The Canadian Football Hall of Fame appears destined to find a new home at Tim Hortons Field.

The city, Canadian Football League and the CFHOF board of directors are all endorsing a plan to move the hall's artifacts from its 47-year home on Jackson Street West - next to City Hall - to the new $145-million stadium on Melrose Avenue North.

The hall of fame has struggled for years, facing attendance woes, sponsorship shortages and budget problems.

Last year, the city put up $100,000 to bail out the cash-strapped facility at the urging of Ward 7 Coun. Scott Duvall, a member of its board of directors.

There was talk in 2005 about moving the hall into the Lister Block, but a year ago city council gave staff the go-ahead to investigate the possibility of relocating it to the stadium.

Staff has come back saying the idea scores a touchdown.

"This is a very exciting idea that has been put forward to honour our Canadian players, leaders and builders," Duvall said.

"I think this is a very positive note."

He was pleased the city, CFL and the hall of fame directors are all on the same page, and says the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been positive as well.

"The support has just been tremendous."

A report on the relocation plan goes to city councillors Monday.

Duvall says relocating the hall to the stadium is a solution that carries on "the deserved respect that Canadian footballers have gained by giving us all those great times."

The staff report calls for the hall to be closed by the end of this month and a new home to be established at Tim Hortons Field.

The city is offering to contribute $250,000 to the cost of the new structure and development of items such as displays on legendary CFL players and builders, and a media hall of fame.

The city is also offering to pay out $25,000 of the remaining $50,000 from the $100,000 grant to the hall of fame in 2014, providing the CFL matches that amount and the city receives the hall of fame's 2013 financial statements.

The hall has been in Hamilton since 1963 and at its present location at 58 Jackson St. W. since 1968. The hall of fame operates rent-free and taxpayers spend about $130,000 a year to cover items such as maintenance, energy and property taxes. The CFL also provides about $85,000 in cash and other assistance.

A 50-year agreement between the CFL and the city on having the hall of fame in Hamilton expires in 2018.

CFL president Michael Copeland is offering to take over management of the facility and make capital expenditures for the hall of fame its responsibility.

In a June 24 letter to the city, he also says that the annual hall of fame game will take place at Tim Hortons Field until 2020 and suggests that Hamilton be officially recognized as the "Home of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame."

He accepts the $25,000 matching proviso from the city.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

City staff says relocating the hall of fame to the stadium has the potential to save the city operating funds "as moving forward all remaining operating costs will be at the expense of the CFL."

Dave Marler, chair of the hall of fame board of directors, said in a June 18 letter to Copeland and city manager Chris Murray that the board "fully supports" and endorses the new agreement and plan.

"As a board, we are very positive that your proposal for a new agreement between the City of Hamilton and the CFL is a move in the right direction for the CFHOF," Marler said.