Toronto Argonauts tailgating plan aimed at creating paradise in a parking lot

Welcome to football tailgating, Ontario style.

The Toronto Argonauts, in their continuing efforts to revive their fan base heading into its new home at BMO Field, announced Wednesday that they are bringing the American tradition of tailgating to their home games. "We are revolutionizing our game day experience by bringing tailgating to our games at BMO Field this year," Argonauts president and CEO Michael Copeland said at a press conference Wednesday. "With our move to an outdoor and intimate stadium, we have a real opportunity to reinvent the Argos experience and it all starts with this."

Sounds great, but before you get too excited about Toronto replicating the NFL and NCAA football experience, a beer-and-barbecue-fuelled taste of paradise in a parking lot, remember that the stadium is in Ontario. As such, it is subject to Ontario's relatively restrictive alcohol rules. (Considering that in some states, bringing a gun to a tailgate party is allowed, that may not be entirely a bad thing.)

And, oh yes, you'll have to bring a few dollars if you want to hold a party on the tailgate of your pickup truck.

For one, thanks to Ontario alcohol laws, you can't (legally) bring your own booze. Secondly, you can bring your own propane barbecue, but it can't be more than 20 pounds. Thirdly, parking spots will cost you an extra $5 on top of the existing $35 charge at Exhibition Place or $30 fee at Ontario Place.

The good news is that beer will be sold for $4, far below what it will cost inside or what it would cost you at the Rogers Centre or Air Canada Centre. Better yet, Ontario laws apparently don't cover what you can cook on the barbecue, so fans can use their imaginations. (One assumes the first time somebody fires up a whole pig, authorities might step in.)

Reaction was mixed, as expected.

But the Argos are convinced that the tailgate parties will help bring back fans turned off by years at the sterile Rogers Centre.

"Our vision is to provide fans with the tools to tailgate – designated parking spots around BMO Field, ice cold beer, the ability to bring food and BBQs – and then leave it to them to organically create the atmosphere and traditions,” said Copeland.