Tiger-Cats delay new stadium opening again; aiming for Labour Day

Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton will not be ready for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' next home game on August 16, making the Labour Day Classic against the rival Toronto Argonauts as the next possible debut date for the delayed stadium.

The Tiger-Cats announced the update in a statement on their website on Friday. It quotes a statement given to the team by the City of Hamilton, which targets the Labour Day contest as an opening event.

After a meeting yesterday that was attended by all parties relevant to the construction of Tim Hortons Field, and with further detail provided today, the building consortium of ONSS has presented a plan to have the stadium ready for the Labour Day Classic.  We have seen very significant progress in the last month and look forward to continuing to work with ONSS to ensure the opening of Tim Hortons Field for that important event. After playing their August 16th game at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium, we will work with the Tiger-Cats and all parties to transition the City of Hamilton and the team into the stadium.

Hamilton has already played two home games at McMaster, defeating the Ottawa Redblacks before falling to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"We were very pleased to hear ONSS has a plan in place that will see Tim Hortons Field open for the Labour Day Classic," Tiger-Cats president and COO Glenn Gibson said in the statement. "Kicking off the first game at our brand-new, world-class stadium on Labour Day will truly be a memorable day in Hamilton sports history."

Fans who purchased tickets for the August 16 game against the Calgary Stampeders will be issued a full-value refund or credit.