Raise the Hammer
By RTH Staff
Published August 05, 2010
McMaster Students Union has weighed in on the stadium debate revealing the results of a survey that shows 85% of students surveyed are in favour on the West Harbour location. In a letter to the Mayor, Joe Finkle Vice President also reveals that the MSU has officially endorsed the proposed West Harbour site for the new stadium and that the East Mountain is simply too far away for students to attend and enjoy the events that would be staged at that location.
The full letter is below:
Dear Mayor Eisenberger,
I am writing to you on behalf of the McMaster Students Union (MSU), regarding the proposed sites of the new Hamilton stadium. The MSU represents nearly 20,000 full-time undergraduate students at McMaster University. Most of our constituents not only study, but live and work in Hamilton for the four years in which they are completing their degree. Two weeks ago, the MSU officially endorsed the proposed West Harbour site for the new stadium. This conclusion was reached following consultation with students and the resulting discussion amongst our Board of Directors.
The MSU believes that the proposed East Mountain site is counter-productive from an environmental, social and economic point of view. An East Mountain site would only work to further encourage urban sprawl in a city that desperately needs to revitalize its core.
Furthermore, an East Mountain location would promote the continued use of personal vehicles, rather than facilitating the transit revamp that is required downtown. Moreover, the proposed site is very inaccessible to McMaster students who live on or around campus, and who are interested in watching the Pan Am games or the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Conversely, building the stadium at the West Harbour site will result in a stronger community, one that is united in a cohesive core, rather than spread even further across the region. Therefore the MSU believes that the West Harbour site is in the best interest of the McMaster community.
We have received a small backlash from proponents of the East Mountain site, namely the ownership of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, following our public support of the West Harbour venue, yet we are not deterred in representing the interests of our constituents. On Tuesday, August 3rd, the MSU completed a survey of students in order to ensure a greater number could have their say. The results yielded 85% favourability for the West Harbour site, with 68% saying they would rely on public transit to attend events. 84% indicated that they would attend the 2015 Pan-Am Games, with the majority of comments stating that their attendance was contingent on the West Harbour location. The East Mountain is simply too far away for students to attend and enjoy the events that would be staged at that location.
I would like to thank you for your time and for considering the voice of the McMaster student population. Please find attached the final results of our survey. I would be pleased to discuss this matter with your further at your earliest convenience.
Best,
Joe Finkle Vice President (Education)
McMaster Students Union
By West Harbour Supporter (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 11:56:27
Thanks for posting this letter. I like to read things in context and not just snippits.
by the way - a must read article about putting soccer stadiums in the suburbs
http://assoc-football.com/2010/04/19/mls%E2%80%99-future-is-not-in-the-suburbs/
By z jones (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 12:18:47
Big surprise, young people support the sustainable choice. I bet 85% of 60 year olds prefer the Big Parking Lot.
Btw you seem to be missing the closing blockquote tag.
Editor (Adrian): thanks re. closing tag, should be fixed now.
Comment edited by administrator adrian on 2010-08-05 12:23:19
By seancb (registered) - website | Posted August 05, 2010 at 12:19:13
--end quote--
By JM (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 12:46:08
WHS - great article, thanks for sharing...
All makes perfect sense - although Bob Young won't buy it. When is he going to present a real case that proves otherwise? Note they also mention the teams "owning" their own stadium. The city is the one who will own this stadium... By the way i know this doesnt apply for the TFC, the city owns theirs too.
JM
By adrian (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 13:25:53
Hey Capitalist,
Here are the survey results. As you can see, about 50% of the students are very or somewhat likely to go to Ticat games. The thought that many students like to go to major sports events and party it up wouldn't come as a surprise to most people, I'm sure.
Which location do your support for the new Hamilton stadium? The West Harbour: 85% The East Mountain: 13% Other: 2%
At which location would you be more likely to attend events? The West Harbour: 84% The East Mountain: 13% Other: 2%
How would you most likely travel to events? Car: 19% Public Transit: 68% Taxi: 0% Walking: 7% Other 6%
How far are you willing to travel to attend events off campus? 15 Minutes: 19% 25 Minutes: 42% 35 Minutes: 22% 45 Minutes: 10% One Hour or More: 6%
How likely are you to currently attend Hamilton Tiger-Cats Games? Very Likely: 23% Somewhat Likely: 27% Not Very Likely: 37% Never: 13%
At which stadium location would you be more likely to attend Hamilton Tiger-Cats Games? The West Harbour: 83% The East Montain: 13% Other: 4%
Would you attend events of the 2015 Pan-American Summer Games? Yes:84% No: 16%
By Listen (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 13:29:28
If Hamilton is serious about attracting and retaining the next generation they should start listening to what students want instead of telling them the screw off. The choice of location is about city vision and by putting it on EM, you are basically saying this is a backwards town dominated by last generation thinking. We are competing with the likes of Vancouver and Montreal for young talent and a decision like this would be a no brainer for those places.
