The Toronto city council on Thursday voted 39-3 to approve a $10M (all figures Canadian) investment in the BMO Field renovation effort, but MLSE President & CEO Tim Leiweke afterwards warned that the Ontario and federal government still "have to come through" with an additional $20M "quickly or the project will die," according to David Shoalts of the GLOBE & MAIL. Leiweke said that construction "has to start by September or the first phase of renovations will not be ready by June 1, 2015 for the Pan American Games." Leiweke said this means MLSE, with the help of city officials, “has about a month to finish this all off." Leiweke: "If we don’t get the other funding this deal falls apart." MLSE under the current agreement will provide $90M of the $120M in renovations, with the other $30M "coming from the three levels of government." Leiweke: "This is a very good deal for all involved. I think the province knows they are big winners here because they get about eight million dollars (annually)" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/4). TSN.ca noted Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was "among those in opposition" to the deal during Thursday's vote (TSN.ca, 4/3).
FOOTBALL FACTOR: In Toronto, Paul Moloney notes the CFL Argonauts are "looking for a new home, and the BMO Field project includes lengthening the field football." Argonauts Exec Chair & CEO Chris Rudge was pleased that the vote was "near-unanimous ... and said the football team expects to be talking at length with MLSE about the plan." Rudge: "It provides a perfect-sized stadium for us, and with covered stands to keep people out of the inclement weather. It’s a masterful piece of public-private partnership, winning all around" (TORONTO STAR, 4/4).
