Hamilton Ti-Cats and city closer to stadium deal

City council in Hamilton has approved a new motion on the reconstruction of Ivor Wynne Stadium for the 2015 Pan American Games.

Coun. Lloyd Ferguson's motion caps the city's contribution to the project at 44 per cent of the construction costs, as required by Toronto 2015 officials.

According to the latest estimates, that will add up to roughly $54-million and replaces a previous motion which capped Hamilton's contribution at $45-million.

City officials hope that Ontario will now step forward to cover the project's $25-million shortfall in advance of Monday's deadline to forward a stadium proposal to Pan Am Games officials.

The project, which has a total value of $154-million, involves a reconstruction of 15,000 seats at Ivor Wynne along with a 10,000 seat renovation of the north stands.

The renovated stadium would be used for the Pan Am Games and serve as the new home for the CFL's Tiger-Cats.

Mayor Bob Bratina said Thursday that he is confident the project will succeed, but admits there are still some loose ends.

"It's lease agreement issues ... the ratio of monies in various aspects of that agreement with the Tiger-Cats," Bratina said.

"I'm confident that on the 31st of January 2011 our Pan Am stadium matter will be resolved.