Renovations to BMO Field are set to debut this weekend, and "with a capacity crowd on hand, it will be impossible to ignore the positive impact MLSE’s investment has had on Toronto FC and the city," according to Kurtis Larson of the TORONTO SUN. Reaching this point "was arduous to say the least." Former MLSE President & CEO Tim Leiweke called it "financial suicide." In retrospect, though, MLSE "couldn’t have afforded to not embark on a three-year journey that culminated with TFC’s early-season competency -- all of which had, in many ways, to do with expanding BMO Field." TFC MF Michael Bradley, F Jozy Altidore and F Sebastian Giovinco would not be there "without stadium upgrades." The estimated increase in revenue "was needed to justify spending a truckload of cash to lure the trio to Toronto." Whether it works "remains to be seen." This weekend is the "culmination of a process that began with a culture shift within the organization." MLSE Chief Project Development Officer Bob Hunter said, “It’s a whole new stadium. We paid [C]$62 million back in 2007. With the Argonauts, we’re reinvesting almost [C]$150 million.” He added, "Everyone was motivated. The City of Toronto was motivated because they want to see the big events." Larson notes concerns "won’t be put to bed until after there’s proof the Argonauts won’t negatively impact TFC’s all-grass field" (TORONTO SUN, 5/5).
CULTURE CHANGE: Larson notes TFC's players "will walk into the past on Saturday when they unveil newly renovated BMO Field to fans who have anticipated this home opener since the end of last season." Ten seasons after TFC "stormed into MLS with never-before-seen support, the club’s top brass hope Saturday will signal something of a rebirth for a club hoping to rediscover the excitement that peaked closer to its inaugural season." People outside Toronto "didn’t watch TFC for the soccer, they watched for the capacity crowd and boisterous support." To this day, MLS Commissioner Don Garber mentions TFC as the club "that changed the culture within the league" (TORONTO SUN, 5/6).
