Dear Ivor Wynne Stadium,

It’s almost poetic that it rained for your last game, symbolic of the tears that some Hamiltonians must have shed.

Ever since the Pan Am Games announcement, we all knew this day would come.

Now that it has, it’s a bittersweet feeling.

Let’s be honest, you’re not the prettiest girl at the CFL stadium dance, but that’s part of what makes you so unique.

At one point, your north stands were considered too ugly to be put on TV.

Instead of cushioned seats, you have wooden benches.

You live in the heart of the city with steel mills poking over your north stands.

To the people of Hamilton, you’re much more than just where the Tiger-Cats play, you are our Mecca.

There was the time I introduced my girlfriend Lauren, who is from Mississauga, to a real football crowd. I dressed her up in full Toronto Argonaut gear and took her to a Labour Day Classic. The expression on her face while experiencing her first “Argos suck!” and “Oskee-Wee-Wee!” chants and seeing how dedicated the fans are to the team and stadium is something I’ll always remember.

There’s the playoff game between Hamilton and B.C. in 2010 when I held the Canadian flag on the field before the game and became engulfed in the atmosphere from the player’s level. I was then part of the roar when the Ti-Cats scored the game-tying touchdown, sending the game into overtime and breaking a part of the bench in the process. (My neighbour still has that bench.)

I’ve seen your ugly side while covering the locker room sale for class. A classmate and I were given a look at some of your nuances, from the offices to the outdated weight room, torn punching bags and all.

You’re not for the faint of heart.

There’s the community around you that allows fans to park on their lawns to see a game. I paid $10 on Saturday to park beside some guy’s house and I’m sure he makes a killing.

January 2012 brought hockey to your field, when you hosted Canada’s first AHL outdoor classic. For two days, I, along with thousands of others, braved the harsh winds and cold temperatures to support our hometown Hamilton Bulldogs.

I’m not old enough to remember your entire 84-year history, but it’s still a part of me.

You were built in 1928 and hosted the British Empire Games in 1930. I’ve seen the historic photo of Angelo Mosca hoisting the Grey Cup in 1972 and heard about Pink Floyd blowing up your scoreboard on the last day of their 1975 North American tour.

I’ve walked on the same turf as Morreale, Hitchcock, Stala, Montford, and Angelo Mosca. I was at the last Labour Day Classic, and I was at the very last game. In my own small way, I am part of your history.

I am a Hamilton Tiger-Cat.

What better way to close out our final night with you than with a win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and one last “Argos suck!” chant? I’m sure that Ivor Wynne himself was looking down and smiling.

From the bottom of our black and gold hearts, we’ll miss you.

Yours, Diego Flammini

p.s. Argos suck!

(Edited by Glen Cuthbert)