TD Coliseum | ? | 4 fl | Under Construction

[thistleclub]

Years to move on new Hamilton arena too long: Bulldogs owner
(Hamilton Spectator, Scott Radley, Feb 2 2018)

A recent comment by Mayor Fred Eisenberger that it could take years for the city to decide what to do with FirstOntario Centre has prompted the owner of the Hamilton Bulldogs to say that's far too protracted a time frame and the pace has to be accelerated.

Eisenberger was on 900CHML with Bill Kelly the other day when he was asked for an update on what's going on with the aging, 33-year-old arena. This question was in response to Michael Andlauer's offer of a few months ago to put millions of his own dollars toward a new, smaller facility somewhere in town.

The mayor said a process is now underway to figure out what to do with the arena as well as the city's other entertainment facilities.


"That's going to take a few years," Eisenberger said. "Getting into an arena issue with the costs that are associated with that is going to be a complex issue and it's going to take some time for us to sort out what's the best path to go forward here."

On Thursday, he said his answer was a best guess based on past examples and it might just take a couple years. Perhaps less. But considering some issues — he cited Pier 7 and 8 — have taken 20 years to resolve, it won't happen instantly.

"That's not something that happens in a couple of months," Eisenberger said.

Andlauer says he wasn't surprised at this because the city doesn't make quick changes. As a result, he knows it can't happen overnight. And he says he wants to be fair and give the city enough room to deal with the issue properly. But a few years, he says, will probably become more than a few years.

"By that time, they'll have spent millions of dollars just to keep the roof on," Andlauer says. "They're going to waste taxpayers' money in fixing the facility rather than going out there and getting something new."

....

"We can't wait five years," Andlauer said. "People are going to lose interest."

Ideally, he would like to be in a new facility within three years. Which means a crawling pace toward a decision isn't acceptable to him.


Read it in full here.

[LRTfan]

would LOVE to see very high density residentiall towers added to these sites with commercial at ground floor connecting to the streets and connecting to the facilities directly.
Add a few thousand new condo units with street patios/retail along with renovated facilities and there would be a much better future for our entertainment facilities. A brand new convention centre, way larger than our current one is sorely needed too.

[SteelTown]

K-Pop, it's gotten popular lately with the younger generation. It's like Milli Vanilli meets 90s boy bands with Asian fusion lol.

[DDP]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

K-Pop, it's gotten popular lately with the younger generation. It's like Milli Vanilli meets 90s boy bands with Asian fusion lol.

There is a large Bollywood show coming to copps as well in July, some big Bollywood stars are coming so should sell well. It also is not cheap, floor seats being $350, and most of the lower bowl seats are 200plus.

Cirque is doing a week in June.

Many other concerts all summer, Tim Mcgraw, Shania Twain, Judas Priest. So some quality and variety coming through for a wide segment of people, and should be able to attract people from across the region. For something like K pop and Bollywood you would think the bulk of people would be coming from the GTA proper.

[interr0bangr]

The only show I've ever seen at Copps was Nine Inch Nails like a decade ago. I lived in downtown Toronto at the time and borrowed a car to make the trek over.

[davidcappi]

I have absolutely no doubt that show will sell out. They're huge right now.

[King&James]

Originally Posted by davidcappi

I have absolutely no doubt that show will sell out. They're huge right now.

This is why we need an 18,000 seat venue! Long live Copps!

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by King&James

This is why we need an 18,000 seat venue! Long live Copps!

Exactly!

There's a legit complaint that FOC is too big for OHL (and AHL before it) but it's damn convenient to have that capacity available for major concerts and events.

Given the Bulldogs' run this spring it's a shame that the Memorial Cup powers-that-be were so dismissive too.

[King&James]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Exactly!

There's a legit complaint that FOC is too big for OHL (and AHL before it) but it's damn convenient to have that capacity available for major concerts and events.

Given the Bulldogs' run this spring it's a shame that the Memorial Cup powers-that-be were so dismissive too.

Seroiusly, ACC or Scotia Arena too booked (Raptors leafs other conf), FOC needs to accelerate as a large concent venue and with decent rail service, no reason why it could not be lit for may nights through year. Saw McCartney there , and was great, easy sell outs for the 4MM or so within 1 hour drive . Just have to be aggresive .

