CFL Cameraman Winnipeg Blue Bomber at Hamilton Tiger-Cats

When Will the Ticats Be Awarded the 2016 Grey Cup?

I've written a while ago about the Ticats probably hosting the 2016 Grey Cup. Amusingly that post gets a lot of views. Tim Horton's Field will be completely ready one assumes and Winnipeg will have hosted the 2015 Grey Cup in their new stadium.

I looked and apparently the announcement that the Bombers were going to be hosting the 2015 event was made this year around March 26th. So likely at the end of March next year, we'll hopefully get confirmation and the team and city can start planning.

One issue is how many seats the Ticats can add in the end zones for the Grey Cup to get above 24,000 seats. The Ticats do have a lot of box seating, which I'm assuming would be priced expensively for the Grey Cup.

The last time the Cats hosted was 1996, which while a great game, wasn't exactly a great financial success (the previous Grey Cup before that was in 1972). I think it is fair to say that Hamilton is doing better than in 1996 (with way more downtown hotel space) and with Bob Young and his Ticat organization leading the preparations, a 2016 Grey Cup would stand a much better chance of success.

Ottawa is obviously an option, but I see them more likely to host the 2017 Grey Cup. Likely their team would be better by then and have a better chance to be in the Cup.

Upper West Stands Won't Be Ready for the October 17th Game Against Ottawa

Forgot to mention that the Ticats have told season ticket holders that the Upper West stands won't be ready for the next game against the REDBLACKS. The last game of the season is November 8th against Montreal, so there has to be a good chance they will ready for that game. Although considering the history, one might bet against it.

If the Cats hold a playoff game, there's one more chance as well. If the Cats don't host a playoff game, there's a chance the stadium won't be finished for a home game at all in 2014.

Will Tim Horton's Field Be Ready for the October 17th Game Against Ottawa

I was by the stadium today and snapped this show of the West stands. The upper stands still aren't done, however they could be by the next home game against the REDBLACKS. There were around ten workers I saw around 4:10, which is interesting considering it is a Sunday.

Personally I would bet against them being open, as that's been the way to bet this year on the stadium.
 

Will the Upper West Stands Be Ready for the October 4th Game Against the Lions? No.

I had been thinking about whether the Upper West stands (where my season tickets are) would be ready for the next home game against BC on October 4th. I was guessing no, as that seems to be the smart way to bet when it comes to the stadium. Sure enough I checked my email today and yesterday I received an email from the Ticats saying it wouldn't be ready (or at least not guaranteed) plus an offer for two more free tickets. So huzzah for free tickets and boo for not having the stadium done.

Will the stadium be complete for the end of the regular season? For a home playoff game? Who knows. I know which way I'm betting.

Fate of Ticats Labour Day Classic Won't Be Known Until August 28th

The Spec has a new article about the stadium with comments from city public works general manager Gerry Davis that the fate of hosting the Labour Day game won't be known until August 28th.

With Mac not able to host, that is definitely problematic for the Ticats. The uncertainty is also in itself a problem as the team isn't able to market itself properly. No doubt not having three home games plus the exhibition game at Tim Horton's Field has impacted merchandise sales severely. The Labour Day game likely has merchandise sales far surpassing any other regular season game.

What's more disturbing is what Ancaster councillor Lloyd Fergusion thinks: "Councillor Lloyd Ferguson told the CBC he thinks it's a "stretch" for the facility to be ready in time for the game."

Ferguson has considerable experience in the construction industry and pointed out well beforehand that the stadium wouldn't be ready when everyone connected to the stadium was saying that the stadium would be done.

Here's one possibility for the stadium to be partially ready for Labour Day: concentrate only on one side of the stadium for the Labour Day game and only have it open. Hopefully that would be the side where I have season tickets.

Latest Pictures of Tim Horton's Field

Snapped a few more pictures of Ivor Wynne's replacement. There's no way it will be anywhere near completion for June 30th. For the first home game in late July, it could be possible to have the regular stands done, but no washrooms or in stadium concessions. Bad rain over the next month could certainly cause problems. 

Tim Horton's Field Progress

A couple of shots I took yesterday. Certainly won't be ready by the end of June. Not sure where we will be by the first Ticat home game at the end of July. I'm guessing the boxes won't be done.

April Tim Horton's Field Progress?

Not much word lately on how Tim Horton's Field is progressing. At least there is more seasonable weather now, but with the first scheduled game on July 27th a little over three months away, that's not a lot of time. In theory the stadium is supposed to be ready for July 1st, but that seems quite laughable now.

I'll swing by tomorrow to take some more pictures. I think the real question at this point is whether the stadium will be ready for the Labour Day annual against the Argos. I would give even odds on that bet.

Tim Horton's Field to Be Delayed Six Weeks

Confirmation on what a lot of people have been suspecting. Ontarios Sports Solutions which is apparently the consortium building Tim Horton's Field has sent a letter to city council stating the stadium opening could be delayed six weeks from the planned June 30th ready date.

Adding six weeks of prime summer weather certainly would help progress, although the Cats are scheduled to host Ottawa in their home opener on July 26th with another game just five days later on a Thursday night (ugh Thursday night games, who are we Toronto?). Hamilton's third home game isn't until August 16th.

So two games will probably be impacted. One thing to keep in mind is that the new stadium has a lot of fancy areas that could be potentially finished and opened later and thus perhaps an earlier opening would be possible with just the main core seating.

Of course the six week delay could also be wildly optimistic and more fuckups could still occur. Likely at least some games will be hosted in the stadium unlike Winnipeg a couple of years ago. And get ready for more Mac lotteries.

