Tim Hortons Field | 40m | ? | Complete

[LikeHamilton]

They have started to put the steel up!

[CaptainKirk]

The $147.5 million stadium that will house the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is on budget and on schedule, said Terence Foran, project communications advisor with Infrastructure Ontario, who is overseeing the development.

Foran said the foundation work is nearly complete on the former Ivor Wynne Stadium site and part of the structural bones have already been erected. Later in the summer, Hamiltonians will see a metal deck being installed that will be the new stadium's floor.

Tim Hortons Field will hold 22,500 spectators, fewer than Ivor Wynne, but 40,000 temporary seats can be added in the end zones for special events.

The stadium will be the home for all 32 men's and women's soccer games during the 2015 Pan Am Games.

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/07/25/hamilton-cosntruction.html

[king10]

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/07/25/hamilton-cosntruction.html

17 500 temporary seats can be added in the endzone for up to 40 000 seats:yes:

[mattgrande]

I took a picture as I headed past on Sunday.

http://i.imgur.com/NI4StQT.jpg

[CaptainKirk]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/9402777611_dbb7e5d0d5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9402777611/)
IMG_20130730_140815[1] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9402777611/) by Kozijak (http://www.flickr.com/people/99110147@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/9402774037_4679e00b99_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9402774037/)
IMG_20130730_141438[1] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9402774037/) by Kozijak (http://www.flickr.com/people/99110147@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/9405535274_b20b4f5240_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9405535274/)
IMG_20130730_140851[1] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9405535274/) by Kozijak (http://www.flickr.com/people/99110147@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/9405536586_10bd8b30c5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9405536586/)
IMG_20130727_150435[1] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99110147@N05/9405536586/) by Kozijak (http://www.flickr.com/people/99110147@N05/), on Flickr

[c@taract_soulj@h]

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/07/25/hamilton-cosntruction.html

Couldn't they have split the maximum capacity and met us halfway for permanant seats?

Just sayin

:D

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Here comes the upper deck

http://i.imgur.com/1v0l3Fn.jpg

[ScreamingViking]

Here comes the upper deck

She's going to be a tall girl. :cool:

[king10]

http://s23.postimg.org/x0m37zxxz/image.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/x0m37zxxz/)
The steel is really flyin and she is much higher than ivor wynne.

[matt602]

The East side stands are almost complete to the first level as well. The steel is flying up pretty quick.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Going up like a Meccano set.

[NortheastWind]

I know this was posted some pages back but I thought I would provide the link to the construction webcam again: http://www.ticats.ca/page/construction-cam

[ScreamingViking]

Going up like a Meccano set.

A good analogy. :tup:
(still have mine in a closet somewhere)

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Dig it out and give it a go. Betcha it isn't as much fun as you remember, however.

Re progress

I'm vaguely hopeful it'll be ready for summer 2014...vaguely. I wonder what the drop-dead date is for the Kitty Cats. There must be a certain point, perhaps this year, after which they must make alternate plans for next season.

[bigguy1231]

A little off topic, but did anyone see the cats game in Winnipeg. The stadium they built there looks great.

[Jon Dalton]

Yeah, Winnipeg and BC's stadiums look awesome. I'm sure Ottawa's will be pretty decent too.

[CaptainKirk]

Yeah, Winnipeg and BC's stadiums look awesome. I'm sure Ottawa's will be pretty decent too.

Ottawa --- All within a great mixed use, urban area.

Now that;'s city building. It's one part of many that feed off each other, and on a waterfront. Can't wait to go there!


http://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/images/con055493_123461115.jpg
http://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/images/con055527_123461003.jpghttp://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/images/con055497_123461110.jpghttp://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/images/con055499_123461104.jpghttp://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/images/con055520_123461044.jpghttp://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/images/con055523_123461026.jpg

[CaptainKirk]

http://www.obj.ca/media/photos/unis/2012/02/07/photo_1994872_resize_slideshow.jpghttp://www.obj.ca/media/photos/unis/2012/02/07/photo_1994881_resize_slideshow.jpg

[SteelTown]

Eh don't wanna see....Cannon Design also did the West Harbour stadium plan.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Eh don't wanna see....Cannon Design also did the West Harbour stadium plan.

And they are doing this as well

[ScreamingViking]

^Dig it out and give it a go. Betcha it isn't as much fun as you remember, however.

Re progress

I'm vaguely hopeful it'll be ready for summer 2014...vaguely. I wonder what the drop-dead date is for the Kitty Cats. There must be a certain point, perhaps this year, after which they must make alternate plans for next season.