I know zero about kpop - but 3 nights , wow, and a select global tour with pretty much every city with a recognizable name... good on FOC!

[drpgq]

Ironic that First Ontario is getting a good run of shows and then this comes out in the Spec:

A new proposal for Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre
A smaller, sustainable hockey facility could be augmented by world-class indoor cycling potential

https://www.thespec.com/opinion-stor...ntario-centre/

Much has been written lately of First Ontario Centre regarding maintenance, possible upgrades and its ultimate fate. There has even been a suggestion that the arena, convention centre and performing arts centre be handed over to the private sector for redevelopment. As well, in all of this we have the generous offer of Bulldog owner Michael Andlauer to pay for half of a new arena.

I believe we need a new vision for First Ontario Centre — one that would feature continued public ownership, but with a complete repurposing of the facility. The same sort of makeover that was accomplished for Maple Leaf Gardens should be applied to First Ontario Centre. In the renovations the original structure of Maple Leaf Gardens was kept but the hockey rink was scaled down and several levels were added to the building where the extra seats had been. On these extra floors Ryerson University has installed its athletics department complete with gym, fitness centre, sport venues and classrooms.

What I am suggesting for First Ontario Centre is a modern, more intimate arena, perhaps 5,400 fixed seats. This would be on the ground level. Above this, on the next floor, would be a 250 metre, Olympic-size velodrome with 2,000 — 3,000 fixed seats. National Cycling Centre Hamilton (NCCH) is a 2003 world cycling championships legacy organization. NCCH would be a major tenant for this track.

[king10]

Does the writer know we built a world class veledrome in milton?

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by king10

Does the writer know we built a world class veledrome in milton?

And does he realize we hold events that require 10,000-18,000 seats?

The article is basically "Toronto did this and it worked for them - we should do it too"... ignoring the fact that Toronto has other venues for larger scale concerts/events.
The arena was never just about the NHL.

[king10]

Originally Posted by Berklon

And does he realize we hold events that require 10,000-18,000 seats?

The article is basically "Toronto did this and it worked for them - we should do it too"... ignoring the fact that Toronto has other venues for larger scale concerts/events.
The arena was never just about the NHL.

Ya. That was a poorly written article. If he wants a veledrome, lawn bowling facility, 5000 seat arena etc. It would make more financial sense to sell the land the arena is on and build those faciltiies from scratch elsewhere rather than do a frankenstein retrofit of FOC.

[NortheastWind]

I welcome anything that brings people into the city, including competitive sports, but if we are going to re-purpose First Ontario Centre it needs to be for the masses not a select few.

[BCTed]

That article was not stellar.

Hamilton makes decent use out of Copps and its size. Kevin Hart just played a sold-out show in late April. The Stars on Ice will play to a sold-out audience this weekend. Tickets for three shows for the K-pop band BTS will pretty much certainly sell out when they go on sale next week. The only other cities currently lined up for that tour are Seoul, LA, Oakland, Fort Worth, Newark Chicago, London, Amerstdam, Berlin, Paris. Pretty cool that Hamilton is in such company.

[NortheastWind]

I drive by FOC every day on the way home from work and the building is looking pretty tired. Hopefully a plan is in the works.

[SteelTown]

Carmen’s teams up with L.A. powerhouse in venues bid
Carmen’s-led consortium to pitch entertainment ‘Precinct Plan’

https://www.thespec.com/opinion-stor...in-venues-bid/

The Carmen's Group is upping the ante in its bid to manage the three city-owned downtown entertainment facilities formerly known as HECFI.

The Hamilton hospitality company has notified the city that its proposal to operate and potentially redevelop the aging arena, concert hall and convention centre now includes working with the Oak View Group (OVG), a heavyweight Los Angeles-based venue management, event booking and development company.

In a letter to the mayor and city councillors, Carmen's CEO PJ Mercanti flags OVG's participation in an offer from a Carmen's-led consortium to provide greater financial savings to the city and a forthcoming unsolicited offer to create a "Precinct Plan" for the "next generation" of sports, entertainment and convention facilities in the core.


