Raise the Hammer
On September 13, McMaster University President Patrick Deane issued a statement in regards to the City proposal to build a Pan Am stadium on McMaster Innovation Park lands, in which he wrote: "It is clear that the significant changes required to place a stadium in the park would not allow MIP to fulfill its vision in building economic opportunity for Hamilton."
In light of McMaster's withdrawal from consideration of a stadium on MIP lands, City staff recommended buying the CP Rail Yard on the other side of Aberdeen Ave. and building the stadium there instead.
The August 31 decision by Hamilton City Council to include the McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) in its search for an appropriate site for a new stadium unexpectedly drew McMaster into this very important municipal issue. We were pleased to be able to meet with the City Manager and his colleagues to better understand the details of the City's interest in MIP and to be able to discuss our vision for the Innovation Park, the Park's success to date and our plans for future developments and job creation at MIP. We appreciate the professional, focused and sincere approach that was brought to these discussions.
We entered the discussions with the city with a clear set of principles including the need to maintain MIP's vision, visibility and exposure to the 403, and the need to achieve the full value for the premium site that reflected pending development plans. While our meetings were helpful and we kept our minds open to the potential of finding a solution that would work for everyone, our discussions have now ended. It is clear that the significant changes required to place a stadium in the park would not allow MIP to fulfill its vision in building economic opportunity for Hamilton.
McMaster and all three levels of government invested in MIP to bring innovation, investment and jobs to the city. That mission can be seen in action every day with more than 300 people currently working at the innovation park, the CANMET materials technology lab nearing completion, and investments in automotive technology, health research, education and healthcare in various stages of development. Together, these developments are at the heart of what makes an innovation park successful - partnerships, vision, innovation and commitment to a long-term plan.
McMaster values the tremendous public support we have received for our investment in MIP and our commitment to its future. We have been fortunate that the City of Hamilton has been a close partner and has helped to make the innovation park a success. Our discussions provided valuable insight into each partner's objectives. And while we were not able to find common ground on this issue, the partnership between the City and McMaster will continue to bring tremendous value and opportunity to Hamilton.
Sincerely,
Patrick Deane
President and Vice-Chancellor
By Mr. Meister (anonymous) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 11:48:05
How did McMaster afford this "premium site." They bought a pretty big chunk of land.
By jason (registered) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 11:55:38
the city and the future fund helped them purchase it and start work on it. I'm sure other levels of government chipped in too, but I don't know that for certain.
By Another Capitalist (anonymous) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 13:41:45
Looks like Mac asked for way to much money.
Now I'm sure there pissed at themselves.
Same old story at Mac; fundraise on the capital side, no money left to operate the damn thing.
By Woody10 (registered) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 15:11:39
CP approached the city offering to sell did they not?
By JonC (registered) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 18:21:58
I believe that other than the city itself, McMaster has the largest input to the municipal coffers every year. They're cleaing up land that other industries abandoned and doing something useful with it. It's pretty ludicris to call that taking the city hostage. Shit, the city was heling them fight off corporate interests at the site earlier this year.
By larryformayor.com (anonymous) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 21:23:55
Jason said, "the city and the future fund helped them purchase it and start work on it. I'm sure other levels of government chipped in too, but I don't know that for certain."
Actually it was Larry Di Ianni who spear-headed the city contribution of $5M dollars. It was a great investment.
By realfreeenterpriser (registered) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 22:18:07
"Actually it was Larry Di Ianni who spear-headed the city contribution of $5M dollars. It was a great investment."
Well, Larry's certainly got a lot of experience with contributions.
By jimmys (registered) | Posted September 15, 2010 at 22:31:49
Actually it was Larry Di Ianni who spear-headed the city contribution of $5M dollars. It was a great investment.
I heard that McMaster University wouldn't even exist if it weren't for Larry DiIanni. Same for sliced bread, clean water and general humanity.
Just stay retired already. Your generation had their chance and with all due respect, ummm, hasn't really left our generation with the greatest chance for success if you know what I mean.... unless your a Losani or Desantis kid.
By smithy (anonymous) | Posted September 16, 2010 at 09:40:47
Losani and Desantis kids...I think they were at fred's secret fundraiser.
By Mr. Meister (anonymous) | Posted September 16, 2010 at 15:25:50
What was the total amount paid for the MIP site? Was the $5M a major part of the price? If the city helped out with a big piece of the price tag then the city should be pretty upset if Mac now decides that they will not help out with the city's needs.
I still think that the city and the university should have worked together on the whole stadium issue when Mac started to build a new stadium. With the city's input and help that could be a 25,000 to 30,000 seat stadium right where it is and the Tiger-Cats should be playing there too.
By Mr. Meister (anonymous) | Posted September 16, 2010 at 23:55:04
Just out of curiosity why did you downvote my last post?
By woody10 (registered) | Posted September 24, 2010 at 00:10:50
I didn't. I thought at the time a mutual stadium was the best case scenario for this city.
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