You may be right. All those little nuts and bolts are less compatible with bigger fingers, and I recall many scrapes and scratches trying to manoeuvre the screwdriver and wrench in tight spots - today they'd be accompanied by heavy swearing and some throwing too :D (still have all of my Lego as well)

Re: the timeline, I wouldn't be surprised if the Guelph stands are not dismantled right after the season, and if the schedule does not include a July home game, just in case.

[ScreamingViking]

Ottawa --- All within a great mixed use, urban area.

Now that;'s city building. It's one part of many that feed off each other, and on a waterfront. Can't wait to go there!



Visiting the old Frank Clair, there was a very Ivor Wynne-esque feel on gameday. The neighbourhood surrounding it had some similarities to its Hamilton counterpart, minus Barton St. What they're doing to redevelop the whole of Lansdowne Park is terrific.

Based on what you've written before I know you feel like a big opportunity was missed at West Harbour. Though that area will be redeveloped anyway, I agree it would have been nice for a stadium to be part of it... but while West Harbour would have been good for the stadium I'm not sure any more that the stadium would have been as good for West Harbour.

It's easy to write off the potential of the so-called Stadium Precinct, but I tend to view it as an opportunity to create a great mixed-use urban area too. We've seen other Hamilton neighbourhoods rise from ashes when nobody ever thought they would 10 or 20 years ago. It will take time and a lot of work, but I think it can happen in this part of Ward 3 too.

[cjones2451]

TiCats now have the Virtual Venue looks for people to see what their seats will be like

http://ticats.io-media.com/#

[urban_planner]

looks like Ivro Wynn ;)

[fenwick16]

Based on the construction webcam, there is quite a bit of steel up now - http://ticats.ca/page/construction-cam

I think I should take a trip into Hamilton this weekend to get some pictures.

[fenwick16]

I drove into Hamilton to take some construction pictures of the new stadium. It certainly is tall and impressive. I can see why it is costing $140 million to build (I hope that I have the number right). It appears to have several concourse levels - does anyone know how many square feet of interior space it will have?

This is a great location to watch a stadium being build. Along Balsam Avenue and Melrose Avenue the stadium appears to be only 10 - 15 feet from the street.

West grandstand from Beechwood Avenue.
https://imageshack.com/scaled/large/571/0pzt.jpg

Another view of the west grandstand from Beechwood Avenue.
https://imageshack.com/scaled/large/32/wtrv.jpg

Back of the West grandstand from Melrose Avenue North.
https://imageshack.com/scaled/large/571/uwv5.jpg

West grandstand from Cannon Street East.
https://imageshack.com/scaled/large/534/qv3w.jpg

Closeup of the west grandstand from Cannon Street East
https://imageshack.com/scaled/large/94/bwj9.jpg

East stands from the corner of Cannon Street East and Balsam Avenue North.
https://imageshack.com/scaled/large/96/k0te.jpg

Back of the east stands from Balsam Avenue North.
https://imageshack.com/scaled/large/17/b8qq.jpg

[Beedok]

It's too bad that there wasn't enough land to build something like what they're making at Lansdown in Ottawa. Though I suppose something like that probably wouldn't have been built in Hamilton, so I should be happy that the land around is a fairly decent neighbourhood.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Finally an aerial shot of Tim Horton's Field

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BUd80DICMAAjW01.jpg

[ScreamingViking]

It's coming along. 2 more months or so until there's a bigger risk of winter weather, and it doesn't usually hit us harder until December - should be plenty of time to build the structure of the lower tiers and get things enclosed.

Recall that the foundations were complete and the steel structure started going up just after the middle of July.

[SteelTown]

City moving ahead with Pan Am precinct rec centre

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/city-moving-ahead-with-pan-am-precinct-rec-centre-1.1866374

The city is moving ahead with the plan to build a stand-alone recreation centre in the Pan Am precinct, but how much it will cost, and when it will open, will be determined over the next month.

The city hopes to know more in October about the price tag for the multimillion-dollar facility, and when it will be completed, said Paul Johnson, director of neighbourhood development strategies. But it could take at least a couple of years. The city will either try to get it completed before the July, 2015 games, or wait until after to build it.

The city initially planned to partner with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board for a joint rec centre and high school at Scott Park. The partnership fell apart, but the community centre is moving ahead.

Johnson gave an update on the project at a Pan Am precinct subcommittee meeting Tuesday morning. Staff will meet with neighbourhood residents in October to give an update and take ideas for the new centre, he said.

