Tim Hortons stadium delay: A timeline of missed deadlines

Hamilton's new stadium,Tim Hortons Field, is experiencing yet another delay.

The builder, Ontario Sports Solutions, estimated that it would be finished by Nov. 28. Now, a day before that deadline, the project is delayed again with no deadline given.

"I'm frustrated," said Gerry Davis, the city's head of public works. "It should have been done. It's very, very frustrating."

Infrastructure Ontario is responsible for the $145-million, 22,500-seat stadium. The city takes possession when construction crews finish.

The first deadline was June 30. Builders then hoped to finish in time for the first Hamilton Ticats home game on July 16. After missing three home games in the summer, builders finished it enough to host the Labour Day Classic. By the time last weekend's Eastern Final arrived, the team was able to play before a sold out crowd, so the remaining work didn't affect attendance. In the seven games the team has played there, it has yet to lose.

The CFL seasonover,but for Sunday's grey Cup, and builders are still working. Crews will meet the deadline for the Pan Am Games next July, so TO2015 soccer games will be played in Hamilton, Davis said. But significantmechanical, heating and ventilation work is still outstanding.

"We're telling them, 'Finish the job, get out and let us in," Davissaid.

Here's the tale of the Pan Am stadium delay, in quotes:

Feb. 4, 2013

"I'm skeptical to say the least that the new stadium will be ready for football by July 2014There are engineering observations that a new facility like the one proposed for Hamilton cannot possibly be completed in approximately one year. And historically, construction projects in Hamilton are rarely 'as advertised.' Terry Ott, sportswriter, in a guest column for CBC Hamilton

Source:Tiger Cats need a Pan Am stadium reality check

Nov. 14, 2013

"We know we've got to have this ready for June 30, 2014 for the 'Cats to take it over. We started with that in mind and we're right on track." Ian Troop, CEO of TO2015

Source: See the Ticats' new home take shape

Jan. 21, 2014

"We all want to meet this date so we can deliver for the city of Hamilton and the Ticats as well as ourselvesWe're very confident." Garreth Barkey, site supervisor with Kenaidan Contracting Ltd., part of Ontario Sports Solutions

"I wasn't comfortable with it. I've been working with staff forthe last few days getting an update." Lloyd Ferguson on what he saw driving past the stadium site. (Ferguson is an Ancastercouncillor, construction industry veteran and chair of the city's Pan Am subcommittee.)

Source: Ice storm delays Hamilton Pan Am stadium construction by 2 weeks

Feb. 20, 2014

"Ontario Sports Solutions are confident they will meet theJune 30, 2014completion date in accordance with the project agreement." TerenceForan, spokesperson for Infrastructure Ontario

"When I look at it and look at what they have left to do, it's going to be close." Lloyd Ferguson

Source: Ontario says back-up plan needed if Pan Am stadium deadline missed

March 21, 2014

"We believe the worst case scenario would represent a delay of six weeks. Please be assured that every effort is being made to avoid this occurrence. However, we feel it is prudent to provide this notification now to allow all stakeholders to be apprised and to initiate discussions as to how, collectively, we can take measures to mitigate the potential delay." Samuel Gandossi from Ontario Sports Solutions

"(I'm not) panicking yet. We need more information." Lloyd Ferguson

Source: Pan Am stadium could be delayed 6 weeks, letter warns

April 26, 2014

"What's the point? If you say it, it becomes a story, and it's not going to happen. It's ghosts and goblins at this point." Ticats president Glenn Gibson on a contingency plan if the stadium isn't finished by July 16.

"It's going to be tight. I don't want to mislead the public that this is a slam dunk. It's not going to be easy." Lloyd Ferguson

Source: Ticats have plan for late stadium, but won't need it: Gibson

May 28, 2014

"It's a relief, but I look at that site and there's a lot of work to be done yet. I'm not sure if all levels will be open [for the home opener] yet. It's unclear." Lloyd Ferguson, upon hearing that the stadium would be ready by July 16.

Source: Pan Am Stadium will likely be ready for Ticats, but not finished

July 7, 2014

"(We're) disappointed that construction of the stadium will not be completed for the start of the football season. We are determined to make sure that the stadium is completed by Ontario Sports Solutions and that the public interest is protected." Infrastructure Ontario

Source: New stadium won't be ready for first Ticats games

July 16, 2014

"Originally, this game was scheduled to be on ESPN to showcase Hamilton's new stadium. But since the game has been moved to Ron Joyce Stadium, it will now be carried on ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, ESPN3. ESPN will explore opportunities to feature Hamilton's new stadium on one of its linear TV networks later on in the season." CFL spokesperson Jamie Dykstra

Source: Ticats game dropped from ESPN broadcast because of stadium delay

July 22, 2014

"We don't have specific technical issues. It is a matter of finishing the job." Jean-Louis Fuz of Bouygues Canada, part of the OSS consortium, in assuring council the stadium would be finished by Aug. 16

Source: Stadium builder short $89M until the project is finished

Aug. 1, 2014

"That's why I'm going on the tour. I want to see itLabour Day is an absolute must. The Argonauts come into town. Interest picks up in the CFL after Labour Day. It'll be embarrassing for the city if it's not ready." Lloyd Ferguson

Source: Forget Aug. 16, target is now Labour Day Classic for stadium opening

Aug. 15, 2014

"There's so much work there. There may be less than a 75-per cent chance." Lloyd Ferguson on the stadium being ready by Labour Day

Source: Stadium being ready for Labour Day will be 'a stretch': Ferguson

Aug. 26, 2014

"I'm not prepared to talk about why there's a delay or the reasons for it." Greg Stack, Ontario Sports Solutions

Source: Builders changed Tim Hortons Field designs mid-construction

Aug. 31, 2014

"The Labour Day Classic is a go!" city spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos

Source: Tim Hortons Field will be open for Monday's Argonauts-Ticats game

Sept. 23, 2014

"I'm relying on the contractor to get the work done. Do I have one regret? Yeah, that it didn't finish on time." Jon McKendrick, Infrastructure Ontario

Source: New Hamilton stadium 'substantial completion' date by Oct. 15

Oct. 24, 2014

"I don't believe anything they tell me anymore. I'm so fed up. They didn't do what they said they're going to do

It's supposed to be three strikes and you're out. They've had six strikes. They're out twice." Lloyd Ferguson

Source: Stadium won't be finished until after the CFL season

Oct. 31, 2014

"I wasn't surprised. They haven't met a deadline yet so why would we expect them to meet a deadline now?" John Gibson, a member of the local Pan Am planning committee for soccer

Source: Hamilton stadium not ready for Pan Am test soccer events this weekend