|
Argos-York University Stadium Deal canned (bad for soccer fans too)
|
View this Thread in Original format
| dEsidEL |
Argos announced that they will no longer be moving to the planned 20,000 seat stadium originally to be built on the York University campus grounds. as some of you might know this would be stadium was supposed to help spur Toronto's bid for an MLS team as well as to host the the 2007 World Youth Soccer Championship in addition to being part of the larger Olympic development project to take place in the Downsview area.
so who are the losers in all this?
- York University
- Amateur athletes
- Soccer fans
more info below..
| quote: |
Game Over
If you build it, they will come.
So went the infamous catchphrase from the movie “Field of Dreams”. They were the operative words at York University late last year, when the Toronto Argos boldly announced they’d be moving the team to a new $70 million stadium at the campus for the 2007 season.
But despite securing the financing for the move, on Friday there were rumblings the team wasn’t ready to make the commitment after all.
And those cold feet turned positively freezing Monday, after the Grey Cup champs admitted they were staying at the Rogers Centre.
The former SkyDome had borrowed from a different film – The Godfather – and made the C.F.L. franchise an offer it couldn’t refuse: better scheduling, a more enhanced facility and an improved financial picture that left the Boatmen unable to row away.
The domed structure also ensures fans can watch their hometown heroes in comfort, not a small consideration in the often chilly fall months in Toronto.
"We feel bad for York," admits Argo co-owner David Cynamon. "They're great people. You couldn't ask for better partners if we were going to work further in that situation. We feel very bad but it was the right thing to do for the Toronto Argonauts ... economically and also for our fans. It turned out to be a better situation."
The new agreement includes options that could last 15 years.
The Argos were going to pony up $20 million of the final price tag for the University’s new play ground, with the feds and the province punting in $35 million and York scoring another $15 million.
The fate of the first event scheduled for the venue, the 2007 World Youth Soccer Championship, is now in limbo, along with the structure itself.
But the tournament's organizers are confident something will be there in time for the games.
"Will it be an Air Canada Centre-type facility? No, of course not," admits the Cdn. Soccer Association's Kevan Pipe. "You can't build Air Canada Centre-type facilities with the types of money we're talking about. But will it be an effective, an efficient stadium that will service our needs from a national perspective as well as many other perspectives for the years to come? . . . Absolutely."
The University will only say it’s pondering what to do next, and calls the decision "disappointing, although not wholly unexpected."
And there’s not much time to come to a resolution – in order for the facility to be ready for the June 1, 2007 kickoff, plans have to be finalized within the next few days.
May 2, 2005
|
source:
http://www.pulse24.com/Sports/Top_S...02-001/page.asp
|
|
|
| naesean3 |
that does suck - they only sport I really do enjoy and hope to come here in a full impact way :(
damn those people making the decision for US!!!! |
|
|
| ChemEnhanced |
It is all about the dollar. I never once thought the Argos would leave skydome/rogers centre. The cost is too great for a team/league that does not make enough money. Rogers is basically giving them free room and board.....I think I would stay too.
I feel for the soccer fans out there but since I could care less about soccer it doesn't bother me one bit. |
|
|
| Jayx1 |
| Skydome needs all the events it can get. This might actually be a good thing. Also, stadiums and pro sports in the suburbs? Thats just not good planning and not good economically. People drive in, park, go to the game and drive out. Surrounding business get little spin off from that especially compared to downtown. |
|
|
| starsearcher |
It was a dumb idea to begin with...who builds a stadium in York anyway...ugh...too bad in terms of the losses and all but quite honestly i'm glad it went under.
It's in the middle of nowhere, out of the city almost, with no public transport access other than busses...stupid! They need to build the varsity stadium if anything...at least that one's in the middle of the city and makes much more sense |
|
|
| rabbitjoker |
As a big-time Argo fan - staying in the Rogers Centre is much better than having a stadium up in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do before or after the game.
I will probably reconsider my season ticket renewal as a result of this change. |
|
|
| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by starsearcher
It's in the middle of nowhere, out of the city almost, with no public transport access other than busses...stupid! |
the TTC is planning to extend the Spadina subway line to Steeles and Keele and possibly northwards to the Vaughan Commercial Centre at Jane & Hwy 7. The new Chestwood and York U subway stations would be right by the stadium.
I think the stadiums would be used by the various York U teams as well as a possibly future MLS team in TO.
this news is probably better for Argos fans but bad for everyone else. I read in the newspaper today that York U is considering suing the Argos club now .. wonder what's gonna happen ..
|
|
|
| St_Andrew |
Thats too bad, toronto definitely needs an MLS team ;)
There is no perfect city without a decent soccer team! :p |
|
|
|
|
