By Pepper Parr
March 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there anything to the rumour that the Hamilton Bulldog organization is looking at a Burlington location to build a new arena.
Our source knows the sport, knows the team ownership and is in that loop.
The intersection of Brant and Fairview – a small mall set up with a Staples retail operation.
There is one historical building on the site. The mall itself is not completely occupied; two major tenants have moved. There are some challenges but the people behind the Bulldogs are experienced at overcoming obstacles.
Meanwhile our friends at the Bay Observer report that Brantford city Council has voted 10 – to look at upgrading their arena from 3000 to 5000 seats and has put real money on the table look at what could be done.
From the Observer:
With the Brantford Bulldogs’ season ticket drive sitting at 2.400 for a 3,000-seat arena, the city is taking a serious look at making the team move to Brantford permanent by building an OHL-compatible arena.
On Tuesday night, Brantford Councillors voted 10-0 in favour of exploring upgrades that would bring the building up to a 5,000-seat capacity, thus meeting OHL requirements.
City staffers have now been given the green light to work on a financial plan, hiring an engagement and retaining service and sport consultants to create more ice and seating in the city.
Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer shakes with Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. The Bulldogs are in Brantford under a one year agreement that has three renewal options
Ward 3 Councillor Dan McCrary wants to see progress made on the project during the three-years the Bulldogs have contracted to be in Brantford. “We’ve got a three-year arrangement … three one-year options, so time is not unlimited and that’s why we want to advance this during 2023,”
Both the City of Brantford and the Bulldogs will pour an estimated $7.5 million into the downtown Brantford arena to facilitate an agreement that offers the team three year-long renewals.
Brantford has agreed to spend $4.67 million including $1.63 million to install a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Today, Andrea Horwath told 900 CHML’s Good Morning Hamilton on Wednesday she’s “hopeful” the team will make its way back to the city once a multi-year $100-million renovation of FirstOntario Centre is complete.
‘It does need to be done,” Horwath said.
“Then we’ll have a state-of-the-art arena and we’ll see, hopefully, the Bulldogs back.”
Jack,
I thought that the Sears building could be demolished and a high rise building be constructed in that area with a secure entrance that could lead into the mall. This would allow seniors and others to have access to stores, restaurants, drug stores, vision care, etc. without having to leave the area,
There is public transportation as well as easy access to the highway, as you mentioned.
You are absolutely correct when you say there is no vision. I used to call it “plunk vision”. Plunk a development down and see what happens.
All you have to do is look at the construction happening along Lakeshore Road and what will be built in the area known as the“football” to realize what no vision looks like and how it impacts our waterfront.
Not sure we didn’t miss the boat when Sears closed at Mapleview. Could have put a nice arena in the Sears footprint, added more restaurants to the mall, there was lots of parking, good hwy access and so forth. Lot of win potential there, just no vision.