Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers
Background: On October 18, 2004, York University President Lorna Marsden announced the construction of a new 25,000-seat stadium on the Keele campus. A wide variety of York sports teams – the York Lions football team, women’s and men’s soccer teams, and York U students in general -- will be the greatest beneficiaries of these superb new athletic facilities.
The stadium will also be the new home of the Toronto Argonauts and a world-class venue for Canadian soccer – serving as host site for the FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Youth Championship in the summer of 2007.
Those interested in health and sports at York know that in terms of athletic space, York’s campus currently ranks lowest among all Ontario universities. To address this priority need, the University was in the early development phase of a plan to build on existing athletic facilities on campus (Tait McKenzie, Rexall Tennis Centre, Ice Gardens, Toronto Track and Field Centre) to create a regional sports and recreation centre on the campus, serving the University and the wider community.
Part of this plan included the construction of a new sports stadium over the next decade, following an extensive $500 million academic construction program currently being completed on campus. Instead, York is now able to build a world-class $70 million stadium for use by our students in 2006. This would not have been possible without federal and provincial contributions, private capital and the University’s willingness to seize this unique opportunity.
The University’s $15 million contribution to this project does not use funds intended for academic programs nor does it divert student tuition fees. Once the stadium has been built, the University is projected to recover its investment based on its share of operating revenues.
This announcement marks a new era for sport at York University. It positions York as the top university sports destination in the region and a major national sports venue, located in the centre of the GTA.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs:
Q: How much use will the university have?
A: York students will be the primary users and beneficiaries of the new stadium.
Q: What is York’s share of the costs?
A: York University will provide the land for the new stadium as well as $15 million, private capital led by Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon will contribute another $20 million, and the federal and provincial government will provide $27 million and $8 million respectively for a total of $70 million. In addition, the Argos will be responsible for any operating shortfall on an annual basis that might arise from the operation of the stadium.
Q: Since York already has 1,100 buses a day on campus, how will it handle the increased bus traffic during events?
A: Most stadium events will take place at off-peak hours (weekends, evenings etc.), when the University is less busy. All three major transit providers have indicated their interest in providing special transit service for stadium events.
Q: Won’t sports fans consider York difficult to get to?
A: Geographically, York is well-placed to serve sports fans from all regions of the GTA. The Keele campus has plenty of parking for any sporting event with spaces for more than 12,000 vehicles and an excellent road system. York is easily accessible from major highways -- 400, 401, 407 -- with Pearson International Airport literally minutes away. The Keele campus is served by more than 1,100 bus trips a day (TTC, GO and York Region Transit), making York one of the largest and busiest transit hubs in the city.
All three major transit providers have indicated their interest in providing special transit service for stadium events.
Q: The University is planning an expanded bus-only zone on campus – won’t this create huge transit jams?
A: The University’s plan is to separate pedestrians, buses and cars in order to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion effectively.
Q: Will this mean York gets the subway sooner?
A: York believes that a subway connection is vital to the long term future of the northwest quadrant of the GTA. In the meantime, the TTC is in the final stages of the Environmental Assessment to build dedicated bus lanes from Downsview subway station to York University to improve travel times and the reliability of bus service until the proposed Spadina subway extension through York’s Keele campus can be built. Construction of the rapid bus lanes is expected to take place in 2005 and 2006.
Q: Which teams will be playing here?
A: Other than the Argos football team and the Lynx soccer team, the York Lions men’s football team and the University’s women’s and men’s soccer teams will be using the stadium. Additionally, we are planning to host the FIFA World Youth Soccer Championship in 2007.
Number of Argos regular season and pre-season home games to be played: 10
Number of Toronto Lynx games to be played per year (2007 and beyond): 15
Number of concerts at Sports Centre stadium per year: 6
Additional annual Canadian soccer events: 5-7
Q: What about community use of the stadium?
A: York recognizes the excitement that having a new stadium will generate in the GTA. York will be working with local community and sports groups to ensure
they enjoy the benefits of this premier facility.
Q: Who will provide security at Argos and soccer games?
A: Security for the stadium will be shared by the Argos and other facility users at
their events. York will continue to provide its own community with security services: the safety of our students is paramount.
