Quote:
Originally Posted by Joborule
It's a little bit amusing seeing the first responses in the thread about the lack of a new arena and a new stadium.
The arena is different issue that's getting sorted out with CSEC. City still needs to have negotiating power if they want CSEC to invest as much as they possibly can to building a new arena. There's plenty of time between now, and 2026 to strike a deal, have shovels in the ground, and open the new hockey arena. The bid doesn't explicitly state a new large arena, but it assumes to be part of it indirectly.
As for the stadium, this is the CFL, not the NFL. CSEC is already asking the government to fork over a crapton of money to a new arena. There's no way that they're gonna get a crapton for a brand new stadium also. The best that can be done is renovations to the current stadium, and honestly, that's sufficient. The foundation of the stadium is fine, but the aesthetics and features is what needs work. The proposed renovations is ideal for a CFL stadium. Opening up and upgrading the concourse, patio sections, and a new suite level essentially checks all the boxes of what CSEC should want to improve the football experience.
Including the ceremonies at McMahon gives the city and CSEC an ability to kill two birds with one stone here. They'll be able to gather funding from higher level governments to fund the renovations to McMahon since it's an Olympic venue; and this likely was the only way there would be any money going towards that, or any football stadium for that matter.
After the games are done, a new hockey arena, and a renovated football stadium would be part of the legacy. Although with or without the olympics, the hockey arena would get done.
|
One could make the case that this Olympic bid actually
weakens the city's position with CSEC in negotiating a new building. Because if this bid goes through (with everyone assuming a new arena will eventually be part of it), CSEC will have the city by the balls, because NOT getting an arena would be a disaster for this bid and for the city.