“We’re expecting to bring the community back together to have conversations on what this facility will look like,” he said.

“We need indoor space in this community, and the facilities there are beyond their useful life.”

The new centre will include a multi-lane pool and therapeutic area, a dance/fitness room and community rooms.

The initial price tag, which applied to the joint school board partnership, was $17 million.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, committee members heard an update on the $147.5-million Pan Am stadium.

Current work includes:

Steel superstructure work is ongoing.
The storm water management system is nearly completed.
The deep underground plumbing is 80-per cent complete.
Testing and inspection work is ongoing.

The stadium sign will read Terrain Tim Hortons Field, incorporating both French and English.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^I thought it was made clear that 'terrain' is not the correct translation for field in this context.

[c@taract_soulj@h]

Although I verbally thrash this project from time to time, this article is a bit sobering and gives me the outlook that maybe after all we can be happy with what we getting despite what we hear from Circus Hall :D

Lessons for Hamilton from Winnipeg’s new stadium
INVESTORS GROUP FIELD
Drew Edwards,The Hamilton Spectator
Aug 30, 2013

WINNIPEG
The most impressive element of the new Investors Group Field in Winnipeg is unquestionably the massive roof, its two sections of ornately-designed, curved steel covering almost eight acres and stretching almost 200 feet over the seats below. It's swooping profile is the iconic image used in much of the branding.

But the roof also added approximately $35 million to the cost and was the central factor in a year-long delay in opening the facility.

The new Hamilton stadium, due to open in time for the 2014 CFL season next July, will have no such roof, one of several important differences between Tim Hortons Field and the Investors Group version in Winnipeg.

One is cost. Tim Hortons Field has.....

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/4057874-lessons-for-hamilton-from-winnipeg-s-new-stadium/

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Tim Hortons Field has hit 50% completion and they are back on schedule to be completed by June 30th 2014 - per Councillor Lloyd Ferguson on the radio this morning

He's on the radio here - at the 10am hour

http://www.900chml.com/audio/

[thistleclub]

In honour of this morning's media tour, a classic rivalry gets a memorable new twist (http://torontoist.com/2013/11/rob-ford-i-would-never-do-that-im-happily-married-ive-got-more-than-enough-to-eat-at-home/).

[FrankieFlowerpot]

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=436631

HAMILTON, Ont. -- Hamilton's new stadium isn't quite half finished with just seven months before it's scheduled to open, but Pan Am Games CEO Ian Troop and Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina vow it will be done on time and on budget.

"You bet," Troop told reporters Thursday during a tour of the construction site. "We're right on track."

The CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats are slated to move into the $145.7-million state-of-the-art facility on June 30, 2014.

"We started it with that in mind and we're right on track," said Troop, who heads up the organizing committee for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

The stadium, which will host all 32 men's and women's soccer games at the Pan Ams, is being built on a 5.45-hectare parcel of land where the historic Ivor Wynne Stadium once stood. Bratina said if there are things that aren't completed by June, they will be minor and won't threaten the scheduled opening.

"There may be some washrooms that need painting or something like that," Bratina said. "With several months to go and assurances from contractors we're looking good, I'm sure it will be minor cosmetics that may be left over.

"But certainly I think by the end of June we'll be playing football and soccer in this stadium."

Hamilton will want to avoid the issues Winnipeg had with its new stadium, which was scheduled to open for the 2012 CFL season but didn't see any football until 2013 due to construction delays.

The Pam Am Games organizing committee says the stadium is more than 46 per cent complete and "progressing on time and on budget." The structural steel frame is roughly 96 per cent done while more than 80 per cent of the high voltage electrical work has been finished.

The committee says pre-cast concrete installation (over structural steel frame ) is 22 per cent done, more than half of the underground mechanical and electrical work is complete, masonry block installation on the west and south sides has begun, steel decks for pedestrian areas are more than 90 per cent finished and foundation work is also complete.

Pre-cast concrete will be complete early in the new year, the organizing committee said, while seating and turf installation will happen in the spring.

The stadium will feature two tiers of seats on both sides of the field with an initial seating capacity of 22,500. But that could expand to 40,000 seats for major events like the Grey Cup. It will meet all the technical requirements of both the CFL and FIFA, soccer's governing body.

The new field has shifted 90 degrees to a north-south axis from Ivor Wynne's east-west format. The move is designed to minimize the effect of the sun on athletes and reduce wind inside the facility.

