The city will bail out a cash-strapped Canadian Football Hall of Fame for up to $100,000 as the organization searches for a new home.

Councillor and hall board member Scott Duvall surprised colleagues Wednesday with an "urgent" request for $100,000 to help the suddenly broke hall pay debts coming due as early as next week.

He said the money will also be used to fund a search for cheaper, higher-traffic digs in Hamilton. Right now, it has a municipal lease agreement for its current building beside City Hall.

"Attendance is a problem . no one is going," said Duvall, pointing to City Hall construction as the beginning of a nosedive in paid visits. "We think that a new location, in a higher traffic area, would make a big difference."

He added the organization has also just lost a major sponsor, whom he wouldn't identify, as well as the chance to apply for government grants as a result of a 2013 deficit.

Contacted at home, hall of fame chair Dave Marler acknowledged the board is having discussions about a "sustainable, stable location for the future," but added the goal is to stay in Hamilton.

Marler, a former quarterback with the Tiger-Cats, declined to talk about the hall's visitor numbers or finances in detail.

"The hall need financing, and we're looking for solutions," he said. "That's all I can say for now."

Both Duvall and Marler refused to identify or rule out any options, including the long-suggested idea of incorporating the hall into the new Pan Am stadium.

The stadium will be the new home to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but owner Bob Young wouldn't bite Wednesday night on questions about whether the hall would be a good co-tenant. "Better question for the Hall and City," he said via Twitter." Thanks for worrying about the HofF."

Public works general manager Gerry Davis, the city's main liaison on the stadium build, said the facility wasn't designed to accommodate the hall of fame, "at least as it is currently configured."

Councillors were reluctant to hand over $100,000 on the strength of a Hail Mary request.

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"We aren't a bank," said Councillor Brad Clark, who questioned why the urgent request for cash didn't come with financial statements outlining the organization's situation.

Councillors ultimately approved handing over half the requested cash in the form of a loan. Council will consider turning over the entire $100,000 in the form of a grant provided the hall meets a series of conditions, including handing over requested financial information and signing a memorandum of understanding with the city and Canadian Football League.