MLSE President & CEO Tim Leiweke said that he has "big plans" for Air Canada Centre and BMO Field, as the organization prepares for upgrades to both venues, according to David Shoalts of the GLOBE & MAIL. MLSE "plans to spend as much as" $40M (all figures C) sprucing up the ACC leading up to the '16 NBA All-Star Game and to raise capacity at BMO Field as part of a larger renovation project. Leiweke said the ACC can become "one of the most important arenas in the world in the next three or four years," and BMO Field "is going to have a greater impact on massive events coming to [Toronto] than any other infrastructure project today." Shoalts noted Leiweke "also has his eye on the NHL all-star game and the entry draft" for the '16-17 season "in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of both the Maple Leafs and the NHL, capped by a Winter Classic outdoor game in the same season for BMO Field." Leiweke is already talking to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "about the ACC playing host to the World Cup of Hockey" whenever the NHL and NHLPA revive the tournament. Meanwhile, BMO Field will also "see its capacity raised to 30,000" for Toronto FC, "with the ability to go to 40,000 for selected events." Planned events for the stadium include int'l soccer games "involving the world’s top teams, major events for sports such as rugby and women’s soccer and perhaps a Grey Cup if a spat between MLSE and the federal government" over $10M in funding from the taxpayers "can be resolved." MLSE had pledged $100M for the BMO renovations if all three governments -- city, provincial and federal -- "contribute a total" of $30M to the project, but "without the feds the deal has been scaled back" to $100M (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/10).
