DoyleG Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 quote:Originally posted by RealGooner Keep grasping Doyle...... WTF is your problem ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Well, here's hoping that all of you in the GTA don't get your collective hearts broken again. I hope it gets done, but, like many, I'll temper my enthusiasm with the biggest dose of skepticism yet due to all the times we've been down this road before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
403 Addick Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S. Should they not be vouching for every potential venue for the 2007 Youth Cup -and perhaps others left out- and ensuring that the federal funds are there in each case to upgrade or even build stadiums that are up to par for that event and future uses? That's a very good question, but of a type rarely asked in Canada! The Canadian government and the CSA can only make one group, in this case the fans in Toronto, happy. Come on, they couldn't possibly do something logical could they?!?! Okay, so maybe Toronto does need a stadium but it's not the only thing that should be focused on or funded... I hope Toronto eventually gets a stadium but I also hope that other issues are addressed. Getting T.O. organized is very important but won't solve all the problems... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 In terms of funding for Edmonton, Commonwealth doesn't need any given the upgrades were done for the 2001 World Athletics Championships. All levels of governemnt paid in the redevelopment. A better way to ask is in the form of a legacy fund. One was set up as a result of the Championships and some of the money was used to build Foote Field. A revamped Clark Park and an improved Track facility at Rollie Miles Park also came as a result. Would be nice if there was funding that would increase the capacity of Clarke Park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zacRWE Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by DoyleG There are no other reports on any other news websites. well, didnt the CSA's website not even have info on Canada v. Spain? It dosent surprise me that there is nothing being reported but The Star is a credible news source, maybe the most credible in Canada.[8D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Soccer official says Toronto's on-again, off-again stadium is back on track TORONTO (CP) - Toronto's on-again, off-again soccer stadium appears back on track. The chief operating officer of the Canadian Soccer Association confirmed Wednesday that the CSA's board of directors has voted unanimously on Downsview Park in the north end of the city as the site for the $60-million stadium. While the shovel's not in the ground yet, it seems to be out of mothballs once again. With the site chosen and government funding again secured, the focus switches to nailing down the private investment needed to close the deal. The CSA's Kevan Pipe said the next few weeks will decide the project. "And we're reasonably optimistic, is probably the best way to put it," he said in an interview. Asked if the stadium project was nearing the final hurdle, Pipe replied: "Well we have to be. It can't go on for ever and a day. But certainly a lot of things that we were projecting back in April and May have come to fruition. We're certainly in the home stretch, that's for sure." But Pipe has been burned before. Previous bids to put the stadium on the grounds of the University of Toronto and then York University failed when both host schools pulled out of the project, concerned at the finances. But this time, the project appears back on track now that wrangling is over on where to put the stadium. City officials reportedly wanted it at Exhibition Place on the lakefront. Money may have won out in the end. The federal government, which owns the Downsview land, is putting $27 million into the stadium project with another $8 million from the Ontario government. Stadium naming rights and private investment will account for the rest of the budget. The 20,000-seat venue is key to the city gaining a Major League Soccer franchise, with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment looking to secure the team. MLS has said Toronto is a serious candidate for expansion. The league is looking to add two teams for the 2007 season. Cleveland, Philadelphia, Houston, Rochester, Seattle, Milwaukee and St. Louis are also interested. The fee for MLS expansion last time around (Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake) was $10 million US apiece. It is expected to cost more next time. "We're very interested in a team . . . but it's all contingent on a really nice soccer facility being built in the right place," said Richard Peddie, president and CEO of MLSE. "There's still lots of work to be done and we hope this positive momentum continues," he added, referring to the choice of site. Asked if he had a geographical preference, Peddie said both were "really good sites." The Toronto stadium was advertised as a cornerstone of Canada's role as host of the 2007 world under-20 championship. The CSA had hoped to kick off the 24-team tournament at the new stadium on July 2007. Pipe says that can still happen with construction slated to take 12 to 14 months. The stadium project is complicated by having to deal with three levels of government and the private sector. A Crown corporation (Parc Downsview Park) is also involved at Downsview. The CSA is also hampered by its lack of funds. "It's not the simplest project by any stretch of the imagination," Pipe said. "But at least now we've taken one of the variables out of the mix and we've moved on Downsview." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by zacRWE well, didnt the CSA's website not even have info on Canada v. Spain? It dosent surprise me that there is nothing being reported but The Star is a credible news source, maybe the most credible in Canada.[8D] Excuse me while a gag on that remark about The Red Star. [xx(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by DoyleG Excuse me while a gag on that remark about The Red Star. [xx(] I didn't know the John Birch Society had a branch in Alberta. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by zacRWE The Star is a credible news source, maybe the most credible in Canada.[8D] HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HA HA Thanks zacRWE, I needed that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Toronto's on-again, off-again soccer stadium appears back on track. The chief operating officer of the Canadian Soccer Association confirmed Wednesday that the CSA's board of directors has voted unanimously on Downsview Park in the north end of the city as the site for the $60-million stadium. So all that has happened is that the CSA board has voted. At least they did something!! quote:With the site chosen and government funding again secured, the focus switches to nailing down the private investment needed to close the deal. The CSA's Kevan Pipe said the next few weeks will decide the project. Um, hasn't it been "nailing down private investment" and "the next few weeks will decide the project" for about 2 years now?? quote:"And we're reasonably optimistic, is probably the best way to put it," he (Pipe) said in an interview. I think that quote says it all. quote:Asked if the stadium project was nearing the final hurdle, Pipe replied: "Well we have to be. It can't go on for ever and a day." Is that near November 31? quote:Stadium naming rights and private investment will account for the rest of the budget. Why couldn't they get this done at any of the other stadiums they announced? What's changed? Why will it be secured this time? quote:"We're very interested in a team . . . but it's all contingent on a really nice soccer facility being built in the right place," said Richard Peddie, president and CEO of MLSE. He forgot to add, "with other peoples money". quote:The stadium project is complicated by having to deal with three levels of government and the private sector. A Crown corporation (Parc Downsview Park) is also involved at Downsview. The CSA is also hampered by its lack of funds. So the CSA couldn't deal with 1 univeristy and the Argos, but they will be able to handle all these different entities. quote:"It's not the simplest project by any stretch of the imagination," Pipe said. "But at least now we've taken one of the variables out of the mix and we've moved on Downsview." Basically all they did was eliminate the CNE from the equation. I really hope I'm wrong but this just seems like an other bs article/press release with absolutely nothing there. Pipe must get paid by the quote or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Elias HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HA HA Thanks zacRWE, I needed that!! Well, at least they're better than the Spec. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loud Mouth Soup Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Spec and Star are the same company-Torstar. Well, if you're referring to the Hamilton Spectator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 It seems to me that while this is far from a done deal, at least there seems to be some positive movement. Better tnan no news or a negative story. Be that as it may, I'm taking the whole thing with a grain of salt. I was pretty convinced that the York/Argos stadium was going to happen, and look at the results. And that seemed a lot more firm than this deal is right now. Glad to see the Leafs are on board which should help. I'm still concerned about where the money will come from. It's not like the CSA has much. Also, they are really going to have to push to get this built by April 2007. I hope it happens, but we'll see... Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Loud Mouth Soup Spec and Star are the same company-Torstar. Well, if you're referring to the Hamilton Spectator. Yup. Torstar owns both. Editorially they can be very different though. That's the nice thing about Torstar as opposed to Canwest who insist that all their papers toe the same line. Torstar allows some freedom without columnists and editors having to worry about being fired. Canwest on the other hand ......... db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Jason It seems to me that while this is far from a done deal, at least there seems to be some positive movement. Better tnan no news or a negative story. Be that as it may, I'm taking the whole thing with a grain of salt. I was pretty convinced that the York/Argos stadium was going to happen, and look at the results. And that seemed a lot more firm than this deal is right now. Glad to see the Leafs are on board which should help. I'm still concerned about where the money will come from. It's not like the CSA has much. Also, they are really going to have to push to get this built by April 2007. I hope it happens, but we'll see... Jason I'm feeling pretty good about it now. A friend of mine who has some knowledge of the situation was quite sure that once the location issue was settled, we would see some rapid progress in the other areas. I was also given the impression that the stadium would still be finished on time as long as it was started by the end of this year. I was also very pleased to see the Leafs prominent in the story. That's a positive sign. If they weren't mentioned, we'd all be wondering what happened to them. