Tim Hortons Field | 40m | ? | Complete

[Gurnett71]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

If you look North of the warm up track you can see a temporary GO Train station. White hut and big green letters, probably saying GO Transit.

What happened to the beautiful railyard to the north of the stadium/velodrome complex? Thought that there were some issues (cost and NIMBY) in trying to relocate the yard to Aldershot.

Wasn't there a proposal out there for that land that would see medium density housing (townhomes) and piazzas being built if the rail yard was moved?

[calvinkool]

Why is the location even up for debate again? I thought the waterfront location had already been chosen. I cannot even fathom how angry I will be if they decide to move it on to the mountain, this is a no brainer...

[SteelTown]

Chamber likes stadium by lake
Business group backs harbour site for Pan Am facility

February 11, 2010
John Kernaghan
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/720015

The voice of city businesses is trumpeting the west harbour as the best site for the Pan Am Games stadium.

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce will flesh out that position next week as city councillors review an analysis of that site and an airport lands location.

Yesterday's recommendation came a day before a consultant's report on the feasibility of both sites was to be made public.

Chamber president Ruth Liebersbach said the west harbour is compelling for many reasons, including the symbolic aspect of building a signature facility to show the face of the city.

"We don't showcase the waterfront enough, and this will attract people locally and across the country."

Liebersbach said the chamber, which represents more than 2,000 businesses, seemed almost unanimous in backing the site near Bay and Barton streets.

The Pan Am stadium will stage track and field for the 2015 Games and also serve as home of the Tiger-Cats if the football club and private sector can come up with $50 million to add 10,000 seats to the 15,000 required for the Games.

Hamilton chamber CEO John Dolbec said his comments to councillors at the February 18 meeting will focus on how stadium development, in concert with other waterfront development, would help animate the lower city year-round and be a "shot in the arm for badly needed downtown revitalization."

Dolbec said the facility would build on parkland and trail initiatives to foster a dynamic waterfront to serve all Hamiltonians. But the chamber notes land contamination, proximity to a rail yard, parking and access to the stadium are challenges that need to be overcome.

The organization's position on the airport lands is that they would be better used for transportation and logistics companies geared to the airport.

[realcity]

I support our "other" waterfront location... the real waterfront. But I'll take this, but be prepared to hear grumblings about parking and accessibility. It won't be from me, im just saying be prepared. Downtown Hamilton is not exactly downtown Toronto.

[coalminecanary]

I think putting it by the lake is a mistake for two big reasons...

1. putting it out by the qew will mean that any and all outsiders will still see hamilton from the skyway view and will continue to not venture into the city. if it is by the bay, more people will come via 403/york which should be the true gateway to the city. if someone wants to go to a major event at the stadium, they are going to go whether it's located by the qew or by the bay.

2. putting it out by the qew wil make it much harder to provide adequate transit links to the stadium, and make it generally more difficult for hamiltonians to attend events.

bayfront location will give us a chance to clean up a small dilapidated area, put on a good face for visitors--show them what our downtown looks like, and will make it accessible to our own residents.

putting it out by the highway means we are pandering to passers-by instead of our own citizens... it would be a lame move.

bayfront all the way....

[realcity]

it's not just by the QEW, it's by our beach strip, waterfront, Confederation park, high level bridge, canal, it could have marinas if a break wall was built. or a pier like Burlington. Hamilton is neglecting it and I don't know why. We're a Great Lake city and our 'waterfront' is slightly bigger then Stratford's. We need to develop the other lakefront too. Im not saying it's because of the highway, im saying it because Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland and most all Great Lake cities are built up along the Lake.

Our "QEW Waterfront" is no different then Toronto's waterfront hemmed in by the same QEW. I resent that it's only identified by the highway. Trying to hide the factories from people doesn't make them go away.

[realcity]

We also will have a pedestrian bridge built over the highway for anyone who wants to ride their bike to a Ticats game.

It's not pandering to passer-bys, although out-of-town money would be good for our economy.

[coalminecanary]

All valid points about the lakefront being underutilized, but the fact is the stadium WILL be a draw to events hosted there, no matter where we place it. In my opinion, we are much better off to put it near downtown so people are drawn there instead of at the very edge of city limits, where no visitors will actually come into the city before or after their event.

A stadium downtown means that spectators can make a day out of the event at any time of year. That's simply not the case at confederation park.

