Pan Am stadium making progress

It was a windy day to climb up onto what will soon be the stands of Hamilton’s new Pan Am soccer stadium, but the view was certainly worth it.

At nearly 50 per cent completion, the project is on time and on budget. The new stadium is slated to be ready for the Ticats 2014 season. The next year, a few adjustments will be made before it becomes home to all 32 of the Pan Am men’s and women’s soccer games.

Instead of spanning east to west, the field is now oriented north to south. That’s the ideal direction for both soccer and football and it’s expected to pick up both speed and scoring in the games. Crews are nearly done work on the steel frame, high voltage wiring and pedestrian walkways. In the spring they’ll start on the seating and turf installation.

If all goes according to plan and the winter weather isn’t too harsh it will be ready to go on time. The project has come under some criticism, saying the city is basically just rebuilding Ivor Wynne Stadium, but Jason Fellen, Toronto 2015’s director of capital projects says the new stadium is a cut above.

“The amenities and the fan experience are going to be just so much better for folks in the city of Hamilton. The seats are going to be some of the largest seats in a sports stadium. 80 per cent of the seats are within the goal line so you get spectacular sightlines, great views of the play. and you’re closer to the action.”

While things are on time and on budget so far, if that changes in the next several months, mayor Bob Bratina says it won’t affect Hamilton. The city has already contributed its part of the cost and any overflow will be Toronto 2015’s responsibility.