CHML
3/6/2013
The Ticats have made a number of announcements just steps from their home for the 2013 season.
President Scott Mitchell says the team will be in the community long term, referring to ongoing initiatives they have planned for the city of 130,000 people.
An artist rendering of Alumni Stadium show a boost in capacity to 15,000 seats, with four main grandstands, improved media facilities, hospitality tents and party zones.
Mitchell says work is already underway to improve the facility to make sure it meets CFL standards.
Guelph mayor Karen Farbridge says hosting Ticats home games will raise the profile of the community across Canada.
The University of Guelph's Brenda Whiteside says she can't imagine how much the partnership and national exposure the school will receive is worth.
A handful of Ticats players say they can't wait to play in Guelph this season.
Kicker Luca Congi, who was born in nearby Waterloo, says pictures of refurbished Alumni Stadium look great.
He says he can envision a loud crowd on game days that will give the Tiger-Cats great home field advantage, just like they had at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
After looking at an artist's rendering of the stadium, Congi says having the fans close to the field, and a more intimate setting, it will be a lot of fun for the players and spectators.
Click below to listen to CHML's Rick Zamperin in conversation with Luca Congi.
General manager and head coach Kent Austin says the team is not looking at playing in Guelph as a disadvantage at all.
Austin says they will make Alumni Stadium their home, and make it hard on other teams who come to visit.
Ticats linebacker Kevin Eiben also officially announced his retirement from the CFL Wednesday.
Click below to listen to CHML's Rick Zamperin with Kevin Eiben.
Eiben is heading into the Ticats' front office as Manager of the New Stadium Development.
He says he will be part of a team that will be in charge of attracting corporate clients to the new Pan Am Stadium.
The 12-year veteran says he wrestled with the idea of retirement for the past three months, but says he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
Click blow to hear CHML's Rick Zamperin speak with Tiger-Cats president Scott Mitchell.
The Ticats will play nine of their ten home game in Guelph this season, the only exception being their game in Monton in September.
Hamilton will host a pre-season game in Guelph on June 30 and kick off their home schedule at Alumni Stadium on July 7.
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