By F. Ward Cleat (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 13:58:15
Capiltalist your logic is illogical!
By jason (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 14:20:38
this report kind of worries me actually. The next time Hamilton's old boys club gives a rip about our next generation will be the first time. This report might be the nail in the coffin for the WH - just keep truckin those smart, bright, young kids out of town. We've got it down to a science.
By Tybalt (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 15:28:25
"95% of ticat fans who attend games support EM."
No way, Wiccan. I am a fan and I attend games, and I won't be buying season tickets on the East Mountain and have let the Ticats know. Ivor Wynne is bad enough to try to get to. West Harbour would be an infinitely preferable location.
Comment edited by Tybalt on 2010-08-05 14:28:38
By highwater (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 15:40:56
No scientific polls have been conducted on ticats fans' site preference, however an unscientific poll conducted by the spec gave WH a slight edge.
What percentage of these students pay city of Hamilton property taxes?
How about how much they add to the local economy while they are here?
What percentage of these students live in the city of Hamilton?
All of them most likely or close to it (while they are in college/university).
What percentage of these students regularly attend ticat games?
other percentages kindly uploaded by adrian above
What next Ryan? Are you going to tell us that 75% of people residing in Beijing think the the stadium should be build in the WH?
Give me a break.
I don't think Ryan conducted this survey.
"95% of ticat fans who attend games support EM."
No way, Wiccan. I am a fan and I attend games
Seems like a number plunked from the sky. I have seen a lot of support on here and the Ticats forum for West Harbour.
By DanJelly (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 16:12:06
Any poll that the Ticats can't corrupt or control has turned out in favour of the West Harbour.
I know the deadline makes the following a point moot, but if the stadium location could become a ballot question in October, West Harbour would win hands down.
By Robbie K (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 17:51:35
"Are you going to tell us that 75% of people residing in Beijing think the the stadium should be build in the WH?"
Of course not! Don't be crazy! Its 95%.
Wait, why aren't Capitalist and A Smith complaining that the public is being taxed in order to build a Stadium, regardless of the location? Shouldn't the invisible hand of the free market be building it for us?
Where's the outrage, you two?
Time to re-examine your core principles again.
By Mr. Meister (anonymous) | Posted August 06, 2010 at 02:16:31
If the stadium location becomes a ballot question then obviously the RTH regulars would overwhelmingly vote WH. However in the real world the voting would be much different. Most of the residents of Hamilton have never heard of RTH. I believe that the WM site would win by a slim but decisive majority, probably 60 - 40 or similar.
Mac students being younger and the vast majority living in Westdale or urban areas of course are going to support a downtown location. Most do not have the financial resources to go to Ti-Cat games on the EM with any kind of regularity nor do they actually go to games at IWS. But look at the grads who now have good incomes and most of which have moved to the suburbs Dundas, Ancaster, the Mountain or Stoney Creek and see what they want. The huge majority there do not want to go downtown for anything not even a Ti-Cat game. Mac students are what most young adults in our society are. Liberal and very idealistic, realism has not sunk in yet, but it will, just give it some time.
By highwater (registered) | Posted August 06, 2010 at 10:33:21
But look at the grads who now have good incomes and most of which have moved to the suburbs Dundas, Ancaster, the Mountain or Stoney Creek and see what they want. The huge majority there do not want to go downtown for anything not even a Ti-Cat game.
^Quality social trend predictions brought to you by the good folks at Magic 8 Ball Consulting Services.
By Capitalist (anonymous) | Posted August 06, 2010 at 14:02:38
Ryan, why do you censor people's views with the use of comment scoring?? How can you expect people to take this site seriously when you do such a thing?
By arienc (registered) | Posted August 06, 2010 at 14:06:56
Capitalist...it's not Ryan censoring anyone based on low comment scores.
Ryan's site gives you the power to decide whether you see a certain comment or not.
By jorge (anonymous) | Posted August 06, 2010 at 16:11:26
East Mountain all the way baby , Students who cares , they have no idea what's right for the Cats . If your a real fan you want the team to be financially viable . No Cats no stadium period .
What is wrong with Hamilton the stadium is being built for the Cats , Pan Am is just a reason so government money can go to build a proper modern stadium for a city this size . No Cats no Pan Am for Hamilton .
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