Hamilton's new stadium faces another delay

City inspectors have told the stadium's builders they need to redo caulking on the east side stands, adding a further delay to a project that's already 10 months overdue.

The newest hurdle adds another week to a long series of delays that are already threatening to bump up against rehearsals for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Inspectors were at the stadium this week hoping to at last be able to issue an occupancy permit. The permit is a key step in finishing the $145-million project, which will host the soccer games for the Pan Am Games July 10 to 27.

City inspections revealed the caulking issue Tuesday morning, said city spokeswoman Ann Lamanes. Inspectors will return to the stadium next week in hope of being able to issue a permit.

Once the city grants an occupancy permit, the next target is declaring the stadium to be "substantially complete" which builders estimate will be by the end of April. Once that's achieved, the city will take over the facility.

It won't be a moment too soon for the project. Hamilton police need to be in the stadium by May 1 to begin its rehearsals for the Pan Am Games July 10 to 27. Hamilton will host the event's soccer games. 

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is overseeing the construction. Ontario Sports Solutions, a consortium of Ontario and French construction companies, is building it.

Both have given several reasons why the stadium wasn't finished by its original deadline of June 30, 2014, including weather and issues with subcontractors.