Future of Ivor Wynne Stadium

[SteelTown]

Council has to pick one of the 3 options on November 7th, 2007.............

Staff has presented three options for consideration by Council:

1. Maintain the facility to meet current health and safety guidelines only;
2. Undertake the repairs necessary over the next five to ten years in a planned approach, which does not impact the stadium’s tenants, the Hamilton Tiger Cats.; or,
3. Consider construction of a new stadium in a new location while continuing to make necessary repairs to the Stadium.

OPTION I
Maintain the Facility to meet current health and safety related repairs to the concrete and/or steel structures. There are no staffing implications with this option. The financial implications are greatly reduced in the short-term, limited mainly to replacing stairways, which have been identified as needing replacement. The cost to replace each stairway ranges from $45,000 to $60,000.

Total cost to replace all stairways, when completed, will be in the neighbourhood of $850,000 spread over three years. Financing for this phase of repair could be completed as part of block-funding. In addition, staff would continue to monitor the safety of the stadium.

OPTION II
Continue with the three-year plan to replace the steel stairways and develop a phased replacement plan for the concrete slabs over the next five to ten years. There are no staffing implications with this option. The financial implications are funding the capital project for the slab. Estimated at a cost of approximately $14,000,000 (2004 funds) for concrete and seat replacement, the funding required on an annual basis is greater than the available annual block-funding amount. If this option is selected, staff would recommend an alternative funding source be identified to pay for this repair.

By selecting Option II, the life of Ivor Wynne Stadium would be prolonged. The cost to repair the stadium at this time would be less than the cost to construct a new stadium. The investment in the artificial turf, completed in 2003, along with the replacement of the concrete slabs and the installation of new stairways and seating would provide a much improved venue for the Hamilton Tiger Cats Football Organization to continue to call home.

It would improve the comfort for patrons while they were enjoying sporting events at the stadium. There are limitations with this site that should be considered that have restricted the use of the stadium over the years. The lack of parking has put a strain on the neighbourhood during special events at the stadium. The close proximity to homes has created noise and lighting infringements on the neighbours, which in turn, has limited the types of events that can be offered at the site, thereby minimizing the revenue potential.

OPTION III
Consider construction of a new stadium in a new location while continuing to make necessary repairs to the Stadium. Although the current stadium is in need of repairs, which should be completed within the next five to ten years, Council could consider continuing to monitor the status of the concrete and steel structures and work towards the construction of a new stadium in a new
location. The potential for establishing a private/public partnership could reduce costs not only on construction, but potentially on operating costs as well.

The cost of a new stadium would exceed $100 million, but the potential to develop a new facility in partnership with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and other local sports groups could be investigated. The current location of Ivor Wynne Stadium has presented limitations for what the stadium can be used for and as a result, the stadium has not been able to maximize its revenue potential. Finding a new location away from residential areas with sufficient parking and adequate transportation access could potentially provide an appeal to attract new partners and users of a new stadium.

The downside of this proposal is the capital dollars and ability to finance such a venture. Without funding assistance from other government levels and partners, the costs may be out of reach.

PDF File: http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyre...oadtesting.pdf

[DC83]

I think it's obvious that building a new stadium downtown is the best option.
I agree with making it a Multi-Use facility, however, like many of the forumers on ticats.ca I don't want to see a Track run around the field. IMO this takes away from the game-viewing experience!
By Multi-Use, of course, I had concerts, a new Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Restaurants, TiCats (Roar) Store, etc etc in mind
When they DO rebuild the stadium, it should be built like Ivor Wynn to create the best possible atmosphere for fans/spectators. Ivor Wynn has been considered to toughest football field to play at for an Away team in the CFL b/c the fans are so close to the field.
The fact that the dugouts are inbedded into the stands is also great.
IMO, Ivor Wynn is the best stadium to watch football of all the stadiums in the CFL I have been to (Rogers Ctr, Ivor Wynn & McGill-Molson Stadium).

[SteelTown]

I agree no track for the stadium, if you need a track go to McMaster or Mohawk Sports Park. That or run around Bayfront or Beach trail.

