Tim Hortons Field | 40m | ? | Complete

[king10]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

Huh? Are you the self-appointed taste-maker here? lol.

Seriously, that sign is $hit and that won't change. The LED is the least crappy part of it.

I don't have to get *used* to anything. Is that the attitude that defines Hamilton:reach for the bottom? No thanks.

excuse me? you call me out as the self appointed taste maker and then go on to say "that sign is shit and that wont change." Guess what I dont think its shit so you seem to be "self appointing taste." the key word in my post was "I" I dont find a problem with it. Who said I was forcing my taste on others. You're the one who seems to be forcing your taste onto everyone else by saying "that sign is shit and it won't change" So I ask you "Huh? Are you the self-appointed taste-maker here? lol."

talk about contradicting yourself

And yes you will have to get "used" to it, because more of these signs are coming. If you don't get "acquainted" (is that better vocab for you?) to it, it sounds like you're going to have a hernia. Have a look around the world. Led signs are the norm. If Hamilton is reaching for the bottom, Toronto, NYC, LA, Tokyo Japan, Hong Kong and all of Asia has already reached it. God forbid Hamilton turn out like them.

The reason I support the sign has to do with the money coming back to the city and the fact that the Cats will be fronting the full cost of it.

"Merulla is looking for some revenue benefits to the city from that advertising. Gibson says the club is working with the city on a commercial agreement."

"I look forward to it being beneficial financially to the city," he said.

[movingtohamilton]

Oh calm down. Really, this has always been a fun forum for me, which I discovered before I moved here.

It's been informative, and sometimes argumentative. But the threads don't usually take on your tone. I apologize if you feel insulted by me, as that was not intended, OTOH, please lower your tone, thanks.

I've traveled extensively, and many world-class cities are light-years ahead of Hamilton in so many critically important ways. If you truly think residents have to accept mediocrity, we will always disagree. This city has such promise.

[king10]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

Oh calm down. Really, this has always been a fun forum for me, which I discovered before I moved here.

It's been informative, and sometimes argumentative. But the threads don't usually take on your tone. I apologize if you feel insulted by me, as that was not intended, OTOH, please lower your tone, thanks.

I've traveled extensively, and many world-class cities are light-years ahead of Hamilton in so many critically important ways. If you truly think residents have to accept mediocrity, we will always disagree. This city has such promise.

I apologize for my tone as well.

I dont disagree that other cities are lightyears ahead of hamilton.

I don't think accepting this sign is mediocrity though. Its a simple sign, and wont render our city as mediocre. I don't think residents are forced to accept medicoricity. It is of one opinion that this sign is medioricity. I agree the city and its residents should strive to be something above mediocre, and I think we're on our way to getting there.

agree on your last point though

back on topic though. who thinks we can hit double digit delays in substantial completion date promises broken??

http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/4979544-hamilton-s-new-stadium-still-a-work-in-progress/

Construction continues on the pedestrian plaza outside and more work on the elevators is pending.

The latest public estimate for "substantial completion" — the date the city takes over the stadium and the builder, Ontario Sports Solutions, is paid — was Nov. 28. That would be five days after the Ticats host the Canadian Football League eastern final.

Public works head Gerry Davis has said he is "concerned" about the contractor's ability to meet that date, which has been pushed back repeatedly.

On the weekend, Premier Kathleen Wynne said the stadium will be ready when it matters. "You know what, it's going to be ready for (next July's) Pan Am Games and we're very excited about it," she said. "I'm glad to be here to see the Ticats play."

Ouch to Kathleen Wynne's comment. ^^^

After the Cat's last playoff game the news will probably die down though. There isnt much work left to do and the stadium won't be in use until May/June at the earliest.

[drpgq]

One thing about the newly open Upper West stands is the railing between every row. It makes movement somewhat annoying if you're trying to get in or out of the middle of a row. Ironically the old bench seats in Ivor Wynne sometimes made getting to the aisles way easier because you could easily hop up or down a row.

I'm still confused about the claim about there being more washrooms than the old stadium. Maybe there's still not some open yet, but from the games I've attended, the waits seemed worse than Ivor Wynne. The nearest washroom to my seats on Saturday in the Upper West stands had five urinals and probably four toilets. And only one way in or out.

The concourse on the old North side of Ivor Wynne was also way bigger than the one for the West stands. The new one seems pretty cramped by comparison and not a fun place to be at half-time, whereas the old one was so large there was always an area you could retreat to that wasn't packed.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Interesting observations.

[mattgrande]

On the upper deck, in the North Western most part of the stadium, the men's washrooms has 0 urinals, just 8 (or so) stalls. Who thought that was a good idea?

[mishap]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

On the upper deck, in the North Western most part of the stadium, the men's washrooms has 0 urinals, just 8 (or so) stalls. Who thought that was a good idea?

There's a roll-up door between some of the Men & Women washrooms. I'm guessing that these facilities are convertible. Why, I'm not sure.

[king10]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

On the upper deck, in the North Western most part of the stadium, the men's washrooms has 0 urinals, just 8 (or so) stalls. Who thought that was a good idea?

They designed THF with "flex" washrooms. Those actually double as female washrooms for things like concerts. For football games they are male because of the demographics. They simply change the sign. There was a discussion about this on the ticats forum.

My first impression was that there arent as many urinals in the new washrooms and the lines were long. The concourses are indeed smaller but there are more of them and less ppl. The issue on the east side is the upper level stairs empty out right into the concession lines causing a mass of humanity.

The ground level of the east stand is apparently being used for parking. Its a huge space though that can be used as an overflow concourse since the other 2 in the eastsand are already packed. Seems like wasted space to use it for a few parking spots when the two levels above have ppl packed in like sardines. Theres already stairs which lead to this ground level from the above concourse.

