Am I dreaming? (New Varsity Stadium, Toronto)

[Gian-Luca]

or is the proposed national team stadium for Toronto finally happening?

Argos to move into new digs at Varsity

Feds, province, U of T agree on deal worth $80 million

28,500-seat venue also to be home for soccer association

RICK WESTHEAD AND RICK MATSUMOTO

STAFF REPORTERS

The Argonauts will move into an $80 million outdoor sports complex where Varsity Stadium once stood in time for the 2006 season, after winning $34 million in government contributions.

Plans for the 28,500-seat stadium will be revealed today at a press conference at Varsity Arena, sources said.

The new stadium, which has been regarded as a key to the future of the money-losing Canadian Football League franchise, will be owned by the University of Toronto, with the Argos and the Canadian Soccer Association as primary tenants.

"This is a great deal for the city, for the team and consequently for the league," said a source. "They need a strong franchise in Toronto."

The University of Toronto has agreed to contribute $45 million, $30 million of which will backstop the stadium's mortgage. The federal Liberals will contribute $27 million, while the provincial government will kick in $8 million. The stadium will also feature a small shopping area and slight renovations to Varsity Arena.

The Argos have agreed to pay about $2 million annually to service the stadium's $30 million mortgage.

Drawing on the television background of Argos president Keith Pelley, the stadium will be wired with state-of-the-art cable for high-definition broadcasts.

A key to the deal was a desire by the two levels of government to bid for two key events in 2007, the 24-country FIFA World Youth Championship — a larger event than the women's World Cup — and the FIFA Congress, where soccer's governing body will weigh whether to reappoint chief Sepp Blatter, should he stand for re-election.

It's expected the stadium will host eight to 10 international soccer matches a year, including World Cup qualifiers.

Since buying the Argos, team owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski have pledged they would build a new stadium to help the team escape the cavernous SkyDome, where the club has struggled to lure fans for the last decade.

Ticket revenue is crucial in the CFL and typically accounts for about two-thirds of a team's income, a league source said.

The rebuilding of Varsity Stadium was first announced in mid-January as a joint project between the U of T and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

The plan called for the university to provide land close to Bloor St., where the original Varsity Stadium stood until it was razed in 2002. MLSE was scheduled to finance the project before donating the stadium back to the U of T after 35 years.

The complex, which was scheduled to boast a price tag of as much as $120 million, was to include a 30,000-seat stadium and renovated Varsity Arena with two ice rinks — one to be used as the Maple Leafs' practice facility — along with retail stores fronting on Bloor St.

However, in mid-March, MLSE abruptly pulled out of the project, claiming it was not financially viable.

With the Leafs out of the picture, the U of T scaled down the project to $80 million, eliminating the second ice rink and cutting the number of seats.

MLSE's withdrawal also eliminated the prospect for the federal government to give a handout to the wealthiest sports organization in the country. The federal Liberal party's GTA caucus earlier this week recommended that the government provide the U of T with a grant.

Caucus members, including chairperson Art Eggleton, convinced their fellow members to support the project by stressing that its focus would be on providing a facility for amateur sports, mainly a venue for the Canadian Soccer Association, higher-end university athletic and community use, as well as being a home for the Argos.

Argos general manager Adam Rita welcomed the news.

"If this is true, then I'm excited," he said. "I don't care where it's built. We just need a stadium of that size."

Rita said the team needs a venue where both its football and front-office operations are located.

At present, the team occupies two portables and practises at the U of T's Erindale College campus in Mississauga and plays its home games at the SkyDome.

Rita also said that being the prime tenant in the new stadium would help the team's scheduling of its home games.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

I'm praying this stadium doesn't have a track

[sstackho]

If it's at a university, you'd think a track would virtually be guaranteed. Aren't there tracks at all university stadiums?

Any word on grass or FieldTurf?

[Gian-Luca]

I'm bracing for the worst and assuming fieldturf, but I guess we will hear more at the press conference later today. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic for a change, because it would be highly ironic if they were to take out the grass field that is there now (all that remains of the old Varsity) and replace it with Field Turf. The grass is there, all they need to do is build the stadium around it.

But I guess we'll see.

[Gian-Luca]

By the way, the Lynx are noticeable by the absence of their name as one of the tenants. No mention of an MLS team, but that's not surprising at this stage since a Toronto MLS franchise doesn't currently exist, whereas the Lynx do (not that most people in Toronto know about that).

