New Stadium in Hamilton

I haven't been too interested in where they build our new stadium but have halfway hoped it would be on the east mountain rather than at the waterfront. It just made more sense because there is more room for parking on the east mountain and easy highway access. Building it on the waterfront would be a nightmare for visitors because that area is heavily populated, the streets are narrow, and parking would always be a problem.

Now the federal government has taken it out of the hands of local politicians (who just might have something to gain financially) and said they'd only provide funding if the stadium was built on the east mountain. I say that's a good thing.

The local politicians who were clammering for it to be built at the waterfront are enraged by federal interference but they would still want federal money, right? Sometimes local politicians have personal interests in huge projects like this and are better circumvented when it comes to the final decision. It appears that this was the case here.

Building a huge, brand new stadium is going to cost every Hamilton taxpayer a lot so it should be built where it will do the most good. Whether we want it or even need it is of no importance because we're getting it either way so let's at least build it in the best possible location.

Note: Council had their vote and the new stadium will be built in the congested north end on the waterfront. It will be interesting to see how some patrons will enjoy parking their cars in the downtown area and walking or busing a couple of miles to get to it. Since the government won't fund it now and we might lose the Tiger Cat football team, I can see a big tax hike on the horizon.