It's time Hamilton hosted a Grey Cup, councillor says
It's been nearly 20 years since Hamilton hosted the Grey Cup, and Sam Merulla says it's time to do it again.
Merulla, a Ward 4 councillor, says the new Tim Hortons Field is capable of hosting a Grey Cup, and the event would be a chance to showcase the city and the stadium.
So he plans to bring a motion forward this fall to direct city staff to meet with the CFL and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to see how to make it happen.
The goal is to "realize the city's desire to host a Grey Cup as soon as possible," he said in a notice of motion on Wednesday. A notice of motion is a heads up to fellow councillors that he'll bring it up at a future meeting.
Hamilton hasn't hosted the Grey Cup since 1996, he said. And under the stadium agreement between the Tiger-Cats and the city, Hamilton will host two Grey Cups in a 10-year timeframe.
The Tiger-Cats have been to the Grey Cup for the last two years.
Merulla's motion:
Whereas the City of Hamilton is home to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats football club; and
Whereas Tim Hortons Field is a new stadium and capable of hosting large sporting and entertainment events; and
Whereas the last time Hamilton hosted a Grey Cup was in 1996; and
Whereas hosting events at the new Tim Hortons Field is an opportunity to showcase the stadium and community; and
Whereas there has been a commitment at the time of the stadium negotiations that Hamilton would host two Grey Cups within a 10 year timeframe upon substantial completion;
Therefore be it resolved that:
The city manager and staff meet with the CFL and Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football club in an effort to assist and determine how to realize the city's desire to host a Grey Cup as soon as possible.