Tiger-Cats want stadium with hotel

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are hoping to build a hotel, conference centre, some townhouses and a sports-entertainment complex to go with the city’s Pan Am stadium, making it a destination that will attract community users year round.

The team’s president Scott Mitchell and its land-use planning consultant Don May are to update the community Wednesday on their side of plans for the proposed stadium district at Longwood Road and Aberdeen Avenue.

The funding and specifics for the stadium itself have yet to be finalized, with organizers of the Pan Am Games having set Feb. 1 as the final deadline for a proposal.

The city and the team are working on a co-operative stadium package that has already seen the team commit $8 to $10 million, the city put in $45 million and the provincial and the federal governments split a $57 million contribution, for a total of $110 to $112 million — as much as $53 million less than some consider the actual cost.

The province has indicated it may increase its commitment, but by how much is not yet clear.

The city councillor for the area is doubtful enough public money will materialize to complete the stadium, while the team is proceeding on the basis that it will.

May, a veteran planner involved with major public and private projects and the past president of Parks and Recreation Ontario, is working with city staff to co-ordinate the stadium and its surrounding buildings in a village-style arrangement, including connections between existing trails and railway beds now in use at the site, which today is a CP marshalling yard.

May said a partnership between the community, public and private partners can produce a positive outcome for all sides, especially with broad public consultation.

The Tiger-Cats would develop the hotel, conference centre and other structures with private partners. The hotel and conference centre would be targeted to co-ordinate with McMaster Innovation Park on the other side of Aberdeen Avenue.