Caretaker's Update- Feb 10/10

Hamilton Tiger-Cats
21

ron, keep in mind that the city's stadium interest and the Ti-Cats' stadium interests are not identical.

I see the city wanting to use the stadioum as PART of a downtown, waterfront plan linked to an incentive for decreasing car usage ala increased use of public transit as future plans are leaning towards all across the GTA and GHA.

I can see the Ti-Cats wanting to maximize revenues using such things as parking.

So, naturally they have to work things out as best they can.

Bottom line is, it's the city's stadium, not the the Ti-Cats'.

If the Ti-Cats were building their own private stadium, then I'm sure their interests would be priority and the city's would be secondary.

I just see this as a normal course of business.

22

yes, probably things going as "well since we can't get much money from parking revenues for a west harbourfront site, then we need to pay less rent" these sorts of negotiations I gather.

23

X2

24

Yeah, makes sesne to me…or maybe even a cut of the parking revenue form downtown lots on gamedays, or some such normal business negotiations.

25

IMO, the Ti-Cats' interests should be a top priority.

If the Ticats don't invest millions so that it seats 25-30,000,
the city owning the stadium means diddly squat because

that only obliges them to pay for it's operating expenses.

The Ticats won't be a tenant in a 15,000 seat stadium
and they won't stay in Hamilton at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Without the Tiger Cats involvement as it's primary tenant
the city would likely be unable to bring in enough revenue

to cover those operating expenses let alone make a profit.

26

Stadium vote ahead but questions linger

Andrew Dreschel

The Hamilton Spectator Feb 17, 2010

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/723196
...the private sector still hasn't come to the table with anything but woolly promises of financial support.

Let’s be blunt.

What we’re really looking for…is a firm financial commitment

from the Tiger-Cats, who will be the main tenant.

That was a significant issue a year ago and
it remains so now for the same reason.


Why start harping on this now? …relax!

This information will be forthcoming shortly.

Bob Young posted a video on ticats.ca

saying you will have answers in about three weeks.

As Paul Masson used to say

…‘No wine before it’s time’ …errrr…or is it

No whine before it’s time, Mr Dreschell?

The good thing is…It’s not about, if the Ticats
will be investing money, it’s about how much.

...in the absence of a solid commitment from the Ticats, much of this is starting to sound uncomfortably like a big fat pie in the sky.

The truth is, until Young gets the ball rolling
and shows some community leadership,

Merulla’s warnings should be echoing in all our ears.

Andrew Dreschel’s commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

adreschel@thespec.com 905-526-3495

Trust me, this is being worked on behind the scenes, Mr. Drescell.

Public announcements will soon be out from everyone…the Ticats included.

In the meantime, maybe you could write about other private investors
not even making any commitment at all on investing in the stadium.

27

That’s just his style.

It sells papers and gets people talking about it.

28

And the argument is hardly new

29

An while it may be percieved as a bit alarmist, it is worth discussing, no?