A Pan Am stadium for Hamilton appears to be a slam dunk, but the location may be anything but.

Councillor Bob Bratina, whose ward includes the preferred west harbour site, wants the city to consider other locations, including Confederation Park, Hamilton airport and the Sir John A. Macdonald school property.

Bratina said there are several issues with the 12-hectare west harbour site bounded by Barton, Stuart, Bay and Queen streets that could add $20 million to $30 million to the construction price.

Homes will have to be expropriated, the property may have to be decontaminated and the stadium may have to be built on expensive pilings. As well, the project may be subject to a lengthy Ontario Municipal Board appeal.

The city recently bought the former Rheem Canada site, the eastern third of the proposed stadium site. The city wanted it, even without the Games, because it could create a link between the waterfront and the core.

Hamilton councillors are expected to receive a consultant's report in February that sets out the business plans for the various sites. Once that report is considered, council is to make a final decision.

"We need to have every option open, and that includes Confederation Park," Bratina said. "It includes every option. There are too many complexities on that (west harbour) site to make it a slam dunk."

Bratina said he "personally" doesn't believe the preferred site is the ideal location. He said the transit connections aren't great.

Hamilton council voted 12-3 in February 2009 to take $60 million from the Future Fund to help pay for a 15,000-seat stadium. Council set the west harbour site as the preferred location.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said council's position remains in place.

"Nothing has changed," said Eisenberger this week.

But Bratina wants the location issue to be reopened. He believes the Macdonald school site would be preferable to the west harbour

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Cost issues raised over Pan Am site