FirstOntario Centre (aka Copps Coliseum) | ? | 4 fl | Proposed

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by craftbeerdad

As for other teams and events, they will come regardless because of opportunity cost. The new FOC will draw lots of events because of the rental cost of Scotiabank Arena and there's no real secondary options for larger events. FOC also provides a secondary date for a large band as well. It's going to be very nice and OVG's going to pour a ton of money into this because they have a vested interested via Spectra.

[BCTed]

Originally Posted by craftbeerdad

Probably discussed in multiple iterations of this discussion, but Hamilton had the chance when Balsillie tried multiple times to buy a team (Penguins, Predators and the closest was the Coyotes, move them to Hamilton and renovate Copps (which was built to be compartmentalized/reno'd). Of course he got too enthusiastic and pissed off the Count.

It's never going to happen unless a team moves here and as mentioned the Count would strongly encourage all those American destinations over QC (then Hamilton). The Sabres and Leafs will continually impose their will on blocking Hamilton regardless of population draw especially in SW Ontario that would love to have a team. Honestly our best bet would be to get the Sabres. No one cares about them and they've been going in the right direction finally over the last two years. Their arena feels dated even though it's a mid-90s vintage. There's no demand to build a new one and they could be low hanging fruit. The only time the building is full is if the Leafs or Habs play there.

As for other teams and events, they will come regardless because of opportunity cost. The new FOC will draw lots of events because of the rental cost of Scotiabank Arena and there's no real secondary options for larger events. FOC also provides a secondary date for a large band as well. It's going to be very nice and OVG's going to pour a ton of money into this because they have a vested interested via Spectra.

Agreed that the best (though still ultra-slim) chance for Hamilton to get an NHL team would be through the re-location of the Sabres. It would solve one part of the territorial rights challenge and would not saturate the market any further, i.e. the area would still have two teams without the addition of a third.

[Fruitloops]

Sorry unable to post todays article from the Spec. Once again a lot of talk, nothing on specifics. Hope I'm wrong but at the pace this is moving I dont see Hupeg having the chops or $$ to pull this off. Prob will want more concessions from the taxpayer.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Fruitloops

Sorry unable to post todays article from the Spec. Once again a lot of talk, nothing on specifics. Hope I'm wrong but at the pace this is moving I dont see Hupeg having the chops or $$ to pull this off. Prob will want more concessions from the taxpayer.

Was it this one? I don't see much different from what we know about pace and dollars (though I expect their vision to cost way more than $100M). A few new quotes, but they don't really say much in terms of new info.

The reserve fund is new to me though. And a good thing.


Horwath concerned about losing teams but hopeful about downtown Hamilton arena revamp
Honey Badgers are ditching FirstOntario Centre permanently due to renovations

https://www.thespec.com/news/council...own-arena.html

Teviah Moro
The Hamilton Spectator
Mon., Dec. 12, 2022


Mayor Andrea Horwath says she’s concerned about the exit of Hamilton sports teams due to major renovations at the downtown arena but hopeful the improvements will entice them back.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) recently announced the Honey Badgers will relocate permanently from FirstOntario Centre to Brampton.

The Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League and Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League will also be displaced for two seasons from the York Boulevard arena. The owners of those teams haven’t yet said where their franchises plan to go or whether a permanent relocation is on the horizon.

“That’s troubling,” Horwath told The Spectator.

Hamilton is a “sports town” and the community rallies around its professional teams, the mayor said.

“Having said that, I’m hopeful that the product we get at the end — a renewed facility that is top of the line, state of the art — creates the opportunity for those teams to come back and perhaps others, as well.”

The arena’s major overhaul springs from a deal the city forged with the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG), a private development consortium.

The deal sees the city hand over operations and maintenance of the arena, downtown convention centre and concert hall to HUPEG through a 49-year lease — an arrangement the city says will save taxpayers $155 million over 30 years.

The consortium — which includes the Carmen’s Group, labour union LIUNA, Meridian Credit Union and Paletta Group — says it plans to invest at least $100 million into revamping the former Copps Coliseum.

HUPEG has also enlisted Oak View Group (OVG), a U.S.-based arena development firm, as a partner.

...

In an interview, HUPEG president PJ Mercanti said he’s “certainly hopeful” the teams will return after renovations, which are to begin next spring and wrap up after the 2024-25 season.

In an emailed statement, the city’s economic development office says the “risk of major tenants leaving the venues is HUPEG’s to address.”

The consortium is also obliged to maintain a reserve fund the city can tap for future work if necessary, the city’s chief corporate real estate officer added in an interview.

“So if something goes south — in other words, if they don’t maintain their obligations under the agreement, and the city had to step in, then we could access the reserve funds to do that,” Ray Kessler says.

Mercanti says he expects a solid rebound from stalled revenue when the revamped FirstOntario reopens.

“Whatever downfall there might be in the 20 months of construction will be more than made up for quickly once the new asset is opened and activation increases exponentially.”

The city has publicized the HUPEG deal’s broad brush strokes, but officials say the master agreement must be kept confidential to protect the municipality’s competitive advantage in future ventures.

...

