Ivor Wynne Stadium demolition starts this week in Hamilton

[IMAGEGALLERY galleryid=3501 size=large]

The demolition of Ivor Wynne stadium will begin this week and last for about two months.

Crews from Budget Environmental will start at the southwest corner of the property to knock down the stadium, said Gerry Davis, general manager of public works.The demolitionwill likelygo until mid February.

Residents of the neighbourhood "will see machinery moving in there" in the coming days, Davis said.

The demolition permit should be issued this week, said project manager Janet Warner. The basic design of the new stadium will be completed in January. Smaller details will be worked out throughout the construction.

When crews finish demolition, excavation will begin, followed by construction of the new Pan Am stadium. Construction is scheduled to be completed on July 1, 2014, Davis said.

The Tiger-Cats will move in that summer, then move out from June 8 to Aug. 6, 2015 to accommodate the Pan American Games.

The new stadium will be constructed by Ontario Sports Solutions.

The Tiger-Cats have been selling pieces of the old stadium, with the money going into a community foundation to help the neighbourhood surrounding the stadium.

Eighty of the 25,000 seats for sale were sold, as well as signs and other memorabilia, said Coralee Secore, manager of the Pan Am initiative.

Items stillfor sale on eBayinclude the men's and women's washroom signs, two press box seats and four hall of fame club seats.

The sales have raised about $30,000 for the foundation so far, Secore said.