"You think in terms of the old Ivor Wynne and you come here and start realizing what's being built here is quite an impressive facility," Troop said. "You can see the size and height and the nature of what's going to be here and your mind quickly wanders to what it's going to be like when you've got the championship soccer games during the Pan Am Games."

It will have a seating capacity of roughly 24,000 for Ticats home games and also feature 700 club seats, 400 group sales suites seats, 30 VIP suites, six elevators, larger seats, updated press and broadcasting facilities and concession stands on all levels.

The stadium will be able to host professional and amateur sports competitions as well as cultural events. There will also be a public plaza in the south end.

The federal government is footing $69.3 million of the bill. The city of Hamilton is paying $54.1 million with the province chipping in the remaining $22.3 million.

Bratina understands people doubting the project will finish on time and on budget but said he's sensing a shift in public sentiment regarding the stadium.

"Overriding that is actual pride in the building," he said. "I'm hearing less concern and more,'Wow.'

The stadium is located in a residential section of the city but Bratina says it's a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

"The neighbours are all excited about it and some of them are even saying their property values have gone up so there's another conversation going on I don't think it's as strongly oriented towards budgeting and time," he said.

[LikeHamilton]

CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium Video

http://www.bizclip.com/investinhamilton/index.php?streamname=cibc-stadium-50

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^That video shows Lloyd Ferguson as Ward 2 councillor. That would be the worst. Just sayin'...

[Beedok]

I would laugh of the Ti-Cats win the Grey Cup this year. :P

[bigguy1231]

Just heard on the news that Ian Troop has been fired.

[LikeHamilton]

And now.........

Pan Am stadium behind schedule!

Cold weather and the loss of a major contractor have put Pan Am stadium construction about two weeks behind schedule.

The masonry contractor for the $119-million stadium, Kappeler Masonry, went into receivership in December, leaving Infrastructure Ontario scrambling to find a replacement.

Stadium site supervisor Garreth Barkey told a Pan Am sub-committee a new contractor that also bid on the project is now in place and ready to work.

That unexpected curveball, combined with delays due to cold weather and ice-storm shipping problems, has left construction about two weeks behind schedule, he estimated.

Barkey said mechanical, electrical and pre-cast contractors will be "double-shifting" starting Feb. 3 to help catch up. Where possible, additional workers will also be brought in, he said.

More to come.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4326650-pan-am-stadium-behind-schedule/

[HillStreetBlues]

Barkey said mechanical, electrical and pre-cast contractors will be "double-shifting" starting Feb. 3 to help catch up. Where possible, additional workers will also be brought in, he said.


And over budget, almost certainly.

[markbarbera]

I can't see it coming in over budget. I think it was pretty obvious the cost estimates were greatly overestimated by the former Pan Am chief. Lloyd Ferguson was waving the yellow flag on that ages ago but no one was really paying attention. How else could the project be set up to come in under budget and pay out a healthy bonus? There is a reason why the chief has been dismissed from his position, the reasons for which we can only speculate.

[drpgq]

And now.........

Pan Am stadium behind schedule!

Cold weather and the loss of a major contractor have put Pan Am stadium construction about two weeks behind schedule.

The masonry contractor for the $119-million stadium, Kappeler Masonry, went into receivership in December, leaving Infrastructure Ontario scrambling to find a replacement.

Stadium site supervisor Garreth Barkey told a Pan Am sub-committee a new contractor that also bid on the project is now in place and ready to work.

That unexpected curveball, combined with delays due to cold weather and ice-storm shipping problems, has left construction about two weeks behind schedule, he estimated.

Barkey said mechanical, electrical and pre-cast contractors will be "double-shifting" starting Feb. 3 to help catch up. Where possible, additional workers will also be brought in, he said.

More to come.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4326650-pan-am-stadium-behind-schedule/

With a relatively cold winter, I thought that this would be just a matter of time. I often disagree with Lloyd Ferguson on local politics, but I think he's worth listening to on the stadium.

[thistleclub]

Ticats open Tim Hortons Field on July 26 (http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/4362793-ticats-open-tim-hortons-field-on-july-26/)
(Hamilton Spectator, Drew Edwards, Feb 12 2014)

The Ticats will open Tim Hortons Field on July 26, the Spectator has learned.

The team will also play a home pre-season game at Ron Joyce Field at McMaster University. And yes, there will be a 2014 version of the Labour Day Classic — on Labour Day against the Argos.

The CFL is set to announce its full schedule at noon on Wednesday.

