Construction History
The stadium consists of a large grandstand on one side of the field, with a small section curving around the end zone, and a separate grandstand on the opposite side of the field. The stadium was heavily rebuilt in 1970-71 and renamed for Ivor Wynne, the former chairman of the city Parks Board, in 1971. From 1971 to 1975, Ivor Wynne's 34,500 seats made it the largest stadium in the CFL.
Ivor Wynne was the second facility in Canada to use Astroturf, after Empire Stadium in Vancouver. In the 1980s, the west endzone bleachers were removed for the addition of a new scoreboard, dropping capacity to approximately 29,500. A subsequent retrofit of the north stand lower east section for handicapped access in the 1990s dropped capacity further to just under 29,000.
The stadium was renovated again after the 2002 football season and had a new second-generation AstroTurf playing surface installed. Shortly after the 2003 season, a new scoreboard was erected in the west end of the stadium; owing to sponsorship, it is known as ArcelorMittal TigerVision.
There were plans to renovate the stadium again in 2012, with a completion date in 2014, which would also be used for the upcoming 2015 Pan American Games. On February 25, 2011, the stadium plans were approved by the Toronto 2015 Pan Am board of directors which would see the south side stands demolished and rebuilt, with the north side stands extensively renovated. The new plan, announced August 31, 2011, calls for a brand-new $150 million stadium with a new north-south pitch alignment that makes for equal advantage for sports where wind direction and sun glares are equal to both teams. It will be a multi-functioning stadium, hosting football, soccer, hockey and concerts. During construction, the Tiger-Cats will play at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium for the 2013 season. Proceeds from the agreement will go to the Gryphon Athletics fundraising campaign as a part of the University of Guelph’s BetterPlanet Project.
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