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Officials from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. unveiled architect renderings on Wednesdya night for BMO Field's proposed expansion.
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ARTIST RENDERING
An architect's rendering of proposed renovation and expansion plans for BMO Field, unveiled by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. offered its first glimpse at potential expansion plans for BMO Field on Wednesday night at a public forum at Exhibition Place.
The architect renderings — still just a proposal at this point — included a partial roof covering for all seats as well as features to accommodate a larger CFL field.
The proposed expansion would also increase capacity for the city-owned field to 25,000 — from the current capacity of roughly 21,000 — with the ability to expand to 40,000 for concerts and other special events.
The proposal clearly positions BMO Field to become a future home of the Toronto Argonauts, who are not owned by MLSE, but are looking for a new stadium in time for the 2018 season, when their Rogers Centre lease expires.
The Toronto Blue Jays plan to install a grass field at the Rogers Centre in time for the 2018 season and will not renew the Argos’ lease beyond 2017.
Under the proposal revealed Wednesday, BMO Field’s north and south parts of the stands would retract to accommodate the extra yardage of a football field.
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“We are looking for a new home for our football team, and renovated BMO Field could be a great location for the Argos in the future,” Argos spokesman Eric Holmes told the Star in January. “At this point, however, it is premature to say we will be there.”
In previous interviews, MLSE president Tim Leiweke has said the first phase of BMO Field’s expansion would improve the concourses and increase the permanent seating capacity. The second phase, which could be completed in 2016, would build a roof over the seating area.
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