The scrum over the future of the Peel basin
CBC’s Kamila Hinkson summarizes the battle for the Peel Basin area: will it be built up as a neighbourhood, or handed off to potentates to turn into a baseball stadium with adjacent luxury condos?
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Kate
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Tim S. 11:35 on 2019-10-12 Permalink
Unmentioned in the article, but worth pointing out, over and over again: Stephen Bronfman is a major fundraiser for the federal Liberals and friend of Justin Trudeau. If you think a federal Liberal government wouldn’t spend taxpayer dollars to support a baseball stadium, think again.
Faiz Imam 12:28 on 2019-10-12 Permalink
Gonna have to disagree with you there Tim.
Over the last few years stadium projects in Hamilton, Ottawa , Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Regina have all asked for federal funding. And the feds have rejected almost all but Hamilton and Ottawa.
Their reasoning is pretty clear, any stadium whose sole use is a private sports league(CFL, NHL, MLB) will not get any Funding. But a stadium which is used for a major international sports event is eligible. (Olympics, world cup, athletics championship, etc)
A baseball field does not at all qualify. It’s basically useless for anything but baseball. And if a ton of stadiums out west we’re all rejected for funding, it would be political suicide to give any to Montreal.
This is not to say Bronfman won’t get money. The Liberals are already elitist scumbags who are opening loopholes for the ultra wealthy. Brofman will get plenty of money of his own to play with.
Tim S. 13:35 on 2019-10-12 Permalink
Well, I can’t predict the future, so we’ll see. But one generally doesn’t agree to lead a political fundraising campaign without some idea of the favours you want in return. I suppose it is possible Bronfman was just doing a favour for his old friend.
Tim 21:31 on 2019-10-12 Permalink
Fascinating to learn that the original stadium built in that area didn’t even last 20 years. Built in ’62 and then demolished in the 70’s according to the article. What a waste.
Kate 22:03 on 2019-10-12 Permalink
The Autostade. Wikipedia says the Alouettes played there 1968–1976. “The stadium was considered by many to be located too far from downtown (a complaint that would be echoed years later regarding Olympic Stadium) as well as too cold due to its proximity to the Saint Lawrence River.”
Too far from downtown! At that rate, they ought to be constructing one at Peel and Ste‑Catherine.
Uatu 10:07 on 2019-10-13 Permalink
I just remember seeing the back of the risers from the Bonaventure expressway everytime we would drive into town and later realizing that the sightlines would’ve been much better than those in the bigowe. I guess the better view from a traditional stadium design was obvious when U2 forced a game to Molson stadium and the rest is history. Heh, Tailleberts stadium design looks cool, but is ultimately outperformed by a college football field