writes:
    The Lions and the Whitecaps should share a 30,000 seat stadium on the PNE grounds.
  46. JM The Habs Fan from Calgary, Canada writes: I think the Argos should rebuild Lamport stadium. Make it a football only field. I hate the Rogers Centre for football. I think that all CFL stadiums should be outdoors. I think that BMO is a nice stadium, but should remain soccer only. As for the pi$$ing match between TFC fans and Argo fans, they can both survive in Toronto. They have a similar fan base whether you like it or not. Toronto is a sports town. Because of the diversity in Toronto, enough people will show up to support TFC and because of the tradition and passion for CFL the Argos won't go anywhere (unless we have the Toronto Bills). I also wanted to note that there are alot of fans that like both. You can't paint a picture of what an Argos fan looks like or what a TFC fan looks like. They are both Toronto teams. Toronto is very diverse.
  47. Cowtown boy from Calgary, Canada writes: Toronto is a sports town

    Oh thats debateable. The argo's average 30,000 fans, I don't even know how many the Jays average, but not many. Only the leafs sell out regulary.

    Calgary and Edmonton have better attendance figures for CFL games than T.O. and they do this with less than 1/4 the population. They also sell out their hockey games. Even Saskatchewan average 28,000 per game. Sports town .... ya right.
  48. dan vanman from Canada writes: Wow BI...you really are a moron. I thought I'd talk to you like an adult, but if you just come with the insults, than well...same right back at you. Nothing more needs to be said in response to you. You are just another "ugly Torontonian", that is so full of it. The CFL is slow? Compared to what? The NFL? That idiotic statement says it all about your level of intelligence. Know it all? No. But I know a heck of a lot more than you. Putz.
  49. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: BI you may be missing something here and so are almost ALL of the lovers of soccer.

    Other than many little kids in this land (today) and most adults in the really LARGE cities the vast majority of 'native born' Canadians with that White Hair you detest on us Old White guys don't even know how soccer is played. We old natives only played baseball, hockey, boxed or played rugby (later football) when we were little blonde White Boys. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SOCCER WAS.

    I would wager that is still the case with more than half of Canadians especially us born and raised on farms outside large urban centres.

    The good folks that run soccer do not appear to understand this fact.
    Teach us your game of soccer and we'll probably like the game too.

    Sometimes watch Euro soccer on TV, but don't know what a mid-fielder does or who the Strikers are. It's all Greek to me.

    Soccer is just not inclusive in Canadian culture or history. Teach us how the game is played and maybe we'll join you in the stands.
  50. Kelly Bale from Regina, Canada writes: Mr. Hap Stokes. I am disappointed. Is it not clear to you that, year after year since the 60's, youth soccer has a higher percentage of Canadian youths enrolled than any of the other sports you mention? You missed the boat on that one. But you do have the internet. If you want to learn about soccer I highly recommend wikipedia among many other sites that will teach you. I don't know if you are into gaming at all but there is a simple series of team management games by a company called Eidos(now Sega) that you could download and put your new found knowledge to the test. Its is called 'Football Manager' and you can get a trial for FM08' here. Good luck!

    http://www.footballmanagerlive.com/
  51. M Poland from Calgary, Canada writes: Fred Forrest--McMahon Stadium in Calgary was built [in under the 90 days they thought it would take], paid for and then donated, by the McMahon brothers to the University of Calgary for the princely sum of $1. It is now run by a non-profit arms-length [from the Uni] society; and has been added on to over the years. Gotta love that private enterprise, Western-style.
  52. pik scott from Canada writes: BI is right .TO does not deserve a CFL team let them have there NFL. And when that blows up in their face ,they will have nothing,but the leafs which is the same as nothing. WE DON'T NEED TORONTO.
  53. Matthew McKenzie from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: It is good to see that they are considering new stadiums. A new one in Hamilton would be good, and since I mostly go to games in Winnipeg and new one would be cool too.

    Hamilton can argue that since Toronto got funding for a new stadium they should too. I think the Rogers Centre got some federal funding too, so maybe we should throw some in for Hamilton, Regina, Ottawa and Winnipeg.
  54. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Kelly...please don't tell Hap...or anyone else, to use wikipedia as a reference resource.

    Any reference where you can go and post what you like is certainly not a reputable reference to win an argument.

    I agree about soccer. Kind of strange how the most popular game on the planet is a niche sport in N. America.

Comments are closed

Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor.

Report an abusive comment to our editorial staff

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to top