Andrew W Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I was just trolling around on 13thman.com (CFL fan site) when I noticed this little item. Wonder if anyone in the GTA could confirm its validity and if anyone might attend? Don't know if it is public. York to hold stadium information session In response a request from some senators, the University will hold an information session about the new stadium planned for York. The session will be held on Wednesday, March 9, from 3-5pm in the Senate Chamber, N940 Ross Bldg., Keele campus. BTW, did anyone post anything about this economic impact study Impact study of 07 WYC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Andrew W In response a request from some senators, the University will hold an information session about the new stadium planned for York. The session will be held on Wednesday, March 9, from 3-5pm in the Senate Chamber, N940 Ross Bldg., Keele campus. Oh no!! Seems like we've seen this picture before haven't we? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 Any news from this event? I haven't seen or heard anything anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusanBhoy Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 I seem to recall, even from this far off vantage point, that, when the plan was for varsity, there were drawings, scketches, and plans comming out the wazoo. Aside from that Monopoly hotel-esque computer model looking thing on the CSA site I've seen nothing. Cause for concern? How long will it take to build? Granted, that tennis stadium seemed to go up quickly, but, then again, that looks a no-frils pile of sh*te. Isn't the reletive silence (compared to the former plan) comming off a bit dodgy? If anyone knows/seen anything, do tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusanBhoy Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 forgive me I just wanted to bump this back into the light. Has anyone yet heard anything NEW? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massive Attack Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I haven't been able to find anything in the major media in T.O. about the stadium, but the York student paper did have a follow up article on that meeting. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Admin grilled at stadium forum Written by Michael Sitayeb - Staff Writer Wednesday, 16 March 2005 York University administration presented the benefits of their Argo stadium plan at a University-wide consultation meeting on Wednesday, responding to concerns from community members critical of the project Administration officials defended the need for a new stadium as not only a product of internal pressure for new athletic facilities, but also as a precursor for a subway extension to York. The 2001 Rapid Transit Study commissioned by the TTC suggested an expansion of the Spadina subway line to York University. Under the plan, the Steeles West station was to be located on the current outdoor athletic facility near the Ice Gardens building. York president Lorna Marsden claims York was faced with the decision to move the facility or lose it. Administrators suggest that the Argos partnership made the move viable. "If we were working on our own to move this stadium south, we would have paid $15 million to relocate to a similar field with no revenue potential," says York vice-president of finance and administration Gary Brewer. "With the Argos, we spend $15 million and get more extensive facilities, revenue potential to pay for maintenance and construction and a project of great value to the York community." However, some students are concerned about how or from where this money will be generated and what will happen if the development goes over budget. "We still haven't heard any downsides to this yet. Where is this $15 million coming from?" asks student senator Matthew Hayes. Brewer defended the project. "The money is not going to be diverted from the academic budget," said Brewer, explaining that it is an advantage to have the stadium because it will be self-sustaining and revenue generating. If the stadium goes over budget, president Marsden verified that the Argos would pay the difference. "Anything over $70 million goes to the Argos - York has no liability," said Marsden. Of the $70 million total cost, York is paying $15 million, the Argos will chip in $20 million, $27 million will come from the federal government and $8 million from the province. Marsden also pointed out that it is not out of place for York to expand its sports and recreational facilities since universities across the country are doing the same. On a comparison chart presented by Bud Purves, president of the York University Development Corporation, York ranked second last to the Ontario College of Arts and Design with regards to the institution's athletic and physical centres. "At UofT, they're building their own stadium and the university will have to carry those costs while we don't have to," said Marsden. She further elaborated that York will get off easier than some other universities. "At the University of Alberta, the university is putting it on the student levy and at Carlton, the university is borrowing money to build a $20 million stadium where they are going to charge for rental use," she claimed. Marsden also mentioned that the World Youth FIFA tournament awarded to Canada for 2007 was done so on the basis of having a new stadium built - a pre-existing one would not suffice. The plan is for the new stadium to be located near the Tait Mackenzie gym. It will provide kinesiology students with 20,000 additional square feet of space, five more dressing rooms, 5,000 square feet of extra storage space and a doping research facility. The extra space is expected to improve the kinesiology space to student ratio. Kinesiology students would also have the opportunity to use the field 24 hours a day because it features artificial turfs and a roof bubble. Currently the department can only schedule games a maximum of 20 hours a week. Ian Macdonald Boulevard will have to be relocated to fit the footprint of the stadium and several other facilities for athletes in the vicinity. The facility is expected to sit along Steeles Avenue and a subway station plaza would also be integrated when the link is built in the future. Yet despite the apparent advantages, critics wanted to hear more about the downsides of the project. "There are apparently a lot of great reasons to build the stadium, but I'm wondering how this will impact our operating budget and why we are dedicating so much money to sports facilities when the student to faculty ratio is even lower than sports space per student," said Hayes. Other questions that were raised were what will happen to the stadium if the Argos leave, will the team have to pay rent and how the stadium would benefit parts of the community who have no interest in the stadium. "If the Argos leave, it would still be financially viable since there will be revenue generated from the soccer events," said Brewer, further adding that the Argos will not be paying rent since they will bring in "$21 million in revenue" from sources like ticket sales, parking and food. While the financial concerns rang hard among students and staff in the meeting, the administration classifies the project as a revenue generating facility, much like a residence. Over 50 sports events are projected each year for the facility, not including other special community events. No timeline was provided as to when the stadium is expected to recoup its construction costs from events. Administration officials also had their hands full with concerns over cramped parking and congestion in the areas surrounding the campus during game times, concerns Brewer felt were being blown out of proportion. "We're building this stadium to accommodate the needs of the York community. We will be using it 75 per cent of the time," says Brewer. "It's small, it isn't luxurious, and it looks like what a university stadium should look like. The key is to design it for our needs and to figure out how to operate it during nine or 10 times a year where it will be stressed for the Argos games." - With files from Amy Chung http://www.excal.on.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=452&Itemid=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
An Observer Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I found this interesting.... "At the University of Alberta, the university is putting it on the student levy and at Carlton, the university is borrowing money to build a $20 million stadium where they are going to charge for rental use," she claimed. Any chance that these facilities could be used for USL sides....hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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