Also underpinning the HUPEG deal is the consortium’s aim to create an arts and entertainment district with new residential and commercial development, including eateries and shops, near the refurbished venues.

The consortium is to receive three downtown city-owned properties for redevelopment: the York Boulevard parking garage, a nearby parking lot and land at York and Caroline Street, the site of social-service agency Community Living.

An incremental tax break is tied to the development, which city officials hope will translate into higher revenues tied to boosted assessment.

Mercanti and consortium associate Lou Frapporti — who are also behind a local effort to land the 2030 Commonwealth Games — say HUPEG will soon launch a website to share details of “The Commons” with plans to solicit feedback on the vision, including improvements to the public realm.

“We’ve got public spaces that I think are underutilized right now,” said Mercanti, pointing to the square that abuts the art gallery and concert hall. “I think there’s tremendous opportunity there.”

Frapporti said the visioning exercise is about the “connective tissue” between the venues. “What will the experience of being downtown be like as it relates to all of these anchor facilities and their interaction between them?”

Likewise, the city’s economic development office says it’s “looking forward” to HUPEG’s public engagement and how its plans “intersect” with the municipality’s efforts “for the achievement of common objectives” for the entertainment district.

The office noted the “outcome of the Commonwealth Games bid does not have an effect” on the consortium’s agreement with the city.

[King&James]

Certainly hope that we get a detailed walkthrough of the scope of work and schedule workback before the Spring 2023 start date.

[King&James]

Will this be the look in 2024....40 years after this photo I took.

[ScreamingViking]

Now THAT is a blast from the past. I was in my mid-teens when this was built, and I went to the first (I think it was the first) concert held there: Thompson Twins, who had Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (a.k.a. OMD) as an opening act.
https://www.thespec.com/entertainmen...-and-lows.html

It may very well look like that, though I bet they preserve the seating slabs. The surrounding structure may be peeled back though.

I recall the Spec having a photo of the seating bowl from a crane, before the roof went on. And another one when they had dug down for the lower level seating.


EDIT: I've seen a number of other acts there too... The Tragically Hip, U2, others. Plus numerous hockey games and other sporting events. We may not have gotten an NHL team from constructing this building, but for what was spent I think it's done VERY well. Hence my optimism about it being renovated and remaining a large facility.

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Now THAT is a blast from the past. I was in my mid-teens when this was built, and I went to the first (I think it was the first) concert held there: Thompson Twins, who had Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (a.k.a. OMD) as an opening act.

It may very well look like that, though I bet they preserve the seating slabs. The surrounding structure may be peeled back though.

I recall the Spec having a photo of the seating bowl from a crane, before the roof went on. And another one when they had dug down for the lower level seating.

[ScreamingViking]

Thanks! That may be what I mis-remembered!

[TheRitsman]

I am so excited for the renovation. I live down the street and see it on almost a daily basis, and it's looking quite sad lately.

[TheHonestMaple]

Has there been any indication on when it gets started?

[craftbeerdad]

Summer, since there's a Shania Twain concert in June.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Has there been any indication on when it gets started?

The December article said spring. I don't think there's anything more up to date.

The Bulldogs final regular season home game is Mar 12 and they're probably not going to make the playoffs. The Rock have a home game April 15 but I think they have a shot at the playoffs. The Honey Badgers are already gone.

I don't know if there are any other events planned after mid-April, but I'd think things will get going in May or June.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by craftbeerdad

Summer, since there's a Shania Twain concert in June.

Helps to look at the facility schedule! June 20 for Ms. Twain. She can bring the house down!

[King&James]

I was also in my teens in the 80s, taking photos of development. My first show was a sold out Bob Hope show .... Some on this thread I am sure are googling that reference up.

[Berklon]

My friends and I were excited about the construction of Copps. We were in highschool and every week we'd ride our bikes downtown just to see the progress.

When the arena was probably about 60% done (the roof was covered at the time) they still didn't have doors in place for the main loading entrance on York - so we just walked in and made our way to centre ice (or centre dirt at the time). It was glorious. Security guards escorted us out.

I think the first thing I saw there was a Canadian National hockey team game. Oddly, I didn't see a lot of things there... World Junior hockey championships, Bruins/Capitals pre-season game AC/DC (1988) and Boston(1988) concerts, a few Hamilton Canucks games, Canada Cup, and maybe a few smaller things I can't remember.

[LikeHamilton]

The pictures bring back memory's. I was at the ground breaking.

[Berklon]

I had to think about it for a bit, and realized that the last time I attended anything at Copps/FOC was around 1992 at a Hamilton Canucks game. 30 years is a long time.

Even after the renovations, I honestly can't see myself ever attending anything there again. I don't really watch hockey anymore at any level and I hate the arena/stadium atmosphere for concerts (although the artists I like always play much smaller venues anyway - so I won't be missing anything).

[jonny24]

I've been to a couple Bulldogs games (2 AHL / 1 OHL) and a few concerts - Arkells, Def Leppard + Poison, but honestly I thought I'd been there more often.

I did get to do an extensive walk-through a few years ago when we were bidding on the renovation work (it was for one of the groups that didn't win). I'll to dig around our files and see if we have anything from the current group.

[Markus83]

Awesome pictures!!