Toronto Stadium still on?

[RealGooner]

According to the CSA, a SSS is still being built for WYC 2007. MLS may still come to Toronto.

Canadian Soccer Association

Friday, April 22, 2005

CSA Issues Statement on York University Stadium Project

The Canadian Soccer Association today issued the following statement following reports of the Toronto Argonauts possibly withdrawing from the York University Stadium Project.

“The CSA was surprised to read reports concerning the possibility of the Toronto Argonauts potentially withdrawing from the York Stadium project,” said CSA Chief Operating Officer Kevan Pipe.

“We were most disappointed to learn of these possible developments but like our partners at York University we remain committed and on track to building the stadium and hosting the FIFA Under-20 World Youth Championship.

“We have received some superb bids from potential hosting cities and we look forward to reviewing those bids and announcing the winning four cities who will join Edmonton and Toronto in hosting the second biggest soccer tournament in the World in the summer of 2007.”

THE STADIUM AT YORK UNIVERSITY – A STATEMENT

Source: www.yorku.ca

April 22, 2005

York University was surprised to read today that the Argos owners may be considering an offer to play rent-free at the Rogers Centre. The Stadium at York University has been planned as the premier venue for soccer in Canada and host-site of the FIFA World Youth Championship Canada 2007. We have been working diligently and professionally for the past several months with Soccer Canada and the Argos and this project was proceeding on budget and on time. York remains committed to providing a first-class venue for its 50,000 students and the youth of the local community.

York’s President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna Marsden stated “We remain deeply committed to our students, the local community and to making the FIFA tournament happen here at York. At this point we are reviewing our options and will be discussing the matter with our Board of Governors”.

The University would like to correct an unsubstantiated report that costs for the stadium had climbed from $70 to $75 million. The project partners working with their expert consultants have developed a range of options that are well within the established budget and timelines for the stadium.

Dr. Marsden added: “York University is committed to doing the utmost to bring the benefits of a superb new athletic facility to this part of the GTA and to hosting the FIFA 2007 under-20 world soccer championship, with the support of our partners.”

The construction of a new stadium at York University, located in the heart of the GTA, would bring an estimated economic impact of around $105 million. When staging and spending in the region resulting from the hosting of this international event are included, overall economic impact projections are estimated to be in the region of $168 million.

[Richard]

I always smile when I read these inflated economic impact claims. The nice thing about them is that they are such impressive, precise numbers (168 million, not 165 million?) and nobody can ever prove the originating economists wrong.

Anyway, encouraging to see the optimism and confidence from York and the CSA.

[analyst]

Quote]Originally posted by Richard

I always smile when I read these inflated economic impact claims. The nice thing about them is that they are such impressive, precise numbers (168 million, not 165 million?) and nobody can ever prove the originating economists wrong.

[DJT]

Check the big thread in the MNT section. All this news is already posted there.