[palace1]

Any guesses as to when the "Open House" will happen?

"Hamilton is looking to open up Tim Hortons Field to the public.

The city will be holding an open house for residents to the $145-million facility, tentatively scheduled for October after the contractor ONSS turns the stadium over to the city.

Stoney Creek councillor Brad Clark introduced the motion at the Sept. 10 council meeting, saying the idea is to give people who wouldn’t normally attend a football game or a concert a chance to see the stadium.

...

Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson, who said he has toured the facility about 15 times, said it was a great idea.

He said people would be able to see the stadium’s locker room, which is shaped like a football, exercise area, and the other amenities that were incorporated into the stadium design.

“It would be really neat to see that,” he said."

http://www.hamiltonnews.com/news/hamilton-to-host-open-house-at-tim-hortons-field/

[king10]

My guess is that it will be in the Spring when everything is done and prior to the CFL season.

Then again that article was dated Sept 11. Wouldn't suprise me if they scrap the whole idea since we've seen 7 games at the stadium already.

[ScreamingViking]

They could do it for the next Doors Open Hamilton (May 2-3, 2015).

I'd love to see some of the areas that are off-limits on gameday. The rooms and offices on the lower levels, club areas, private boxes, locker rooms, press box.

[lucasmascotto]

City now expects to take over stadium by April
By: Matthew Van Dongen
(The Hamilton Spectator: Monday, January 12, 2015)

It's no joke: the city is braced for Pan Am stadium construction to continue until April Fool's Day.

The city is still waiting to take possession of the $145-million stadium that was supposed to be finished last July. Infrastructure Ontario most recently estimated the building would handed over by the end of January.

But public works head Gerry Davis now says that date won't be met. "My best guess, looking at what still has to be completed, would be April 1," he said. "It looks like there are still some challenges."

Project manager Infrastructure Ontario wasn't immediately available to provide its own estimate, but Davis said a planned conference call update with the provincial agency was cancelled last Thursday.

Davis said he is asking the agency and beleaguered contractor Ontario Sports Solutions to attend an upcoming Pan Am city committee meeting.

Davis said late last week there are still dozens of "non-compliant items" in the stadium, with more serious examples including ongoing problems with the elevators, heating and electrical systems.

If construction continues until April that would leave two months before Pan Am Games organizers are supposed to take over the stadium to prepare for tens of thousands of soccer fans.

Davis said he'd like city stadium workers to be familiar with the building sooner rather than later, but added April would still give them time to do so.

The contractor initially blamed a harsh winter and a contractor lost to bankruptcy for the delays. The Spectator later learned flaws in the structural design forced repeated additions of new steel reinforcements, a development that spurred the city to commission an independent peer review of the changes.

More to come.

[king10]

Hamilton to host final women’s World Cup tune-up game

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5478094-hamilton-to-host-final-women-s-world-cup-tune-up-game/

[realcity]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

Exactly. The longer it takes to finish, the more the builder is subsidizing the Ticats' already meager contribution to the construction costs. It's a shame the city didn't think to include a clause like that for themselves as well.

Personally, I really don't care how long it takes to get finished, as long as it is completed in time for its role as the CIBC Pan Am Stadium one year from today.


source

Are they still going to build the promenade along Canon? You can see it in the bottom of this pic. It is the only feature in an otherwise featureless stadium. If they cheap out on this, there is nothing noteworthy, just a pair of bleachers.

I think this promenade would be picturesque with all the flags of the Americas and later, provincial or team flags. I hope they do this part on Canon nice.

[realcity]

^ markbarbera I quoted you from almost a year ago... and it is almost scary prophetic.

I hope it is built right and don't care about the April/May/June cancelled events just have it perfect on PanAm opening day.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton’s stadium is “substantially complete”

Hamilton Spectator
By Matthew Van Dongen
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5609721-hamilton-s-stadium-is-substantially-complete-/

Hamilton can finally take over its $145 million stadium next week – and now the race is on to get it event-ready.

An independent certifier for Infrastructure Ontario alerted the city Friday evening that the long-delayed construction project has achieved "substantial completion."

That means the city finally gets the keys – 10 months later than expected – and beleaguered contractor Ontario Sports Solutions gets $89 million of withheld payments.

[SteelTown]

Tim Hortons Field | 40m | ? | Under Construction -> Tim Hortons Field | 40m | ? | Complete

[ScreamingViking]

"There will still be minor work needed on the stadium, but it will not impact Pan Am / Parapan Am Games readiness or the stadium's ability to shine on the international stage," said IO vice-president John McKendrick in an email.

Of course. Which should be done by... by.... ummm....

I walked around the stadium a couple of weeks ago. With all the concrete down and landscaping, it's looking great. And the people living on the surrounding streets must be happy, finally - repaving done, no more dirt, dust and heavy construction activity.

[palace1]

CHCH reported that the minor work still to be done is to take down all of the sponsorship signs - Tim Horton's, Pioneer Gas, Direct Energy etc. - to turn it into CIBC stadium for the PanAm games.
I assume all of the Tiger-Cats signage will also be removed or covered up.

The stadium will be open for a free community barbecue on May 21st from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a $90 / person Gala fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Up to eight tickets can be reserved for the free event by registering at:
http://preview.hamilton.ca/city-initiatives/strategies-actions/building-momentum-registration

[king10]

Theyre going to have to somehow remove/ cover up the tim hortons marquee sign on top of the scorebord.

I hate how the olympics, world cup, pan ams force venues to remove corporate signage. Its such a hassle.