Editorial: FirstOntario Centre reno plan worth considering
As it stands, FOC is far too big for its main uses, Hamilton Bulldogs hockey, Honey Badgers basketball, small to medium concerts and special events.
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-stor...h-considering/
It makes good sense to revisit the idea of renovating the existing FirstOntario Centre (FOC) as part of Hamilton's deliberations over our arena challenge.
As it stands, FOC is far too big for its main uses, Hamilton Bulldogs hockey, Honey Badgers basketball, small to medium concerts and special events. It needs extensive renovations. Barring some miraculous development that brings a major league team to this city, a 9,000- to 10,000-seat arena is plenty for nearly anything Hamilton needs right now.
Hence, the idea of levelling FOC, using the land for some other purpose and rebuilding a rightsized arena elsewhere downtown or on the Mountain in the Lime Ridge Mall area.
Enter development consultant Jasper Kujavsky, who argues the former Copps could be transformed into a state-of-the-art 9,000-seat arena, which would have the capacity to expand by 10,000 seats for large events. And he says it could be done for the same cost as building from scratch in another location.
Count us among the many who firmly believe Hamilton's lingering aspiration to become home to an NHL team is a pipe dream. And as The Spec's Andrew Dreschel points out, only 13 of 98 events in 2018 required the arena's upper bowl.
But that said, if we can get a fully renovated, safe and hospitable arena for the same $115 million to $130 million as a new one would cost, and maintain the current location and upper bowl flexibility, it's worth serious consideration and discussion.