Our lakefront is COMPLETELY different from Toronto's. Our city was built on the bay, not on the lake. Our downtown is close to the Bay, Toronto's is close to the Lake. Hamilton just happens to stretch out far enough to touch the lake as well as the bay. Hamilton itself is on the bay whether you like it or not!

Putting our stadium by the lake would be akin to toronto putting in a stadium on lake ontario -- but putting it at samuel smith park

[coalminecanary]

also - not trying to hide the factories, but trying to put out the idea of encouraging people to travel past them and actually experience our city.

this is something we aren't very good at, and a downtown/bayfront stadium could help with

[oldcoote]

http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/720279

Harbour West recommended for Pan Am Stadium
Consultant says north-Hamiltons ite best

Deloitte Canada has recommended that Hamilton's Pan Am Stadium be built on the West Harbour lands.

The Spectator has learned that the consultant hired to build a business case for turning the Games venue into a stadium appropriate for football has opted for the north-Hamilton site. It would have 24,000-30,000 seats, double the Pan Am plan.

Deloitte recommended the site over another proposal on the south Mountain near the airport.

The West Harbour site is bounded by Queen Stuart, Barton and Tiffany streets.
Need to Know

Size: The stadium can fit into the low-intensity industrial lands south of the rail tracks and north of Barton, although staff raise the possibility that the stadium would need some land south of Barton.

Land use: area is a mix of industry, rail yards and some homes. More study required of noise reduction, sun-shadow analysis, traffic mitigation, urban design.

Legacy: Visibility and location near waterfront and downtown area are assets; could be a case study for brownfield redevelopment.

Clustering: Copps Coliseum is about one kilometre from the site, as are trails and parcels of land for velodrome or other facilities.

Accessibility: Minimal on-site parking and car access due to current road network; but lots of parking downtown, and transit plans include GO trains and rapid transit.

Cost: High upfront capital costs due to land acquisition, remediation and demolition.

- City of Hamilton report

[SteelTown]

HA! Nevermind!

[bigguy1231]

Now lets hope our city council will do the right thing and select the West harbour site as recommended by the report.

[SteelTown]

I haven't heard a single councilor that supports the Airport as a site. Even Merulla who is against the whole Pan Am Games.

[bigguy1231]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

I haven't heard a single councilor that supports the Airport as a site. Even Merulla who is against the whole Pan Am Games.

I think they just wanted to be able to say they looked at alternatives. The West harbour site has been the preferred site all along.

[SteelTown]

Stadium site costs set to double

February 12, 2010
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/720781

TOURISM HAMILTON'S executive director David Adames will make recommendations to city council next week about how to acquire properties on a three-block parcel of land in the west harbour where a Pan Am Games stadium has been proposed. A business report says the costs of acquiring and remediating the land could add $10 million to the projected cost.

Pan Am business plan backs west harbour site

The west harbour is the right site for the Pan Am Games stadium, but it will cost at least $10 million more than forecast, a business plan reveals.

The report by consultant Deloitte focuses on development of the site at Bay and Barton and says land acquisition and soil remediation could double the $10 million approved by council last February, sources told The Spectator.

But the bill could run even higher as some privately held properties have not been tested for soil contamination.

The plan, which is available to city councillors today, also lays out ways the city can cover those added costs.

The jump in price didn't deter the Deloitte report from recommending the west harbour over the airport area as representing the best business case for a stadium.

The terms of reference for the Deloitte plan were canted toward the west harbour site, as it was presented as the preferred location.

The terms of reference also noted $10 million "is likely insufficient" and asked Deloitte to examine sources to cover the increased costs.

City council committed to $60 million early last year as its contribution to a $102-million, 15,000-seat stadium and $11.4-million velodrome.

It is expected the business plan will warn tight timelines to meet the scheduling needs of the Toronto 2015 organizers could be compromised by environmental and planning appeals and hearings.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who anticipates the Deloitte team will endorse the west harbour, believes the provincial government, as lead partner in the Pan Am initiative, would find ways to speed up proceedings.

Pan Am plans call for almost $700 million in sports infrastructure to be built by July 2014, a year in advance of the Games.

The Deloitte team was also asked to gauge private-sector interest in contributing to a $50-million upgrade needed to increase the stadium to 25,000 to become home to the Tiger-Cats.

Deloitte's business plan goes to city council for consideration Feb. 18 with a blueprint on how to proceed.

Hamilton's stadium plans must be endorsed by the Toronto 2015 management team by the end of the year.