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbailey62 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Jason It seems to me that while this is far from a done deal, at least there seems to be some positive movement. Better tnan no news or a negative story. Be that as it may, I'm taking the whole thing with a grain of salt. I was pretty convinced that the York/Argos stadium was going to happen, and look at the results. And that seemed a lot more firm than this deal is right now. Glad to see the Leafs are on board which should help. I'm still concerned about where the money will come from. It's not like the CSA has much. Also, they are really going to have to push to get this built by April 2007. I hope it happens, but we'll see... Jason I'm feeling pretty good about it now. A friend of mine who has some knowledge of the situation was quite sure that once the location issue was settled, we would see some rapid progress in the other areas. I was also given the impression that the stadium would still be finished on time as long as it was started by the end of this year. I was also very pleased to see the Leafs prominent in the story. That's a positive sign. If they weren't mentioned, we'd all be wondering what happened to them. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie Monster Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Elias The only question is why would anybody leak this? And why would the Star put in on the front page? ... But seriously, I would think the Star would have checked the story and made sure it's more than just a fluff piece to put on the front page. Sadly, one of the great myths about most newspapers is that there are "fact checkers"... or that any attempts to verify the copy submitted by reporters are made. As a former reporter I can tell you this is absolutely not true, not even at the major dailies. "Checking the facts" usually goes something like this: Reporter: Hey boss, I got a great story about the new stadium! Editor: Looks good. You sure about these details? Reporter: Yep! Editor: That's good enough for me! We'll run this on the front page! The only time they'll really delve into a reporter's "facts" is when there's a chance of a lawsuit against the paper or the people quoted by the reporter. This precaution usually surfaces during big court cases or stories about shady dealings by big corporations, but rarely anytime else. Even then, media lawyers are only going to request wording changes to cover their asses from a libel suit. The "facts" remain unresearched. My guess is that whatever information the reporter has heard has been taken out of context and dressed up to sound like something exciting is happening. After reading both stories now, it's clear that the only thing that has happened here is that the CSA has narrowed their hopes down to one site instead of two. Pipe says it clear as day - no deal has been reached with the feds. It's posible they may have an agreement in principle, but the full terms of the land transfer have not been identified or negotiated. Second - even with the $32 million coming from the Ontario and federal governments... ... and the $10 million for naming rights.... ... they STILL do not have all the money necessary to cover the shortfall. Tick... tick.... tick... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie Monster Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Elias The only question is why would anybody leak this? And why would the Star put in on the front page? ... But seriously, I would think the Star would have checked the story and made sure it's more than just a fluff piece to put on the front page. Sadly, one of the great myths about most newspapers is that there are "fact checkers"... or that any attempts to verify the copy submitted by reporters are made. As a former reporter I can tell you this is absolutely not true, not even at the major dailies. "Checking the facts" usually goes something like this: Reporter: Hey boss, I got a great story about the new stadium! Editor: Looks good. You sure about these details? Reporter: Yep! Editor: That's good enough for me! We'll run this on the front page! The only time they'll really delve into a reporter's "facts" is when there's a chance of a lawsuit against the paper or the people quoted by the reporter. This precaution usually surfaces during big court cases or stories about shady dealings by big corporations, but rarely anytime else. Even then, media lawyers are only going to request wording changes to cover their asses from a libel suit. The "facts" remain unresearched. My guess is that whatever information the reporter has heard has been taken out of context and dressed up to sound like something exciting is happening. After reading both stories now, it's clear that the only thing that has happened here is that the CSA has narrowed their hopes down to one site instead of two. Pipe says it clear as day - no deal has been reached with the feds. It's posible they may have an agreement in principle, but the full terms of the land transfer have not been identified or negotiated. Second - even with the $32 million coming from the Ontario and federal governments... ... and the $10 million for naming rights.... ... they STILL do not have all the money necessary to cover the shortfall. Tick... tick.... tick... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Johnnie Monster Sadly, one of the great myths about most newspapers is that there are "fact checkers"... or that any attempts to verify the copy submitted by reporters are made. [:0] Seriously?! Although that would explain a lot. Does anyone on the left coast know if Kerfoot has been approached by the CSA (or anybody) about funding a Toronto stadium (the "private" investment part) and even a Toronto MLS team? I'm being absolutely serious here. There's a couple US owners who own multiple teams, so why not Kerfoot (if it was to happen in Vancouver). It would make financial sense for him to own both Toronto and Vancouver as opposed to just Vancouver (he could lose double the money []). While local owners are usually better, not really necessary if done right (I think Kerfoot knows a thing or two about growing a company). For some wild wacky reason, as a soccer fan, I would feel more a little more comfortable if Kerfoot owned the team, as opposed to Maple Leaf Sport & Entertainment Incorporated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie Monster Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Can't say I've heard that, but it would make sense. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the idiots at the CSA have totally ignored looking at this option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachesl Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 From the press report comments at the time of the purchase of the Whitecaps in late 2001, and following his rare comments since (or those attributed to him from folks like Lenarduzzi), it seems to me that Kerfoot's motivation was primarily that of assisting soccer in the Vancouver area, as well as indirectly helping Canadian soccer thereby. Of course, he isn't interested in throwing vast sums away, so there is a business apsect to all this. However, it seems to me that it involved more than financial investment, and involved a community spirit thing tempered with something that he could easily help manage (as an eminence gris of course). I don't think his motivation was ever to expand into the "soccer industry" writ large per se. His apparent coolness to getting involved in the MLS also supports this notion I sense, though I could be wrong (in otherwords, the business organization of joint league ownership of the teams doesn't jive with his sense of local autonomy. apart from whether buying a Vancouver "share" in the MLS may or may not be a good investment). For some reason, I think that Kerfoot is not interested in getting deeply involved in the Toronto soccer scene. I certainly wouldn't want to debate a local like Johnnie who can more readily see what's going on down there, but it is just a feeling about how I sense Kerfoot operates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I would love to see Kerfoot come up with that ~ $10m shortfall and steal the Toronto MLS team from MLSE. Now that would be funny. MLSE has really bothered me in this whole Toronto stadium mess. They seem to want to be the primary tenants, but they are thus far unwilling to pay any of the money, and that really pisses me off. I mean they make lots of money it isn't like they are poor. Maybe the CSA should look outside our borders for that money. Ajax and Real Madrid have been rumored to want to put teams in Florida. Club America have also been rumored to buy the earthquakes and put them in San Antonio. I think a Serie A team would make a good partial owner in Toronto, and would add alot of interest in the team. Back to kerfoot. I have said before, but not here, that he should also put a MLS franchises in either Seattle or Portland when he puts one in Vancouver to keep that regional rivalry. That said, i can't really ask any more from him. He has done great things for football in my town, and I am grateful. If he builds the much rumored stadium and brings in MLS team i'll be even more grateful though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 quote:Originally posted by beachesl From the press report comments at the time of the purchase of the Whitecaps...[snip] blah blah blah ...involved in the Toronto soccer scene. Yeah, I agree completely. That is the sense one gets from over here, far away, in the outskirts of the centre of the universe. I was just having a little fantasy about the man. Plus Kerfoot seems to really like his privacy, which wouldn't be as easy if he was involved in Toronto. Which I don't understand cause what's the point of being rich if you are not going to show off and use it to get power and push people around. [}] Out of curiosity, any of you left coast sleuths know what the man is worth? I just looked through Canadian Business magazine's list of top 100 (insomnia is good) and he's not listed (even they probably have never heard of him). 100th is at $336-Million so even if he has $300-million or something, he really can't risk $50-million on an MLS team. (Honestly, only $300-Million, forget MLS, he can barely afford the 5th mansion.) quote:Originally posted by piltdownman I would love to see Kerfoot come up with that ~ $10m shortfall and steal the Toronto MLS team from MLSE. Now that would be funny. MLSE has really bothered me in this whole Toronto stadium mess. They seem to want to be the primary tenants, but they are thus far unwilling to pay any of the money, and that really pisses me off. I mean they make lots of money it isn't like they are poor. Difference is Kerfoot as a private individual, only has himself to answer to. He can aim to break even, or even take the loss and write it off against other investments. MLSE's majority owners, the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Fund, expects 30% annual returns on it's investments, according