The FIFA U20 hosting angle for 2007 might be another reason to hope that it is grass, but then again maybe it won't (look at Finland's hosting of the U17 tourney last year on field turf).

[JayWay]

What a fantastic location, if true. Imagine that. In the era of the uber-metropolitan cookie-cutter sports structure/downtown status symbol, Toronto actually instigates a return to the classic neighbourhood stadia.

And not 10 minutes from my doorstep! :-D

[Free kick]

regarding the highlighted portion of this article I was puzzled by the same thing when I read it this morning. Just where are they going to find that many international games to play on any given year? and also I really didn't understand the bit about:

" ...Cup — and the FIFA Congress, where soccer's governing body will weigh whether to reappoint chief Sepp Blatter, should he stand for re-election."

What does that have to with the topic at hand. Are these congresses by FIFA held in outdoor stadiums in front of 28K fans? Are they that big of an event? and why is it a big deal to host these congresses?

[SeanKeay]

I dont care whats in the stadium.. WE HAVE ONE!! YAY

[Gian-Luca]

Yeah, I'm curious about the congress mention myself. It actually would make more sense to hold something like that at the Convention Centre or even a roofed SkyDome.

As for finding the number of internationals to play in a given year, 8 to 10 will not be a problem when you add the women's teams into the equation (along with different age groups for each gender). We've been begging for more friendlies in Canada, including B team friendlies, so I think the CSA should be planning to have at least that many national team events for all ages & genders in Toronto in a given year, plus in the other major cities across Canada as well.

Now if it's not grass then the number might become a bit more ambitious. But it's a lot more difficult to get funding if you say you are only going to play in Toronto once every four years.

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by SeanKeay

I dont care whats in the stadium.. WE HAVE ONE!! YAY

very true... Another thing that I like is that it is the perfect size in my opinion for these kind of events. 20K might have been to small and perceived as a facility for small time events. Over 30K, and now your building another "Stadium" which might leave some to wonder what the point of having skydome is. Bt 28.5K is just right

[Winnipeg Fury]

Congrats to Toronto ! It looks like only a Conservative victory in the federal election could stop this one (and that's not going to happen).

Now all we need is a stadium in Vancouver and a Canadian League.

[JayWay]

Back to the Duke! We're going back to the Duke! Back to the Duuuuuuuu-uuke, we're going back to the Duke!

(Sorry, this one is for the Toronto Ultras - I apologize for any confusion )

[ray]

Hmmm. Could the CSA influence the choice of grass over FieldTurf if they were to put some of that CIBC money toward the cost of the stadium? I would argue that getting grass for lucrative friendlies and possibly MLS in Canada would constitute a good use of "development" money for our national teams.

[Mimglow]

quote:Originally posted by sstackho

If it's at a university, you'd think a track would virtually be guaranteed. Aren't there tracks at all university stadiums?

Any word on grass or FieldTurf?

On Rogers Sportsnet this morning they were reporting a Natural Grass Field.

[WildboutCdnScr]

I'm also pleased for Toronto, although like many I'll likely be really happy when they finally put a shovel in the ground.

I'm hopeful that they opt for grass. Not only will that make the Argos happy, but it truly is the best surface for our national teams and also opens the facility up to rugby events (sorry Markham).

[Luis_Rancagua]

Wow!!!! I still can not believe this news. I am still trying to put myself together as to whether all this is a dream.

[Metro]

quote:Originally posted by sstackho

If it's at a university, you'd think a track would virtually be guaranteed. Aren't there tracks at all university stadiums?

Any word on grass or FieldTurf?

I agree, and the stadium will be owned by U of T with the Argos and CSA (etc.) as tenants. Even with the track, it should still be OK, as I highly doubt it will be Olympic-sized (400 metres w/ 8-9 lanes).

[ray]

We must get the FIFA 2007 U20 Championship or it might all come apart.

Canadian Soccer Association

Friday, May 21, 2004

A New Varsity Sports Centre: A community facility in the heart of Toronto

Toronto, May 21, 2004 – The federal government today announced a partnership with Toronto community, athletic and sports leaders to rebuild the historic Varsity Stadium site on Bloor Street just west of Avenue Road/University Avenue, resulting in a new community facility in the heart of Canada’s largest city.

The new Varsity Stadium will be a major component in the bid of the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) for Canada to host the 2007 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Youth Championship. It will also serve as a new permanent home and focal point for Canadian soccer. Community and University sports enthusiasts will enjoy this 25,000-seat venue, which will also be the new home field of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts beginning in 2006.