In 2011, Pan Am facilities will be designed, then building contracts awarded, with construction in 2012 and 2013 and completion in July 2014.

A $35-million pool at McMaster and $23-million soccer centre for Burlington are also in the Pan Am blueprint.

U.S. Steel (former Stelco)

Size: 2.71 acres

Use: Vacant

Acquisition status: Recommendations will be made to city council on an acquisition process.

B & M Metal Recycling

Size: 5 acres

Use: Processes copper wire, insulated aluminum and lead cable

Acquisition status: President Kathy Belanger is not commenting until the company hears from the city.

Former Rheem Canada

Size: 4.06 acres

Use: Not in use

Acquisition status: The city purchased the former water-heater plant last year.

Eight homes

Use: Residences

Acquisition status: Recommendations will be made to city council on an acquisition process.

[SteelTown]

Ticats willing to donate millions to 'make it work'

February 12, 2010
Ken Peters
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/720762

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats can't make money at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

So Tiger-Cat president Scott Mitchell fully supports the site selection for a new Pan Am stadium.

Word that a business plan recommends the west harbour site finds Mitchell supportive, if hardly surprised.

"I'm not overly surprised. But I think it's great. I think it is important to clearly come to some consensus. We will work hard to make a business case."

And that is the rub for the Tiger- Cats.

While a new stadium is important, there must be other amenities, such as retail and possibly housing, that ensures the site can make money for the franchise and other private investors from which the city hopes to secure a $50-million investment.

Mitchell said the organization is looking forward to working with the city on making a business case for whatever site is selected.

The three levels of government are committed to paying for a $102-million stadium for the Pan Am Games.

The private sector is being tapped to provide $50 million to expand a 15,000-seat facility to the 25,000 seats needed as a private home for the Tabbies.

Mitchell said it is premature to discuss just how much the Tabbies are prepared to pay.

Ticat owner Bob Young said earlier the CFL club will work with any site.

"We will make it work," he said.

Young said his club would donate "in the millions" to the project.

[SteelTown]

Neighbours torn over site
Concerns over traffic, housing values flagged at meeting

February 12, 2010
Danielle Wong
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/720760

Julie Davidson is willing to move out of the way if a Pan Am Games stadium comes to her neighbourhood.

"Although it's going to cost me living in this house, realistically, I think it would help pull the city, the downtown core, to the bay," Davidson, 48, told The Spectator. "We do need this stadium."

She lives with her husband and daughter in one of eight homes in the middle of a three-block west harbour site being suggested as the best location for a stadium.

Davidson said it would be worth moving if it meant the project would create more greenspace and bring people from outside the city into Hamilton.

But her position is an unpopular one in the west harbour, where many residents are against a stadium in their neighbourhood.

"I've lived here 57 years and my husband has been here 77 years. He has no intention of leaving," Catherine De Luca said. "We're going to chain ourselves to the house."

De Luca, who lives on one of the homes on Barton Street West, between Hess Street North and Caroline Street North, believed the airport would be a better location.

Her opposition was shared by many of the 75 people who attended a meeting hosted by Councillor Bob Bratina last night.

He and others acknowledged the majority there objected to the stadium over such issues as traffic and the site selection process.

Shari Selway, president of the North End Neighbourhood Association, said her group is not supporting the stadium until the city demonstrates how it will make the neighbourhood better.

"I think it's a crazy site," said resident Kathy Pipe, expressing concern it was always a foregone conclusion the stadium would be built there. "This site was the site. Why not just say that?"

Supporters weren't afraid to speak up. Denise Hancock, who said she was a "huge proponent, believed that the fact that only 75 turned out indicated the majority of area residents support the stadium.

Tiffany Street resident Mark Marsdin said earlier yesterday that the city's purchase of the Rheem Canada site has created a "dump" where the water heater plant operated. If he has to move, he believes the depreciated market value of his house would make it difficult to buy a new home.

If his house wasn't expropriated, he's worried a stadium would block the sunlight.

Ed Fisher, owner of Fisher's Pier 4 Grub & Pub, told The Spectator he doesn't know whether the west harbour is the right location, but didn't believe it would "make or break a small businesses like myself." He believed a lot of work needs to be done to transform the area.

"I don't know how that's going to be achieved in such a short time."

[SteelTown]

A different tack on site remediation

February 12, 2010
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/720758

Experts say they can't estimate costs of cleaning up the west harbour stadium site without knowing more about the substances there, but a Hamilton consultant says the city might not have to remove all the contaminants.

