The TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games (TO2015) and its partners unveiled the Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium – future home of the Tiger-Cats – earlier this afternoon. Here’s what some are saying about Hamilton’s new facility…
Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League
Formerly of the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball
“The stadium plan for Hamilton revealed today will make the fan experience here truly second to none in the Canadian Football League. In fact, it will make Tiger-Cat football one of the great sports entertainment experiences in North America. It really positions the Tiger-Cats to succeed for decades to come. We look forward to receiving a Grey Cup bid from the City of Hamilton and the Tiger-Cats in the near future.”
Bob Bratina
Mayor of Hamilton
“My father took me to my first Tiger-Cats game in 1952, with season tickets in section 11. Eventually I moved to the broadcast booth to do radio play-by-play. Now as Mayor, it is my honour to preside over the closing of one great era and the opening of another in a brilliant new stadium on what is sacred sports ground in Hamilton.”
Bernie Morelli
Hamilton Councillor, Ward 3
“This facility delivers a great opportunity to be a lynchpin for activity and community engagement in our ward and throughout the City. We are excited to work with the Tiger-Cats to ensure this is more than just a football stadium. This is a sports, cultural and community centre that the whole city and all of our city residents can use, enjoy and be proud of.”
Denis Braham
Chairman Emeritus; Shareholder; Chair, Sports Business & Public Venues
Winstead Attorneys
“Having worked with Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys and Bob McNair of the Houston Texans, I know how important it is to get the design right. The upfront planning and collaboration that has gone into this stadium is impressive. They have incorporated both the community sports aspects while retaining the ability to host large scale events. This stadium will be a great community asset.”
Jim Cima
Current Senior Project Manager, Stadium Development, Minnesota Vikings
Former Senior Vice President, Prudential Center
Former Owners Representative of Construction for Lincoln Financial Field and Wells Fargo Arena
“Having extensive stadium experience, not only during the construction phase but as an operator I was very involved with the design for the new Pan Am Soccer stadium. As a consultant I was very impressed by the unique process and the collaborative nature and attitude amongst all the partners. Working closely with the City of Hamilton and the Tiger-Cats we were able to ensure best practices were incorporated into this building. The residents of Hamilton will be very pleased with the results.”
John Shannon
Former NHL Executive Vice-President of Programming and Production
Former Executive Producer of Hockey Night in Canada
“Having worked as a consultant on the build of this stadium, I can say that it delivers a world class media and broadcast facility and experience. The collaboration on the project between all parties was impressive and I can write that it is not only well equipped to be the best stadium experience in Canadian football but positions Hamilton as a city that can host the biggest events in the world from a media perspective.”
Riley O’Connor
Chairman, Live Nation Canada
“A new stadium means new opportunities. The new stadium will be unique in it’s ability to stage concerts. Hamilton has now set the stage to be the cornerstone in the Southern Ontario region for outdoor concert stadium tours. As the concert leaders in the market over the last 20 years, we are very excited in having the opportunity to be working with the Tiger-Cats to bring world class entertainment to Hamilton.”
Jeff Craib
Senior Vice President, SL Feldman & Associates
(SL Feldman & Associates is Canada’s leading full-service music booking agency with experience and expertise in the fields of artist representation, talent booking, event services, casino and corporate consulting.)
“Having just worked with the Tiger-Cats and city of Hamilton, we were able to create a wildly successful and truly memorable Tragically Hip concert to celebrate the closing of Ivor Wynne stadium. The unique location was part of the attraction and provided a great experience for the band and fans. The location and this new world class facility, along with the fact that this is the only stadium of its kind in Southern Ontario that can host large scale music events, positions it as a likely favorite stop for the best bands in the business. We see great things ahead for Hamilton and this stadium and look forward to working with the Tiger-Cats to make it happen.”
Boris Brott
Internationally recognized Canadian conductor, holding major posts as music director in Canada and the United States
“We at Brott Festival are delighted at the prospect of a new stadium in Hamilton. The new facility has the potential as a dramatic venue for large-scale open air concert events that we have not really had in Hamilton before. I am very excited by the possibilities and look forward to collaborating with the venue.”
Jim Dunn
Associate Professor McMaster University
Chair in Research on Urban Neighbourhoods Community Health & Housing (CRUNCH)
“This investment in Hamilton’s lower city will hopefully be a lightning rod for further development that creates a healthier and more prosperous neighbourhood and city.”
John McGrane
Former Member of the Canadian Olympic Soccer Team,
Member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame
“I have been working with the City of Hamilton and the Tiger-Cats to ensure that this stadium not only meets the needs of youth soccer but will be able to host a professional soccer team. Soccer has the highest participation of any sport in the country and this facility will only enhance its popularity. My dream is to one day see Canada compete with the elite soccer nations. Investment in facilities and programs designed to develop the next world class athletes starts today with this announcement.”
Victor Montagliani
President of the Canadian Soccer Association
“On behalf of the Canadian Soccer Association, I would like to congratulate the city of Hamilton on the opening of the new stadium. Starting in 2015 as the official venue for the Pan Am soccer matches, this facility will be an important asset in the continued development of the beautiful game in Canada.”