I see no harm in going for option III, fix IWS a little bit well at the same time working up funding for a new stadium.

[DC83]

^^ That's the reno'd current Ivor Wynn, right?
I think it looks great, and although I REALLY want a downtown Stadium, that reno job seems pretty nice.

During the Commonwealth bid, they proposed the current Ivor Wynn would be demo'd and high-density townhomes would be built on it's site. Is that still the plan if a new stadium is built elsewhere? That neighbourhood could use some higher-end housing... might spill over into the Delta neighbourhood. Some of the low-rise buildings across from Scott Park ("School") that were built to house the Athletes during the Empire Games are gorgeous and could really use gentrification in the hood!

[SteelTown]

No, that's the proposed stadium during the Commonwealth Games bid.

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by DC83

During the Commonwealth bid, they proposed the current Ivor Wynn would be demo'd and high-density townhomes would be built on it's site. Is that still the plan if a new stadium is built elsewhere? That neighbourhood could use some higher-end housing... might spill over into the Delta neighbourhood. Some of the low-rise buildings across from Scott Park ("School") that were built to house the Athletes during the Empire Games are gorgeous and could really use gentrification in the hood!

If a new stadium was to be built IWS will be demolished and replaced with a Rec Centre. The Park would get fixed up and redesigned with new housing.

[SteelTown]

Ivor Wynne stairwells not up to building code

November 02, 2007
By DANIEL NOLAN

Stairwells at Ivor Wynne Stadium are safe but do not conform to the Ontario Building Code and city staff are recommending council spend $850,000 to replace them all before 2010.

The recommendation is contained in a report which outlined two other options for the 77-year-old stadium: spending $14 million before 2014 to replace concrete slabs and seats at the home of the Tiger-Cats or build a new stadium at the cost of $100 million.

But the report, to be presented Wednesday to the emergency and community services committee, says the second two options are costly and the city would need alternative funding sources to make them happen.

Staff does speak favourably of a new stadium.

Staff says if it were built in a new location and away from its east end residential neighbourhood, sufficient parking and public transit access could attract new partners and users of a stadium and more revenue could be generated.

“The downside of this proposal is the capital dollars and ability to finance such a venture,” says the report. “Without funding assistance from other government levels and partners, the costs may be out of reach.”

With respect to the option of fixing only the stairs, staff say the city would continue to monitor the safety of the Balsam Avenue North landmark but “the financial implications are greatly reduced in the short-term.”

The recommendation grew out of structural integrity assessment of Ivor Wynne when the city was preparing its unsuccessful bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

A consultant found some concerns about concrete seating slabs and stairwells, but said a further investigation would be needed to determine the load-carrying abilities of the structures.

In the fall of 2004, the consultant determined after doing load tests that all concrete slabs in the south and east stands were showing signs of cracking but were found to be safe for public use.

However, it was recommended that they should be replaced before 2014.

All of the stairwells of the south, east and north stands supported the test loads without showing signs of failure, but replacement by 2014 is again recommended.

However, the consultant noted that none conformed with the present day building code.

Staff have already begun replacing the stairwells, starting with two stairways on the east-end of the stadium last year.

An additional eight on the south side of the stadium are set to be repaired this month.

Staff say if the concrete slabs supporting the seating on the south and east sides of Ivor Wynne are not replaced before 2014, annual load-testing will have to be done to ensure public safety.

The estimated cost for such tests is $15,000 each year and, if a section of the stadium were to fail a test, it would have to be closed to the public.

The report also says the estimated cost to replace the concrete slabs, stairways and seating is $14 million, based on 2004 dollars.

This costing includes between $4 million and $5 million for new seats.

[SteelTown]

Bob Young announced after winning today's last game of the year that ticket prices will be going up next year, perhaps a new stadium enhancement fee?

[the dude]

^ummmmm, that seems like bad timing.

[raisethehammer]

better be for a new stadium or serious enhancements.
Why else would I want to pay more money to watch this crap team??