Luc Piccioni, a planning consultant specializing in brownfield redevelopment, said the stadium site might be treated like the new parking lot at Hamilton General Hospital, built on the site for a former Stelco nail factory.

That approach involves an assessment, in which a risk calculator determines if the risk of exposure to, or off-site migration of, toxic substances is low enough to leave them in place, perhaps subject to continued monitoring.

"I wouldn't venture to say what might be there (on the stadium site), but it would require remediation to commercial-industrial standards (not as strict as residential)," he said.

Piccioni noted the Giants' stadium in New Jersey was built on swampy landfill.

The west harbour site includes a former Stelco plant, the former Rheem hot water heater plant and a scrapyard. Such uses could leave behind heavy metals, solvents, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and other volatile organic compounds, asbestos and any number of other substances. Surface soil would almost certainly have to be replaced and ground water tested to determine the extent of contamination.

Mark Dunn of the Ontario Environment Ministry said the first phase of a site assessment is "where you do a file search and a walk-around, probably the equivalent of kicking the tires a little. That's what Deloitte may have done.

"Phase 2 is where you dig a little, perhaps drill a few test wells and get a handle on the things you might have to address. Phase 3 is where you define the areas needing remediation and remove some of the stuff that needs to go (buildings, stored scrap, etc.)"

He said risk assessment identifies materials that can -- or can't -- be managed on site. Some materials, for example, can be capped and contained safely under a structure. But a stricter standard would apply to a kids' play area.

[SteelTown]

Here's the business plan for the stadium (a busy day, stadium and LRT).....

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...06brevised.pdf

[SteelTown]

Big Pan Am payback expected

February 13, 2010
John Kernaghan
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/721368

A Pan Am Games stadium on a west harbour site would mean a massive economic gust to revitalize Hamilton's economy, a business plan forecasts.

The draft Deloitte analysis says the city's $60-million investment in sports and recreation infrastructure would result in:

* $214 million in direct and indirect spending during construction of a 25,000-seat facility

* 1,750 jobs during construction

* Up to a $9.9-million annual economic impact from stadium operations after the 2015 Games

* Annual tax revenue of up to $1 million from development at the old Ivor Wynne Stadium site.

"There hasn't been this kind of opportunity in this city in 40 years," Mayor Fred Eisenberger said. "The Pan Am Games are a rare chance to leverage that $60 million to up to $200 million in facilities and connect with other transportation and development initiatives."

Eisenberger said the Deloitte findings are as exciting as winning the bid.

But Councillor Sam Merulla, a persistent critic of city spending, says the documents released yesterday don't show any private-sector partners stepping up to contribute the $50 million necessary to increase the stadium size from 15,000 in the Pan Am bid to 25,000 for the Tiger-Cats football club.

"We're now in a situation of having to make the best of a bad fiscal decision," he said.

Merulla said he has always supported the city subsidizing the Tiger-Cats, but wonders where the CFL team is when it comes to financing the larger facility.

The business plan also laid out a 20,000-seat version of the stadium that could possibly be built for the $102 million budgeted in the Pan Am bid. And it outlined a steep jump in land acquisition and soil remediation costs that are $16 million higher than budgeted.

"Anything of this magnitude will have bumps and hurdles, but the question is, can we afford not to take advantage of it?" Eisenberger said.

The jump from $10 million to $26 million for land and cleanup would take the city's costs up to $76 million, but he said some of that increase may be covered by funding from other government programs.

Eisenberger added the city would face some of those remedial costs anyway, as it owns a large property in the block of land northwest of Bay and Barton streets.

"Otherwise that area just sits there and doesn't get developed."

He pointed out people tend to forget the alternative to a new stadium. That's a $93-million tab to rebuild crumbling Ivor Wynne and the $1.5 million it is costing the city annually to keep it safe and operational.

Eisenberger also noted the Ivor Wynne site in east Hamilton could fetch up to $7 million for the city.

The business plan report and a transportation impact assessment prompted city staff to recommend city council approve the west harbour site for the stadium and an $11.4-million velodrome at a meeting next Thursday.

Council was also urged to direct staff to begin consulting with the province and the Pan Am host corporation regarding budget, timelines and implementation plans.

Hamilton would receive more than $80 million from senior levels of government for the Pan Am facilities if the $35-million pool at McMaster University is included.

And Burlington is in line for a $23-million soccer facility.