'We are here today and it's all open': Hamilton's stadium delays end

A colourful ceremony to officially open Hamilton's new $145-million stadium ahead of the planned Pan Am Games soccer matches there in July wasn't without a few jabs at how long the thing took to build.

And the man who handed over the key fought hard to get the stadium sited somewhere else than where it is, a compromise location.

The stadium wasn't ready for last season's Tiger-Cats games, and it took an eleventh-hour push to allow the team to play last year's Labour Day Classic against the Toronto Argonauts in its new, still-under-constructionhome. The city's had to push off scheduled events there. There were nine days circled on the calendar the first was June 30, 2014for when the stadium would open, and they were all missed.

But by the time Mayor Fred Eisenbergertook the stage Friday to thank the people who helped build it, he called it a "great day for the city of Hamilton."

"Yes, it took a little time, and I think we've all had our frustrations," he said."But we are here today and it's all open."

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MP David Sweet said hosting the games will benefit people in Hamilton, Canadian athletes and visiting athletes who will get to "experience great Canadian and Hamiltonian hospitality."

Eisenbergeroriginally fought the placement of the stadium in its current location, the formerIvorWynneStadium site. But Friday, he was letting that be bygones.

"Listen, the stadium is where it is, so we move on," he said."It's a fantastic stadium. It's going to be here for the next 80 to 100 years. And I'm happy we've actually got it done."