The team will open the season on the road in Saskatchewan before heading to Edmonton in Week 2. The Ticats will then enjoy the first of two bye weeks scheduled in 2014, before playing their third straight road game to begin the season.

The extended road trip is necessary as the team awaits the completion of Tim Hortons Field. The $148 million stadium is due to be completed by June 30, but it was reported in January that crews were attempting to make up for delays that had cost them two weeks.

The pre-season game at McMaster will give a first look at the 2014 edition of the team, which is coming off a 10-8 season and a trip to last year's Grey Cup. The team is also expected to hold training camp at the university facility, as they've done for the past five seasons. The pre-season game will feature no alterations to the existing configuration, which seats 6,000.

The Labour Day Classic will return after one-year absence. The game, which traditionally pits the Ticats against the archrival Argonauts, is a focal point of the season for many Ticat fans. With the team playing their home games in Guelph during 2013 and Argos limited by the availability of Rogers Centre, there was no Classic last season.

This year's game will be played on Sept. 1.

[coalminecanary]

Imagine how much more exciting this announcement would be if it was happening here instead:
http://echo.mohawkcollege.ca/urbanrenewal/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/600_pan_stadium.jpg

[SteelTown]

^ Please, PLEASE, just move on already. Enough with beating a dead horse already.

[coalminecanary]

nothing different than posting pictures of buildings that were stupidly torn down. the ticats are going to get exactly the amount of buzz they deserve for opening this disappointing compromise of a stadium: none.

[Beedok]

I think it would get about the same buzz wherever it went, just with slightly different people based off geography.

[matt602]

What's done is done. No reason to pour salt in the wound. No good could possibly come of it.

[CaptainKirk]

Imagine how much more exciting this announcement would be if it was happening here instead:
http://echo.mohawkcollege.ca/urbanrenewal/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/600_pan_stadium.jpg

Unfortunately, one of the lasting legacies of this new stadium will be the squandered opportunity of missing out on he downtown/waterfront revitalization.

While some will say move on, forget about it, others will always be reminded. I don't think that will ever go away.


What's done is done. No reason to pour salt in the wound. No good could possibly come of it.

No salt pouring. It's just that the wound is so big. So much damage done.

[coalminecanary]

If we move on and forget our huge mistakes, we never learn from them.

[thistleclub]

Leading discussion items on tomorrow's GIC agenda (http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/CorporateServices/Clerks/AgendaMinutes/GeneralIssues/2014/February13GIC.htm), Tim Horton’s Field Enhancements (PW14016) (http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/686FB053-8323-44DC-80EB-C7FC3068BE5D/0/Feb1351PW14016.pdf).

[Beedok]

One advantage to not moving the stadium is that it will basically be on the B-Line LRT route. That's worth something no?

[matt602]

One advantage to not moving the stadium is that it will basically be on the B-Line LRT route. That's worth something no?

What's also worth noting is that it will be separated from the stadium by a massive parking lot for high school teachers.

[ScreamingViking]

Unfortunately, one of the lasting legacies of this new stadium will be the squandered opportunity of missing out on he downtown/waterfront revitalization.

We can still have both. :cheers:

[CaptainKirk]

What's also worth noting is that it will be separated from the stadium by a massive parking lot for high school teachers.

Massive?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it's only going on the school building footprint. The pool, and baseball fields stay as they are city property.

[Jon Dalton]

The waterfront will do fine. More residential and commercial is better anyways. The stadium decision is strictly the Tiger Cats' loss.

[thomax]

Construction Update:

http://i61.tinypic.com/2vb8pb5.jpg
Source: My Photo

Larger Size:
http://i57.tinypic.com/25p39qs.jpg
Source: My Photo

[ScreamingViking]

I was on the brow yesterday. It's an impressive structure from up there, though with all the wintery greys in the city it will stand out a lot more once things green up (and especially once the seats are installed)

I took a few pictures, but I don't have an account on a photo-sharing site. I should set one up - any recommendations/preferences?

[thomax]

I took a few pictures, but I don't have an account on a photo-sharing site. I should set one up - any recommendations/preferences?

I upload my photos to tinypic.com (http://tinypic.com/). You can upload with or without an account.

[ScreamingViking]

I upload my photos to tinypic.com (http://tinypic.com/). You can upload with or without an account.

Thanks! I'll check it out, along with some of the others like Flickr.

I think I can link to my Google+ account but I'd prefer to set up a separate one just for images.

