Raise the Hammer

Although I don't live in Hamilton anymore I want the city to do well. Clearly the Ticats are a big part of the Hammer's identity and would be very sad to see them leave.

Bob Young appears to be looking at this situation more as a business man than a Hamiltonian. The transit arguments as they have been presented just don't add up - I wonder what else might be afoot here? As for the statement that the East Mountain is only 6k from the core - what is the purpose of that point? By any measurement , Hamilton Mountain is nowehere near the core. Furthermore, Hamilton Mountain is not Hamilton. It's what Scarborough or Mississuaga is to Toronto. Does this matter? Of course is does! Location is everything.

In Manchester, England there are 2 main football stadiums: The City of Manchester Stadium, which hosts Manchester City, and Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. Mancunians deride Old Trafford and Manchester United as being 'not part of Manchester', because their stadium is in a far flung suburb. The City of Manchester stadium is located - like many UK stadiums - in the heart of a residential neighbourhood near the core of the city. These locations work and they matter.

If you put the Ticat stadium on the Mountain you may as well put it in Oakville - I'll say it again - the Mountain is not Hamilton.

Transit issues can be addressed. As many posters have pointed out, there are more ways to get to a destination than by car. If the stadium goes on the Mountain the car will be the only viable way to get there.

As for the added benefits of locating the stadium downtown, these too have been cited in this discussion. Locating a stadium in walking proximity to neighbourhood shops and restaurants revives the neighbourhood and improves the game day experience. Who wouldn't want that?

If this Mountain stadium goes ahead it will put the Ticats in the same realm as teams like LA Galaxy with their suburban car park Home Depot Stadium and the God Forsaken Colombus Crew's airport strip locale. For those games you drive to the game, drink beer in a parking lot, watch the game and drive home. Woop De Doo. Where did we watch the game today? We can't remember, and it doesn't matter.

Here's hoping something comes along to sway this decision the right way.

Cheers

Ben