After months of debate, at least a half-dozen different locations, more than $1 million in city staff time and a whirlwind of proposals and ultimatums, the struggle to choose a site for the Pan Am stadium is finally over.
City council voted unanimously Monday — on the eve of today's TO2015 deadline — to name Ivor Wynne stadium as the location of the 2015 Pan Am Games. Council also voted to adopt a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that outlines the terms of the Ticats' 20-year lease with the city.
The decision resolves a divisive and often-heated debate that has dominated discussions at City Hall since May 2010, when the Cats said they would not support a Pan Am Games stadium at the west harbour.
It also marks a point of no return. If the city chooses to back out of the Games after this point, it could face legal liabilities.
“I feel a little bit exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time,” Mayor Bob Bratina said after Monday's meeting. “I'm really happy — not only because we've solved the problem of the stadium, but I think we've solved some relationship problems among council, between council and staff, and with the province of Ontario.”
It's now up to TO2015 CEO Ian Troop to review Hamilton's pitch and rule whether the city will be awarded the stadium.
TO2015, which lined up fallback options for the stadium in other municipalities, will announce its decision in mid-February.
Troop declined to comment Monday, saying he would instead release a statement Tuesday.
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