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[mikevbar1]

Originally Posted by drpgq

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.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldnt a larger arena justify larger events coming to the city? In addition, why should we plan for the present day? the whole point of planning is to look forward. Sure Hamilton isnt growing like Toronto, but at least have a little foresight. Hamilton is growing and this is our opportunity to have a larger arena. Quickly googling other large Arenas like Scotiabank with a seating capacity of just under 20,000 proves a newly renovated FirstOntario centre would actually be able to compete with Toronto in this respect.

I understand there are some key players in this discussion, but at this point location is becoming less relevent to me, as much as I want it downtown. Downsizing is a terrible idea.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Sports franchises, I'm sure, are proceeding with great caution at the moment. Trends suggest that fans are viewing sport in a different way today than the past - watching on mobile devices; not watching games from start to finish = much less demand for tickets, etc. It's hard to imagine that trend not continuing. Baseball, for example, is strongly considering whittling down its ridiculous 162-game schedule to 154. A small change, it's true, but it's a reflection of their economic situation. And any renovation that is likely to occur at Skydome will assuredly include a significant reduction in seating.

We might also hypothesize that as the demographics of Canada continue to change and as our disposable income continues to shrink, there will be less demand for live sport, particularly hockey (and baseball and NFL/CFL football).

In other words, I have no idea what Hamilton is supposed to do. I suppose if there's true demand for a major sports stadium then the market will sort that out. However, if the City has to shell out tens of millions for something we're not even sure we need, well...

[king10]

Originally Posted by mikevbar1

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldnt a larger arena justify larger events coming to the city? In addition, why should we plan for the present day? the whole point of planning is to look forward. Sure Hamilton isnt growing like Toronto, but at least have a little foresight. Hamilton is growing and this is our opportunity to have a larger arena. Quickly googling other large Arenas like Scotiabank with a seating capacity of just under 20,000 proves a newly renovated FirstOntario centre would actually be able to compete with Toronto in this respect.

I understand there are some key players in this discussion, but at this point location is becoming less relevent to me, as much as I want it downtown. Downsizing is a terrible idea.

By simply building a 20,000 seat arena by no means guarantees a Hamilton Arena could compete with the ACC. There are so many other factors that come into play. But hey if the private sector wants to build one, by all means. The city cant afford it though.