[mattgrande]

I use imgur; it also doesn't require an account.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Posted this in the main forum - thought I'd repost here

I was down at Tim Hortons Field myself this afternoon - I was driving home from the in-laws in London and decided to pull into Hamilton and see how things were going first hand.

First impression was this feels a lot bigger than BMO Field

I took one lap of the site - there's about 25 pictures in all - I hope they can all fit in one post. Started at the southeast corner and walked counter clockwise.

Enjoy :)

http://i.imgur.com/mQwZNAK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WCqqO3C.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lQpdG6f.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XwZiGNd.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nV8OlTV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hXRabWn.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wm6WHF4.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/D7Woeug.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/G7YzBwJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LAZe7Mr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ebhq9jD.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/w6Gii4i.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WqItJFM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UgmEtrD.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CtIWowo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/biYnR7F.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/s412qIc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fU9RmXW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Lk4h7ZI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7ObW2A6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/w5c7iR1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ddZ09qN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/F8ZcIXb.jpg

[coalminecanary]

beagle party!

[coalminecanary]

or bagel

[palace1]

Fingers crossed but hard to believe it will be 100% ready by June 30th

[ScreamingViking]

Posted this in the main forum - thought I'd repost here

I was down at Tim Hortons Field myself this afternoon - I was driving home from the in-laws in London and decided to pull into Hamilton and see how things were going first hand.

Thanks! I enjoy seeing the details like that.

[Skully2001]

Yeah, there's no way this thing'll be done by end of June - there's still so much work to be done and the weather isn't exactly cooperating...

[c@taract_soulj@h]

Once there's colour to our new elephant, some heads may finally turn.

I still cant get over on how high the one side is...neat view though from the very top row I would imagine!

[Dr Awesomesauce]

The yellow seats are going to look great.

The west grandstand looks quite interesting, actually. And, yes, really tall. The east stands are quite boring in comparison.

[ScreamingViking]

There will be some great views of the city, especially from the ends of the upper deck on the east side and the upper concourse on the west near the top of the stairways.

[king10]

could be up to 6 weeks behind schedule...

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4425255-hamilton-stadium-consortium-acknowledges-possible-six-week-delay/

[SteelTown]

Really? Might as well have camouflage blankets covering both sides of the street along Burlington and Gage.

http://i.cbc.ca/1.2586102.1395780749!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/pan-am-parking.jpg

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/will-brownfield-parking-make-a-good-impression-on-pan-am-visitors-1.2586061

[Berklon]

Oh my Jesus.

Not only is parking so far away (regardless of the shuttle buses) it WILL leave a HORRIBLE impression. It doesn't matter how nice they make the lots, the surroundings are ugly. They also have to offer shuttle services from the GO Station(s) to the stadium as well.

These problems are avoided if this were anywhere in the West end. Closer to the GO stations and no eye-sore. Imagine the impression people would have of Hamilton coming in from the west end (with train or car) instead of going over the Skyway as well as seeing the surroundings while around the Stadium (ie. North end).

Will never step foot in this thing.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Good God...

Tourists from around the country and the world will have to run the gauntlet to get to the stadium. What a shame. Our image will take a further hit if this remains the case.

[mattgrande]

Nothing says "Welcome To Hamilton" like a 1.5km walk down Gage Street.

[markbarbera]

An estimated 30% of the spectators will be arriving by GO Transit and will be shuttled from the brand new James North station via the newly transformed Cannon Street, complete with the dedicated bicycle tracks. I am sure that will leave those tourists with a very positive impression.

In addition, we have until 2015 to transform Gage into a more pedestrian friendly road. This can be an opportunity to spur commercial development along Gage Avenue North, particularly if this is promoted as the regular route for people attending games and events at Ivor Wynne. How about we celebrate the positive impacts instead of dwelling in the boring, predictable negativity that so many Hamiltonians seem to prefer?

[HillStreetBlues]

An estimated 30% of the spectators will be arriving by GO Transit and will be shuttled from the brand new James North station via the newly transformed Cannon Street, complete with the dedicated bicycle tracks. I am sure that will leave those tourists with a very positive impression.

In addition, we have until 2015 to transform Gage into a more pedestrian friendly road. This can be an opportunity to spur commercial development along Gage Avenue North, particularly if this is promoted as the regular route for people attending games and events at Ivor Wynne. How about we celebrate the positive impacts instead of dwelling in the boring, predictable negativity that so many Hamiltonians seem to prefer?

I like your optimism. I’m not sure if we are really going to transform a lower city street into something pedestrian-friendly within a year given the city’s track record, but it’s worth a shot, and, if we’re disappointed in the end, I’m sure we’re all used to it anyway.