“The Government is very excited about competing to host the FIFA under-20s”, said Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Joe Volpe. A new Varsity Stadium will provide a critical boost to the bid of the CSA to win the right for Canada to host the 2007 FIFA Men’s Under 20 World Youth Championship. The tournament, which would be played in six cities across the country, would generate approximately $30 million in economic benefits, with as much as $15 million dollars in benefits coming directly to Toronto.

“This facility will give Toronto a much-needed, 25,000-seat venue of the type and quality needed to host international athletic events,” said Kevan Pipe, Chief Operating Officer of the CSA.

“This will truly be a resource for the whole community,” said federal Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Joe Volpe. “People from every community in every part of our diverse city will welcome the chance to enjoy watching great players – including family and friends – play the world’s favorite game in the heart of Toronto.” The Minister pledged that a Community Access Advisory Committee will be established with representatives from the Toronto Parks and Recreation department, city school boards, the Sports Alliance of Ontario and the Canadian Sports Centre – Toronto. The Stadium will be easily accessible by TTC subway and will complete the revitalization of Bloor Street West from Avenue Road to Spadina.

“The new Varsity Stadium will be a key addition to the University of Toronto’s track and field and athletics programs. Its rebuilding signals a return to the glory days when national championship games were played at Varsity Stadium” said Dr. Jon Dellandrea, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer for the University of Toronto.

The project is a unique strategic partnership of the federal and provincial governments; the University of Toronto and its donors; and community, amateur and professional sports. The University will finance $30 million, and $15 million will be raised by the University from philanthropy. The federal and provincial governments have pledged a combined $35 million towards the total $80 million cost of the project. This government support is contingent on the CSA winning the right to host the 2007 FIFA Under-20 championship, which will be awarded in October 2004. The Toronto Argonauts Football Club will pay the annual $2.1 million cost of debt servicing on the U of T’s financing for the new facility, and will operate the new Stadium and use the field for Argo home games. Varsity Stadium will remain the property of the U of T.

The former Varsity Stadium, built in 1924, was demolished in 2002 for safety reasons.

[MikeD]

1) The government funding is contingent on us being awarded to 2007 WYC. No U-20s, no stadium.

2) It's going to be a track and field facility, which means there'll be a track. Oh well, it's still a heck of a lot better than nothing.

3) You can't have the "field" part of track and field on FieldTurf, so it looks like it'll be grass.

4) The Argos are going to be paying $2.1 million a year to run the stadium, which means Argo games will take precedence over soccer. If the Toronto Lynx want to play out of this stadium, it looks like they'll have to make a deal with the Argos. I hope the Argos don't decide to keep their "competition" out of their new park.

[Moosehead]

"It will also serve as a new permanent home and focal point for Canadian soccer".

should it be the permanent home when the national teams have relocated to Vancouver, when it makes sense for them to be there as they can train all year round. How does this impact a potential Kerfoot spearheaded stadium?

So, it has a track, hopefully they can design it so the stands can be moved over the track.

How can it be contingent on the U20 World Cup?

[trueviking]

vote Liberal!

[Moosehead]

I was thinking the CSA should get in writing that it will remain a grass pitch stadium, however, I don't know what a javelin, discuss or shotput would do to Fieldturf and whether the javelin would stick in. So, by having a track I would say has protected us from having the facility remain a natural grass pitch. I would think though the CSA should negotiate having a say in any future changes to the pitch.

I would also like to see them design the stadium so the stands can go over the track. New Wembley in London, Uk will have a track but the stands can be moved over the track. This design feature maybe too expensive for this stadium.

[Joe05]

The stadium will have FIELDTURF. A reporter at the TV station I work at was there and told me the news.

[sstackho]

quote:Originally posted by ray

The University will finance $30 million, and $15 million will be raised by the University from philanthropy. The federal and provincial governments have pledged a combined $35 million towards the total $80 million cost of the project. This government support is contingent on the CSA winning the right to host the 2007 FIFA Under-20 championship, which will be awarded in October 2004.

Wow. That's a big 'If' that wasn't mentioned in the Star article.

[Moosehead]

quote:Originally posted by Joe05

The stadium will have FIELDTURF. A reporter at the TV station I work at was there and told me the news.

So its no use for Rugby, dodgy that it will be beneficial for soccer. Who exactly is a good for then the u of t and the argos. using amateur sports as pawns to build a stadium for a private for profit corporation. [|)]