Hamilton City council has picked a peculiar time to protect city green space. With the premature removal of Confederation Park from the short list of potential sites for a new stadium for the Pan-Am games, it almost looks like they are trying to sabotage the bid. I very much understand and commend the desire to protect Hamilton’s green space, I feel this is a case where the benefits of development can outweigh the sacrifice. We may lose green space to build this thing, but we’re sacrificing one recreational space for another.
With the Red Hill Creek Expressway, and the incoming GO transit station, Confederation Park and surrounding area is now the beneficiary of a perfect convergence of road and rail access. Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins argued that other Hamilton parks aren’t being considered, but it’s fair to point out that none of those other parks have both the size and transportation access that Confederation Park does. Even the sites still on the list are lacking in one or both of those categories, so this decision makes little sense in that regard. Personally, I would selfishly enjoy a stadium downtown, but I know it might not be the best solution for the city as a whole.
The addition of a stadium to Confederation Park would be a boon to area businesses and a new jewel in a crown that has lost some of its lustre in recent years. Every time the TiCats have a home game, we have an opportunity for regional or national media exposure and an influx of out of town visitors. I can think of no better place for that to happen than the east waterfront.
With respect to the sacrifice of green space, I think losing 15-20% of one park is acceptable, and with the Tiger Cats moving, we could demolish their old stadium, plant some grass, put up some goal posts and a sign reading “Welcome to Ivor Wynne Park”.
Lastly, I think the timing of this decision is particularly embarrassing for council. Earlier this week one of the big news stories was Dr. Peter George’s sage advice to Hamilton to “Be Bold”. While I know he was talking about infrastructure spending in particular, his advice applies to this situation and I would like to extend his thought: “Don’t just piss this money away filling potholes”. What does our council do? They piss away a golden opportunity for a few acres of park space.
What would be exceptionally bold would be to build public infrastructure around other public infrastructure. The call for a confederation park stadium, besides being ecologically backwards, is that it has absolutely no synergy with any other ongoing infrastructure spending. Particularly rapid transit but not limited to that. For instance a downtown or west harbour site works with the two-way plan for downtown and now going on York Blvd Library/Farmers Market renovation. In addition to access via both potential “A” and “B” B/LRT lines there are shared parking and event resources for Copps that can be leveraged.
The transit point is important. We have a lot of lower incomes in Hamilton and depending on a site like Confederation park, which is largely only car accessible, is not in the public interest. A seasonal bus like the Confederation Park is not transit accessible. We’re talking about building the resources within the confines of the city and accessible to ALL residents not just able bodied and economically able car drivers. Because lord knows there are going to be less of those in the coming years.
Economically limiting the stadiums revenue to a shuttle bus, car and no pedestrian access from adjacent businesses or homes in an isolated area is another receipt for disaster.
As for “a couple acres of green space” how would you feel if they built this potential stadium over Gage Park? Because in terms of heritage these two options are somewhat kin.
I beg you reconsider your opinion.
-Brodie
(Matt’s friend)
Sorry for the late reply, but better late than never.
I still feel that in order to “sweeten the pot” the Confederation Park site might still be worth considering. Remember, the bid committee doesn’t give a rip about Hamilton or what happens in the aftermath, their job is to organize a successful bid.
I agree completely that a downtown or west harbour location is better for the people of Hamilton (the blog is called King and James, after all), but if the bid goes sour because we want the stadium between train tracks and residential lands then we won’t get a stadium at all.
Your transit concerns are valid, but if the City continues to support Cats’ home games with free HSR transit for ticket holders (including shuttles from major transit points – Eastgate, Limeridge, Downtown) then that might mitigate the concern. With the B-Line and a quick shuttle between Eastgate and Ivor Wynne Jr. I think the site is reachable by anyone who wants a cheap/free lift.
Having said that, the point is moot since they have dropped Confederation Park from consideration.
I really like the west harbour site and as long as we get the stadium then it is likely the best location.
Thanks for reading.