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CP Reporting York U. Out Of Stadium Project


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York U. pulls out of stadium project

Canadian Press

5/12/2005 12:31:43 PM

TORONTO (CP) - York University has pulled out of a planned stadium project, citing the Toronto Argos' recent decision to withdraw.

''The university was very committed to this project and was working hard to bring it to reality,'' the university said in a statement Thursday. ''However, the circumstances around that decision have changed.

''The stadium was approved on the basis of an arrangement which included important financial contributions and guarantees. The unexpected decision by the Argos so close to the construction deadline effectively set the project back six months and has made it impossible for us to proceed in the given timeframe.''

The Argos were to have contributed $20 million and any cost overruns to the $70-million, 25,000-seat stadium. But they balked at the last minute, opting to accept a sweeter deal to stay at the Rogers Centre, formerly SkyDome.

The federal government committed $27 million and the provincial government another $8 million to the York project. The university was to donate the land and $15 million.

The government money came because the Canadian Soccer Association had made the Toronto stadium the cornerstone of a bid for the 2007 world youth championship.

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner said last week the tournament will go ahead in Canada whether or not there is a new stadium in Toronto.

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Any chance FIFA will allow the Toronto games to be held at the Skydome ... err Rogers Centre ... assuming Rogers is willing? This would likely mean Toronto would only host 1st round matches, leaving other cities available for the later rounds and giving Edmonton the final.

This whole thing is in shambles!

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The article has been updated with some additional info:

York pulls plug on stadium plan

Thursday, May 12, 2005 Updated at 12:47 PM EDT

Canadian Press

Toronto — York University has pulled out of a planned stadium project, citing a lack of time and the Toronto Argos' recent decision to withdraw.

The news is a body blow to the Canadian Soccer Association, which had insisted the stadium would be built.

But FIFA, the sport's world governing body, has said the 2007 World Youth Championship will go ahead in Canada as scheduled whether the Toronto stadium was built or not.

The York stadium, along with Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, were to be the major homes for the tournament.

"The university was very committed to this project and was working hard to bring it to reality," the university said in a statement Thursday. "However, the circumstances around that decision have changed.

"The stadium was approved on the basis of an arrangement which included important financial contributions and guarantees. The unexpected decision by the Argos so close to the construction deadline effectively set the project back six months and has made it impossible for us to proceed in the given timeframe."

The Argos were to have contributed $20 million and any cost overruns to the $70-million, 25,000-seat stadium. But they balked at the last minute, opting to accept a sweeter deal to stay at the Rogers Centre, formerly SkyDome.

The federal government committed $27 million and the provincial government another $8 million to the York project. The university was to donate the land and $15 million.

The government money came because the Canadian Soccer Association had made the Toronto stadium the cornerstone of a bid for the 2007 world youth championship.

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner said last week the under-20 tournament will go ahead in Canada no matter what happened with the Toronto stadium.

The 24-team tournament had been slated to take place in Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver and Victoria.

In its statement, York said it had faced an immediate commitment of $5 million for major site preparations to meet the 2007 project completion deadline.

The university said it would have been required to assume all of the risks and operating costs for a 20,000-seat stadium "with significantly reduced usage by outside parties."

""We have been working intensively to make this project happen, but, frankly, we are out of time. Our priority must always be the best interests of the York University community," university vice-president Gary Brewer said in a statement.

"We cannot, in good conscience, spend university money without knowing exact costs and funding arrangements for the project, and without the certainty that we will be able to meet the required timeline. The clock ran out on us."

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quote:Originally posted by Daniel

I think it might be even more embarrassing if Montreal builds an entire complex for $15m and Toronto builds nothing with $35m.

I cant agree more.. If no stadium is built it won't be because of no money. Somebody must be held accountable.

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quote:Originally posted by ray

Any chance FIFA will allow the Toronto games to be held at the Skydome ... err Rogers Centre ... assuming Rogers is willing? This would likely mean Toronto would only host 1st round matches, leaving other cities available for the later rounds and giving Edmonton the final.

This whole thing is in shambles!

