Toronto BMO Field Renovations | ?m | ?s | MLSE | Gensler

[rdaner]

I wonder if they have ever thought about a bubble over the field in winter to provide a useable space? Added revenue?

 

[W. K. Lis]

I wonder if they have ever thought about a bubble over the field in winter to provide a useable space? Added revenue?

BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada has a heating system to keep the grass in good condition. The heating system helps the grass grow in the spring and fall, and prevents the ground from freezing.

How does the heating system work?​

​

• Uses four boilers to supply heat
• Monitors soil conditions with sensors
• Modulates boiler firing rates to provide the right amount of warm water

 

[ChesterCopperpot]

I wonder if they have ever thought about a bubble over the field in winter to provide a useable space? Added revenue?

In the early days when they had turf - the field was able to be rented by the community and in the winter they did have a bubble.
The bubble got relocated to Lamport when they went to the grass field. The turf went to Lakeshore Collegiate.

 

[guavadelic]

i can\'t help but feel very disappointed in this whole thing. When i first found out World Cup was coming here i thought it was going to be expensive but we'd get some amazing infrastructure out of it that will last. Things like a closed in subway line, and some better public transit. So far we're getting a bunch of temporary stuff, a permanent rooftop patio, the corners are still not closed in, and we are getting more than likely some temporary shuttle buses. So, lots of money and no improved infrastructure that comes with it.

we're still getting the improved transit and new subway line (Ontario Line), it just won't be completed in time for the World Cup. Exhibition station right next to BMO will be one of the busiest and most connected transit hubs in the city.

 

[Tyrang]

i can't help but feel very disappointed in this whole thing. When i first found out World Cup was coming here i thought it was going to be expensive but we'd get some amazing infrastructure out of it that will last. Things like a closed in subway line, and some better public transit. So far we're getting a bunch of temporary stuff, a permanent rooftop patio, the corners are still not closed in, and we are getting more than likely some temporary shuttle buses. So, lots of money and no improved infrastructure that comes with it.

They kinda messed up the timeline... I am still a bit hopeful even though I complain about this a bit, if anything, the combination of Ontario Place, Ontario Line, and the yet to come Phase 0 Bentway will probably force some updates in Exhibition Place along with the foot traffic.

 

[interchange42]

I don't know if there'll be anything you don't already know here, but front page story...

BMO Field's World Cup Expansion: Temporary Fix or Lasting Legacy? | UrbanToronto

The City of Toronto, in partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), has unveiled more detailed plans to expand BMO Field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the city will host six matches, including Canada’s first-ever men’s World Cup match on home soil.

urbantoronto.ca

42

 

[GenerationW]

Off topic but I think that Trump et al has killed any chance of an NFL team outside of the US on a number of fronts.

He's just another nail in the coffin. It died before him. There is no benefit for the NFL to put a franchise outside the U.S.

I hope this reno allows for regulation 20 yard CFL end zones instead of the current 18. A certain former mayor who clandestinely maneuvered BMO to be built as soccer-specific instead of multi-use as originally intended is the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Mihairokov]

OT: MLSE is eliminating 80 positions, which is nearly 10% of their workforce.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mlse-layoffs-1.7474450

 

[PL1]

He's just another nail in the coffin. It died before him. There is no benefit for the NFL to put a franchise outside the U.S.

I hope this reno allows for regulation 20 yard CFL end zones instead of the current 18. A certain former mayor who clandestinely maneuvered BMO to be built as soccer-specific instead of multi-use as originally intended is the gift that keeps on giving.

Frankly, I hope the Argos move out, but I know it won't happen.

A friend who claims/claimed to know something suggested that MLSE may work with the city to renovate Lamport for the Argos. I don't think that will happen (and I think this is idle speculation at best), and they will continue to play at BMO Field.

As you point out, BMO Field isn't optimal for the Argos, and the stadium (and field conditions) have been downgraded for Toronto FC, too.

 

[sixrings]

Frankly, I hope the Argos move out, but I know it won't happen.

A friend who claims/claimed to know something suggested that MLSE may work with the city to renovate Lamport for the Argos. I don't think that will happen (and I think this is idle speculation at best), and they will continue to play at BMO Field.

As you point out, BMO Field isn't optimal for the Argos, and the stadium (and field conditions) have been downgraded for Toronto FC, too.

Mississauga is building a new stadium to take them off your hands.

 

[GenerationW]

Frankly, I hope the Argos move out, but I know it won't happen.

A friend who claims/claimed to know something suggested that MLSE may work with the city to renovate Lamport for the Argos. I don't think that will happen (and I think this is idle speculation at best), and they will continue to play at BMO Field.

As you point out, BMO Field isn't optimal for the Argos, and the stadium (and field conditions) have been downgraded for Toronto FC, too.

Lamport can't be renovated for anything.

I'd rather TSC move out. They chew up the field far worse than the Argos. Wembley groundskeepers confirm that soccer does more damage to grass than football.

 

[ChesterCopperpot]

Do you have a source for that?

The fact that you call them TSC instead of their proper name suggests you are kind of biased against them.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Lamport can't be renovated for anything.

I'd rather TSC move out. They chew up the field far worse than the Argos. Wembley groundskeepers confirm that soccer does more damage to grass than football.

It can absolutely be renovated as long as the City is willing to move / remove the parks on either side. It's a large enough site to build a much larger stadium. The block Lamport is on is around 9 acres - BMO field is around 8.5 acres in footprint right now with relatively similar dimensions.

The real question is where the money would come from.

 

[T-Bor]

Frankly, I hope the Argos move out, but I know it won't happen.

A friend who claims/claimed to know something suggested that MLSE may work with the city to renovate Lamport for the Argos. I don't think that will happen (and I think this is idle speculation at best), and they will continue to play at BMO Field.

As you point out, BMO Field isn't optimal for the Argos, and the stadium (and field conditions) have been downgraded for Toronto FC, too.

How was BMO downgraded for TFC because of the Argos? Legit question

 

[Mihairokov]

It can absolutely be renovated as long as the City is willing to move / remove the parks on either side. It's a large enough site to build a much larger stadium. The block Lamport is on is around 9 acres - BMO field is around 8.5 acres in footprint right now with relatively similar dimensions.

The real question is where the money would come from.

I don't see the necessary need of expanding Lamport in such a way as it is so close to BMO. If the Argos have issues at BMO they'll have the same issues at Lamport. If BMO is going to sit at ~30K it makes sense that Lamport sits in that ~8-12K area to soak up whatever events cannot fill BMO.

As you say, where does the money come from? If the Argos are going to be punted from BMO I imagine they end up somewhere outside the city and not north a few blocks. The new NSL team wants to play out of Lamport but, again, where does the money come from to renovate Lamport? It cannot host anything in its current state and needs a major overhaul.