Is it really 30% of spectators that will arrive by Go? Each train has a total capacity of- what?- 2500? 30% seems like an optimistic guess. And I’m not sure how transformed Cannon Street will be anyway.

[mattgrande]

Yeah, as HillStreetBlues said, it's nice to see some optimism, markbarbera. I try to keep my optimism, but sometimes this city can make it difficult... and this neverending winter sure isn't helping!

I think Cannon will be really nice once it's done. I really question if anything can be done to Gage in time, though. It's not the nicest looking area:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.257063,-79.824788,3a,75y,210.12h,94.83t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sJ7nxLWAopuFjAjaDPuWD1A!2e0

[markbarbera]

Yeah, as HillStreetBlues said, it's nice to see some optimism, markbarbera. I try to keep my optimism, but sometimes this city can make it difficult... and this neverending winter sure isn't helping!

I think Cannon will be really nice once it's done. I really question if anything can be done to Gage in time, though. It's not the nicest looking area:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.257063,-79.824788,3a,75y,210.12h,94.83t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sJ7nxLWAopuFjAjaDPuWD1A!2e0

How about thinking creatively? Yes, the warehouses that front onto Gage Avenue North are unattractive, but do they have to be that way? Here is an idea - how about the City sponsor an art project to create murals along those walls? They could celebrate this city's rich history in industry and labour, as well honouring significant people and places that make up Hamilton's political and cultural heritage. I envision something along the same lines as the murals in Belfast, Northern Ireland (http://www.belfast-murals.co.uk/), which have made a working class, industrialized neighborhood (not unlike Hamilton's north end) an international tourist attraction. The people that travel along that route could admire a public art display of pretty impressive magnitude, and Hamilton's artist community could benefit from the work and experience, as well as the notoriety of being involved in the Hamilton Murals.

[king10]

How about thinking creatively? Yes, the warehouses that front onto Gage Avenue North are unattractive, but do they have to be that way? Here is an idea - how about the City sponsor an art project to create murals along those walls? They could celebrate this city's rich history in industry and labour, as well honouring significant people and places that make up Hamilton's political and cultural heritage. I envision something along the same lines as the murals in Belfast, Northern Ireland (http://www.belfast-murals.co.uk/), which have made a working class, industrialized neighborhood (not unlike Hamilton's north end) an international tourist attraction. The people that travel along that route could admire a public art display of pretty impressive magnitude, and Hamilton's artist community could benefit from the work and experience, as well as the notoriety of being involved in the Hamilton Murals.

this is actually a really neat idea. i'd support it if done right

[ihateittoo]

If they were to follow an idea like that which I believe is a possibility then I hope they put some anchor pieces like the use of sculpture or plaques and not just painted walls. I'm not sure if it was city commissioned it or not, but I fear we'd get something like that world cycling championship mural on the city motor hotel wall and that didn't age well.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

There are no bad ideas, as they say. And I know people are just trying to be constructive but I really wonder how many of you have taken a stroll down Gage N. Don't be embarrassed if you haven't - there's no reason to. After all, it's an industrial wasteland! No amount of planters, sculptures, bike lanes or murals can alter this fact. We have to find another route for visitors to take. That's the only real option. Sorry to be such a downer.

[ScreamingViking]

Isn't one of those large industrial lots behind the plaza rumoured to be where the new soccer fields will go? When is that process supposed to start?

Gage Ave. N. is pretty ugly, but there are actually a lot of trees between Burlington St. and Gertrude - it's not a lovely tree-lined boulevard by any stretch of the imagination (and there are empty lots and a power substation), but the worst parts are the blocks between Gertrude and Barton, especially south of Beach Rd.

Long term I think there's opportunity for so much more. Especially when some of those brownfields and lots around Burlington St. see new industrial/commercial development. I think they're likely to be the first candidates for that in the north end, as they'll probably be the easiest to remediate.

[Berklon]

There are no bad ideas, as they say. And I know people are just trying to be constructive but I really wonder how many of you have taken a stroll down Gage N. Don't be embarrassed if you haven't - there's no reason to. After all, it's an industrial wasteland! No amount of planters, sculptures, bike lanes or murals can alter this fact. We have to find another route for visitors to take. That's the only real option. Sorry to be such a downer.

You're not being a downer... you're just being realistic.

What needs to be done to sufficiently improve the aesthetics won't be done by 2015. Anything that can be done up to that point is basically putting lipstick on a pig.