FIFA ruled the skydome out years ago for international soccer events,

so unless they change their minds ,highly unlikely, Toronto won't host any games, and the Tournament is in danger of leaving Canada.

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quote:Originally posted by FC Beast

FIFA ruled the skydome out years ago for international soccer events,

so unless they change their minds ,highly unlikely, Toronto won't host any games, and the Tournament is in danger of leaving Canada.

Toronto will host games, it just won't be in a new stadium. Apart from playing the games at Rogers Centre, is it viable to upgrade Lamport Stadium? I mean, new grass and a general facelift(new seats, etc.)would only cost a couple of million. Any comments from Torontonians?

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quote:Originally posted by Alberto7

Toronto will host games, it just won't be in a new stadium. Apart from playing the games at Rogers Centre, is it viable to upgrade Lamport Stadium? I mean, new grass and a general facelift(new seats, etc.)would only cost a couple of million. Any comments from Torontonians?

How many does Lamport hold 2,000-3,000 tops?

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quote:FIFA ruled the skydome out years ago for international soccer events,

so unless they change their minds ,highly unlikely, Toronto won't host any games, and the Tournament is in danger of leaving Canada.

Actually you're incorrect. FIFA has NEVER made any statements like this. If anyone had ever made any statements regarding the Skydome as a unsuitable soccer venue, it was on the premise of astroturf's unsuitability as a playing surface.

As for the tourney being in danger of leaving Canada, Jack Warner has stated that won't be the case, so I'll hold him to his word.

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quote:How many does Lamport hold 2,000-3,000 tops?

Lamport holds 9,000. 4,500 per each side. The stadium as it is - does not meet any FIFA standards. To make the stadium FIFA approved the pitch would have to be slightly widened - meaning one of the stands would have to come down and be rebuilt. The surface would also have to be replaced, and a whole host of other upgrades - media room, lockers, etc, etc.

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quote:Originally posted by canso

But Kevan Pipe said it wouldn't leave!

I quote:

"The tournament is staying in Canada. No ifs, ands or...whatever."

Who can I beleive? The Beast or Kevan Pipe? hmmmm...

Pipe was told to say that, and he probably also wnated to say that to try to keep the project alive. The problem is that he and the CSA have lost credibility. I won't believe Pipe and Andy Sharpe next time.

Fool me once and its your fault. Fool me twice and its my fault. Not next time Andy and Kevan.

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quote:Originally posted by François

Maybe Joey Saputo could take the 35 million and make sure TO gets a stadium...

They're is a big lack of leadership from day one in this project.

If we're to believe the York university VP, there just isn't time to start the whole thing again from scratch.

Similar statements have been made by representatives from the other host cities. Two years is not enough time to build a new stadium. That's why they're building temporary facilities.

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And by building temporary facilities, soccer in Canada will be no better off after the WYC than it was before. What a wasted opportunity. If soccer is going to thrive then it will need more people like the Saputos, without committed owners soccer will continue to languish in the doldrums it currently sees itself in, even after hosting the WYC

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quote:Originally posted by Jarrek

They should build the stadium in Mississauga! :)

Mississauga has just announced that they are building a Light Rapid Transit Line down Hurontario Ave ... Would be great if we could have a stadium downtown :)

good nuff for the pope and the stones ... DOWNSVIEW ...

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quote:Originally posted by Chet

If we're to believe the York university VP, there just isn't time to start the whole thing again from scratch.

Similar statements have been made by representatives from the other host cities. Two years is not enough time to build a new stadium. That's why they're building temporary facilities.

Meanwhile, Saputo Stadium has a prospective opening date of late August 2006. We'll see.

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Anyway, WYC will go on, most likey without a presence from Greater Toronto, the biggest wealthiest and most diverse market (5.7 million, 6.7 for the entire Golden horsehoe). FIFA marketing and sponsorship plans were probably counting on a huge outpouring of interest from the large ethnic populations in the area, and not having a presence in this market is a blow to that plan. FIFA wont be pleased with Canada at all. I hope the rest of Canada puts on a REALLY good show to make up for this black mark.

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