Tim Horton's Field Progress Pictures, Not Looking Good

Here's two photos I took yesterday of Tim Horton's Field (I had gone to donairs@gage for the first time, pretty good but not as good as Germany). Progress isn't looking particularly good. Considering that the Ottawa stadium already has some seats installed and from what I can see the Ticats has none, things are looking a bit grim for the opener which is basically four months away. 

Obviously it has been a bad winter by recent historical standards. However the silence from both the Ticats and quiescent local media is interesting. Certainly a lot could be accomplished in the last four months, however even the rest of March is looking colder than average with a possible storm tonight.

I'm less surprised the Ticats are staying quiet, but what is sadder is the lack of reporting from Hamilton media. So as a lowly blogger, don't be surprised if the stadium is severely late.

Interesting Take on Why Bob Bratina Isn't Running Again for Hamilton Mayor

Tim Horton's Field Conspiracy Theory over at the Surly Hamilton blog:

http://surlyhamiltonian.blogspot.de/2014/03/conspiracy-theory-is-bob-bratina-not.html

Ottawa's TD Place Construction Progress Versus Tim Horton's Field

I saw that the @TD_Place, the twitter account for the Ottawa Red Blacks has some pictures of seats being installed. What's happening seat wise in Hamilton? Actually I have no idea. Maybe I'll swing by today and have a look.

Boom! Ticats Want $1 Million Per Game If Stadium Delayed

Tigercatatonia has been posting and wondering about what the current construction state the new Tim Horton's Field with all the bad winter weather. It was announced in January that the stadium was two weeks behind and it has been nothing but unseasonably cold weather since the announcement and early March is looking unseasonably cold as well.

Now we have a bit more information about what happens if the stadium is delayed past the first scheduled CFL game in July. From a Spec article:

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be looking to recover at least $1 million for every home game they miss if the new Pan Am stadium is not completed on time.

Infrastructure Ontario says Ontario Sports Solutions — the consortium building the $145-million stadium — is on the hook for the costs if the team can't play its first scheduled home game at Tim Hortons Field on July 26. 

 At least the city isn't on the hook for that, but the province. With a potential million dollar penalty per game that at least gives an incentive to the province to get the work done faster, although in theory they could pay only nine million if the stadium isn't ready for the regular season, which in the grand scheme of cost overruns isn't that much.

Where would the Cats play if they can't play at Tim Horton's? Mac? Quite small and couldn't get a fraction of the season ticket holders. Guelph again? Maybe. Are the temp stands even still up? Expect after winter is finally done to find out a better estimate of how delayed the stadium is.

2014 CFL Schedule To Be Released Next Week

Apparently according to the @CliffD Twitter feed, the commissioner of the CFL Mark Cohon announced in Ottawa that the schedule would be out next week.

I'm a bit skeptical of that, just because I think there must be a lot of uncertainty when the Ticats' Tim Horton's Field will be ready for football, especially with another wack of crappy weather in the Hammer today (I couldn't get my car out of the parking lot after yoga class today). We'll see next week I guess.

Uh Oh, Tim Horton's Field Behind Schedule

In a previous post about the 2014 CFL schedule I was wondering about the construction schedule for the new Ticats stadium and the effect of winter. Unsurprisingly it has been announced that the stadium is behind schedule because of weather and a contractor going bankrupt according to this Spec article.

As I mentioned in the schedule post, both Ottawa and Hamilton have stadiums that might not be ready and will want to be on the road for the first month (July) of the season. This is going to cause scheduling problems. Expect a late schedule this year.

When Does the 2014 CFL Schedule Get Released?

Last year the 2013 CFL schedule was released historically late on March 5th. The previous year was February 18th. There's no question of an Atlantic game this year (at least I don't think there is after the damp squib that was the 2013 Moncton game, although I had fun attending, if you define fun as I do as drinking copious amounts of alcohol)).

Things to look for this year? Wackiness from having nine teams which will unbalance the schedule. Look for more mid-week games this year because of that. Ideally you would stick Saskatchewan with some of those because they will sell out anyways, especially after coming off a Cup win. Also look for both Ottawa and Hamilton to be on the road early because their new stadiums won't be ready. One team needing away games early is annoying enough, but two will be really annoying for the schedule maker.

For Labour Day, I'm assuming Toronto will be back in Hamilton (haven't checked the Jays schedule, but they are probably home that weekend anyways). It would be nice for Ottawa to host Montreal annually on the weekend (maybe as the Friday game) and would probably boost their attendance. Sorry BC!

Getting back to Hamilton stadium, the winter weather has been crappier this year than in previous years, so how that affects the stadium completion date will be interesting. I'd don't always agree with Ancaster councilor Lloyd Ferguson's Ancaster first policies (bike lanes for Wilson street, bupkis for downtown), but I'm inclined to listen to his construction experience if he cares to opine on the matter again. No July dates would be poor, no August dates would be disastrous. I don't feel like trekking to Guelph again and missing out on my Prince Edward Tavern time.

Tim Horton's Field, October 27th 2013, East Stands

Here's a photo I took on Sunday of the in progress East stands of Tom Horton's stadium. 

Tim Horton's Field, October 27 2013, West Stands

Here's a photo I took today of the West Side stands at Tim Horton's Field. Looks like good progress is being made, but will it be ready for the first exhibition game?

Shot of Tim Horton's Field, September 2nd, 2013

Here's a shot I took of the skeleton of the East side stands of the new Tim Horton's Field. Progress is coming along. The West stands are farther behind, but being ready for June next shouldn't be too difficult.