Raise the Hammer

The following is an excerpt of an article titled “City out of stadium options” by Emma Reilly in the Hamilton Spectator today :

“The decision to abandon the CP rail yards and Confederation Park also has Tiger-Cats president Scott Mitchell threatening to move the CFL team.

“We’ve acted with great integrity and great transparency and great integrity from the start of this,” he said.

“Professional sports has had a very tough run in Hamilton.”

Here is the link to Ms. Reilly’s article: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/articl...

Compare and contrast today’s article with this excerpt from the Minutes of the February 23, 2009 Committee of the Whole meeting where Hamilton city council first voted to spend $60 Million on Pan Am facilities including on a multi-purpose stadium and a velodrome with the west harbour as the preferred site:

“5.6 Scott Mitchell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The delegation outlined the overwhelming support for the city’s Pan Am Game Bid outlining the following reasons: Rare opportunity for Hamilton to work with Federal/Provincial Governments/sports organizations, CFL and other organizations; great opportunity for investment in the community. Ticats have invested financially in Ivor Wynne including scoreboard, audio system, digital signage, locker rooms, private suites in the Hall of Fame club. However, there is no appetite for long-term investment in Ivor Wynne Stadium; ability to host a Grey Cup with a new stadium. Mr. Mitchell further addressed the seating capacity of 22,000 needed at a minimum but ideally 26,000 to 27,000; more revenue would be had if there was a new stadium.”

Here is the link to the Minutes of the February 23, 2009 Meeting of the City of Hamilton Committee of the Whole: http://hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/A74BC236...

And here is the link to the Minutes of the February 18, 2010 Meeting of the City of Hamilton Committee of the Whole at which city council voted to confirm its $60 Million on a multi-purpose stadium and a velodrome with the west harbour as the preferred site. Mr. Mitchell did not address city council at that meeting: http://hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/26BB9E10...

Mr. Mitchell failed to inform city council, prior to the city committing $60 Million to the Pan Am Games in 2009 and 2010, that the Tiger-Cats would never play at a west harbour stadium and that the Tiger-Cats required the removal of the track from the “multi-purpose stadium” after the Pan Am Games were done. The city fought hard to win the Pan Am athletics stadium and to host the Pan Am flame. Mr. Mitchell's lack of public transparency has cost the City of Hamilton dearly over the past two years. Mr. Mitchell should apologize to the City of Hamilton for this instead of blaming the city in the local and national media.