Re: You know, I'm starting to think Toronto really isn't a good idea. From what I read, UT backed out on the deal because... umm, no one's sure why. Maybe the residents didn't like the idea of all of that traffic. It wasn't money as the Argonauts were to assume any risk of cost overruns. I think it had to do with a change in the administration at UT. The Argos didn't need much prodding to get out of the deal, it was never their first choice to play at New Varsity Stadium. A lot of their fans complain that the lack of parking at the 'Dome doesn't allow them to tailgate. That deficiency would hardly be addressed by a stadium in the middle of downtown. They wanted to build on the north side of town, which I've heard is closer to their fanbase. Longterm, I can't envision a stadium built first for CFL, second for CIS football and possibly soccer, and with artificial turf being the home of Canadian soccer. Also, bear in mind that CFL clubs average 27,000 for nine home games and MLS teams average 15,000 for fifteen home games. It's hard to compare. As an example, the Cosmos averaged 48,000 fans in 1978. That would be like Giants getting 90,000 per game. On the other hand, Canada is the second largest country on Earth with a population less than that of California. They only have four 50,000-seat stadiums in the entire country.
Re: You know, I'm starting to think Toronto really isn't a good idea. Winning the U20 had nothing to do with the CSA. You can thank Jack Warner for that. Kevin "Crack" Pipe wouldn't know how to win anything even if he tried.
Re: You know, I'm starting to think Toronto really isn't a good idea. The CSA had to submit the bid in the first place, Doyle. Originally it was going to be the Women's World Cup before SARS scuttled the 2003 edition in China and China got it for 2007 instead:- http://www.canoe.ca/Slam020831/soc_edm1-sun.html Before that the CSA had Sepp Blatter in Canada meeting the federal government to discuss a possible men's World Cup bid which would have been based on modified CFL stadia which subsequently was scaled down to the women's version:- http://www.fifa.com/common/printerfriendly.html?articleid=32948
Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! Great great great news! http://www.city.vaughan.on.ca/newscentre/2005/news05-60.cfm Looks like it's Vaughan! Why would the CSA be there otherwise? This is looking very very very good. Let's just make sure everything runs smoothly from here on out and get this thing built. The sooner shovels are in the dirt, the sooner we can announce Toronto as an expansion city.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! Which OBVIOUSLY means that MLS isn't coming there They aint building a 20,000 seat stadium for a one-time event and the Lynx, Doyle. Seems like the writing is on the wall.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! Wow! DoyleG's correct. There isn't one mention of Major League Soccer in the entire press release. I'm pretty sure that the fact that MLS isn't specifically mentioned categorically indicates that the league would have no interest in having an expansion franchise set up shop in a brand-new, 20,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium... located in the midst of a soccer-specific campus/complex... located in a Metropolitan Area of 5,203,686 people. I'm equally sure that the fact that MLS isn't specifically mentioned categorically indicates that the Ontario Soccer Association and Ontario Soccer Centre aren't interested in having a Major League Soccer franchise sign on as the anchor tenant for the stadium. On the other hand, the fact that MLS isn't specifically mentioned is undoubtedly an indication that this new soccer-specific stadium will be the "crown jewel" amongst the stadia playing host to teams in a new all-Canadian professional soccer league. Right, Doyle?
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! HEY, YOU! Stop spewing out logic and common sense! Gonna have to give you some neg rep for that one
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! The Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan is approximately sixteen miles from downtown Toronto.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! The Downsview location would've been nicer since it's near the York location and also has direct public transportation access, but oh well. This will do, and be awesome. So.... $33 million in federal and provincial government contribution $45 million in private sector contribution $78 million total for the stadium. Not too shabby at all Real Salt Lake's stadium is supposed to be $60 million and Bridgeview is costing $70 million. If done right, this is gonna be a badass facility.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! And Bridgewater is how far from Chicago? And Frisco is how far from Dallas? And Cal-State Dominguez is how far from LA/Pasadena? The thingy in Colorado is how far away from Denver? "16 miles and whatta get....another SSS and no deeper in debt....Saint Phil just called me, I gotta go....he just sold Metros to somebody poor*" ** poorer than Phil, that is
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! 13.7 miles 27.3 miles 16.2 miles (Carson to LA) No se'. *according to Yahoo!Map, from city center to city center so mileage may vary
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! Downtown Dallas to Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Center = 27.7 miles... Downtown Los Angeles to Home Depot Center = 16.6 miles... Downtown Toronto to Ontario Soccer Centre = 16.3 miles Downtown Chicago to Bridgeview Stadium = 14.9 miles... Downtown Denver to Downtown Commerce City (details of exact stadium siting within Prairie Gateway complex are forthcoming) = 6.9 miles... In other words, as far as the siting of soccer-specific stadia for MLS-member franchises goes, the Ontario Soccer Centre's distance from Downtown Toronto sits smack-dab in the middle of the current list of facilities that are either on-line, under construction or about to break ground. Still, as long as the stadium in Vaughan doesn't directly benefit soccer in Edmonton, DoyleG isn't really interested in whether it is a successfully run facility or not.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! So, not terribly far away. I've heard that there is really nothing at all to do after games in Carson, CA. I'm hoping that they don't go down the same path in Vaughan. Get some restaurants, pubs, and stores built up around the area. Give people stuff to do while they're in Vaughan.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! Approximately 7 or 8 miles from downtown Denver. But it's actually going to be within slingshot distance of the Denver city limits which are right across 56th Avenue. But heck, we're talking MLS expansion. Cities move up and down the list so often you need a stock ticker to keep track of them. And then when you think you've got it figured out, a Salt Lake City comes out of nowhere. But still, this is probably good news for Toronto.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! PAETEC Park is a few blocks from downtown Rochester....about 7 miles via expressway to the Port of Rochester...where one will be able to board the "CAT" ....the Toronto Fast ferr.... for a MLS soccer match with Toronto. http://www.nfl-bay.com/english/fast/index.html It will be great if Toronto, Montreal and Rochester enter the MLS over the next couple years. I can't think of three better franchises to have for MLS.
Re: Toronto BACK IN THE MIX! FYI the Chicago number is probably State/Madison (or Grant Park) to 71st and Harlem. As-the-crow-flies the distance is 11 or 12 miles not that it makes much difference, but the population center of the city isn't State/Madison (or Grant Park for that matter) Additionally, the BV stadium is up to approx. 100 million dollars.