HAMILTON, Ont. - Work continues at Tim Hortons Field but Hamilton Tiger-Cats president Scott Mitchell remains optimistic the venue will be ready in time for club's Labour Day clash with the rival Toronto Argonauts.

Inspectors still haven't cleared the stadium to host the game, which is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Monday. But Mitchell expects an occupancy permit to be issued between Friday and Sunday.

If the game can't be played as scheduled, there are two contingency plans available: staging it Tuesday night at either Tim Hortons Field or Toronto's Rogers Centre.

But Mitchell said the backup plans are looking less likely as work crews continue preparing the facility to stage Monday's contest.

The $145-million stadium was originally scheduled to open June 30 but construction delays forced the Ticats to play their first three home games at McMaster University.

Tim Hortons Field was to have a 24,500-seat capacity but Mitchell said that would be reduced to about 18,000 for Monday's game.