[Skully2001]

An estimated 30% of the spectators will be arriving by GO Transit and will be shuttled from the brand new James North station via the newly transformed Cannon Street, complete with the dedicated bicycle tracks. I am sure that will leave those tourists with a very positive impression.

In addition, we have until 2015 to transform Gage into a more pedestrian friendly road. This can be an opportunity to spur commercial development along Gage Avenue North, particularly if this is promoted as the regular route for people attending games and events at Ivor Wynne. How about we celebrate the positive impacts instead of dwelling in the boring, predictable negativity that so many Hamiltonians seem to prefer?

Isn't Cannon one way, Mark? How are they going to be shuttled east along this street? Are there plans to make it two-way in time for the games? I thought it was strictly the bike lanes that are going to be two way, no?

[markbarbera]

Isn't Cannon one way, Mark? How are they going to be shuttled east along this street? Are there plans to make it two-way in time for the games? I thought it was strictly the bike lanes that are going to be two way, no?

I would expect the shuttle bus would follow the same route as the HSR's Route 3 Cannon bus. The route runs eastbound from downtown to Sherman via Wilson, then continues eastbound on Cannon (Cannon is two-way east of Sherman). The westbound Cannon runs the entire length of Cannon. I suppose technically, transit users would only see the new bike lanes on the trip back from the stadium to the station.

If they bike from the station to the stadium, then they can enjoy the entire length of Cannon in both directions.

[ScreamingViking]

Our lesser-shared skyline angle was captured in the latest Tim Hortons Field construction update (http://www.ticats.ca/photo_gallery/gallery/id/11713). I thought the other two views were neat as well.

http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/ham/images/photo_gallery/2014/03/crop_20176130520.jpg

http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/ham/images/photo_gallery/2014/03/crop_20176030533.jpg

http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/ham/images/photo_gallery/2014/03/crop_20176190514.jpg


There's also a video:
http://www.ticats.ca/video/index/id/95267

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Nice view!

[drpgq]

If you're going to go all the way to Burlington and Gage to park, why not just park at Centre Mall (or whatever the proper name is now)?

Also, how many people are actually going to show up to these games? I'm guessing only a handful will be really well attended.

[Beedok]

The Panam games? Or Ti-cat games? I'm guessing Ti-cat games will be drawing about the same crowd as before.

[ScreamingViking]

If you're going to go all the way to Burlington and Gage to park, why not just park at Centre Mall (or whatever the proper name is now)?

Also, how many people are actually going to show up to these games? I'm guessing only a handful will be really well attended.

I guess the Centre isn't an "official" option because their parking is supposed to be for power centre patrons (though I bet a lot of people use it regardless)

Hard to say how many of the Pan Am soccer fans will be local vs. foreign, a large proportion of the latter who'd be staying in Toronto. You'd think many Pan Am visitors would rely on public transport, so maybe the parking issue isn't so big? Hamiltonians, especially those who attend Ti-Cat games, will know the drill based on the way things were with IWS.

[SteelTown]

Ticats invest an extra $5 million into stadium

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4477319-ticats-invest-an-extra-5-million-into-stadium/

The Ticats said Tuesday that they will be investing an additional $5 million in the new Hamilton stadium.

The money will be invested in football-oriented facilities such as locker rooms as well as medical and training areas.

The Cats also announced that they have set a record for season ticket sales in the new Tim Hortons Field, and are closing in on 15,000. All corporate suites and club seats are sold out.

Team president Glenn Gibson said the team plans to cap season tickets at 16,000. The stadium will hold approximately 24,500 fans for Ticat games.

The first home game at the new $146 million stadium is set for July 26.

[mattgrande]

24,500? I thought it was closer to 22,000?

[SteelTown]

There's standing only areas as well, party section by the end zone.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^There's another number I've never seen before. It's a minor thing but I hate the fact that so many different construction costs have been quoted over the course of this process > $147, $146, $144, $115. Let's just get this bloody thing over with.

[ScreamingViking]

I didn't expect the endzone patios to sell out - they're a new concept here, and the pricing seemed kind of high. I'm surprised they were able to sell all 30 suites and the club level by this point too, but that's great.

One can be critical of the way the team has dealt with the city, but they're clearly doing a good job with the business community.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

From Waldorfian at Ticats.ca

http://i.imgur.com/f9ETQif.png

[mattgrande]

Two months and 11 days until the first home game.

[thomax]

Video: Tim Hortons Field Construction Update - May 15 (http://www.ticats.ca/video/index/id/96275)