to quotes attributed to them in business articles. It makes absolutely zero sense for MLSE to invest in the stadium, since they won't own it, and it would basically be a donation. And the team itself would probably be a break-even investment (i.e. what they can sell it for in 10 years minus the annual loses and the initial investment). The numbers as an investment really don't make sense. That's why I have a hard time believing MLSE is really interested, or won't bail early if the going gets tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie Monster Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 The numbers are hard to pin down, but if I recall correctly, Kerfoot sold Crystal Decisions for approx $888 million US. He has also had stakes in other hi-tech ventures that have made him a capital "B" billionaire. Wouldn't be surprised if that money was channeled through American-registered business entities for tax purposes... so for all intents and purposes, Kerfoot won't ususally appear on any "Canadian" lists. A few notes about the good life: At one point he had four huge homes in ritzy West Vancouver, each valued between $1.5 - $2.5 million. He's also got a summer estate in Kelowna. He's also got a winter mansion in Whistler (including a regulation size hockey rink). *********************** Here's a quick tally of what Kerfoot has invested - or is about to invest - in the Whitecaps and local sports over the last few years. 1. The purchase of the Whitecaps men's & women's USL franchises (about $350,000), plus a yearly operating budget of $1 million per year (Lenarduzzi's estimate, not mine). 2. The construction of a $4 million Whitecaps training centre at Simon Fraser University. 3. The planned construction of a second training centre in Surrey BC (site is TBD) 4. Contributed an estimated $10 million to the new athletic stadium at SFU. 5. Established a fully-staffed Whitecaps men's PCSL reserve squad 6. Established a fully-staffed Super Y-League youth development program with teams ranging from U-11 up to U-18. 7. Has already paid in excess of +$23 million for a new stadium site (confirmed through real estate records). 8. Will likely spend at least another $20 million on stadium construction. So when all is said and done, Kerfoot will have invested around $60 million in Vancouver's soccer scene over the past three years (the bulk of that being the new downtown stadium). And you wonder why us west-coasters are pissed off about Toronto's $32 million tax hand out, huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 ARRRRGGGGHHHHH! I hate this! Just saw the following Toronto Sun article, which basically dashes my hopes for a stadium and (more importantly long term for Canadian soccer) an MLS team. Why oh why does the CSA have to be run by bumbling incompetent boobs? -------------- THE CANADIAN Soccer Association's plan to build a 20,000-seat stadium at Downsview Park is not even close to becoming reality. In the wake of a report confirming the CSA had chosen Downsview as its site yesterday, City of Toronto politicians blasted the association for backing out of a idea to build at Exhibition Place and the CSA confirmed it still needs some funding to help foot the $55-$60 million bill. Toronto Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone said the city was interested in spending "in the (mid-to-high) single-digit millions" to help erect a facility at Exhibition Place, not anywhere else. The CSA sent out a letter last month indicating Exhibition Place was the desired location. "I'm scratching my head at this," Pantalone, who cited environmental and transportation concerns, said. "This is not the best place to ensure we have the proper customer base (for the facility)." City councillor Maria Augimeri, who is responsible for the area where Downsview Park is located, is furious with the federal government for not consulting the city on the matter. The feds are slated to put up $27 million and the provincial government is expected to contribute $8 million, with the rest coming from private investors. However, the CSA has not sent its final proposal for funding to the federal or provincial governments. Augimeri said previous events at Downsview Park have led to plenty of illegal parking in her Ward 9, blocking in residents and not allowing emergency services to access the area properly. "This is going to wreak havoc on our community," she said. "It is absurd that they would do this without consultation. They're going to need to connect with our sewers (to run the facility). This puts me in a position where I'd say to our mayor, 'Let's not let them flush their toilets.' How else are we supposed to deal with this arrogance?" CSA chief operating officer Kevan Pipe said he remains hopeful Toronto will help financially. He also admitted not all funding is secure for the facility, which needs to start being built by March 1, 2006 at the latest to ensure it is ready for the world youth soccer championships in July 2007. "We've got a little ways to go," said Pipe, who has not revealed potential private investors. "We are marching toward that ($55-$60 million) mark." Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., which wants to place a Major League Soccer pro team in the CSA-operated venue, could be a small financial contributor to the stadium. "(The CSA) will probably need some help," MLSE president/CEO Richard Peddie said. "I don't want to show our hand. It won't be (the bulk of the) $25 million (that MLSE commits), but we can help in many ways." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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