"The fact that OVG is attracted to the vision that the local group is presenting and want to be a part of that speaks to what we're trying to bring to the table," Mercanti said in an interview.

OVG was founded in 2015 by Tim Leiweke, former president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and Irving Azoff, former chair and CEO of Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment.

Its executive team includes Peter Luukko, executive chair of the NHL Flordia Panthers and former CEO of Spectra, the company currently contracted by the city to run FirstOntario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum) and FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place).

OVG was recently selected to build a new home for the NHL New York Islanders and is spearheading the $600-million renovation of the KeyArena in Seattle. This is its first prospective management foray into Canada.

Mercanti's letter follows one in February in which Carmen's first pitched taking over operations of the city venues in partnership with Scott Warren, former general manger of FirstOntario Centre and FirstOntario Concert Hall. Warren ran both venues on behalf of Spectra before leaving the company last December.

Spectra's five-year management contract with the city expires at the end of 2018.

Carmen's already operates the convention centre. Its contract also expires at the end of the year.

While Spectra is talking to the city about the possibility of a new contract obviously Carmen's is hoping to displace and replace the company as arena and concert hall manager.

In response to Carmen's first letter, council directed staff to explore broader private sector interest in managing and redeveloping the venues. Staff have yet to report back on options, but Mercanti says Carmen's will participate in any process council chooses.

Mercanti declines to say how Carmen's proposes to find more savings for the city but clearly he's hinting at the possibility of reducing if not eliminating the city's operating subsidies for the venues.

Carmen's got rid of its operating subsidies for the convention centre this year. Spectra receives about $1.4 million. Both companies have saved taxpayers millions of dollars since taking over from HECFI.

OVG reportedly reached out to Scott Warren after learning about his partnership with Carmen's via a Hamilton Spectator article. That led to company reps touring the city and nailing down an agreement.

Warren, who knows some of the OVG players from his time at Spectra, says the company brings a lot of muscle to the table. "They have this huge wealth of industry knowledge and clout."

Doug Higgons, OVG senior vice-president of facilities, says his company is "very bullish and excited" about the future of Hamilton after spending several months studying the market and its potential opportunities.

"We were looking for the right opportunity for the proper entrance into Canada and Hamilton fits that specifically," Higgons said.

Higgons says OVG, if given a chance, is specifically interested in working with the Carmen's consortium on the entertainment venues.

That consortium includes billionaire Ron Joyce, FirstOntario Credit Union, LiUNA and Fengate Capital.

They first came together with Carmen's to fund a consulting report on options for overhauling the 33-year-old arena, a study stickhandled by lawyer and consultant Jasper Kujavsky, who is now advising the group.

Kujavsky is especially keen on Carmen's idea for a comprehensive precinct plan.

For his part, Mercanti says it's premature to go into details but he hopes to bring a proposal shortly to council for exploring a sport-entertainment-commercial precinct in the core which could harmonize with a potential bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

[Sehnsucht]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Carmen’s teams up with L.A. powerhouse in venues bid
Carmen’s-led consortium to pitch entertainment ‘Precinct Plan’

https://www.thespec.com/opinion-stor...in-venues-bid/

The Carmen's Group is upping the ante in its bid to manage the three city-owned downtown entertainment facilities formerly known as HECFI.

The Hamilton hospitality company has notified the city that its proposal to operate and potentially redevelop the aging arena, concert hall and convention centre now includes working with the Oak View Group (OVG), a heavyweight Los Angeles-based venue management, event booking and development company.


In a letter to the mayor and city councillors, Carmen's CEO PJ Mercanti flags OVG's participation in an offer from a Carmen's-led consortium to provide greater financial savings to the city and a forthcoming unsolicited offer to create a "Precinct Plan" for the "next generation" of sports, entertainment and convention facilities in the core.


"The fact that OVG is attracted to the vision that the local group is presenting and want to be a part of that speaks to what we're trying to bring to the table," Mercanti said in an interview.

OVG was founded in 2015 by Tim Leiweke, former president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and Irving Azoff, former chair and CEO of Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment.

Its executive team includes Peter Luukko, executive chair of the NHL Flordia Panthers and former CEO of Spectra, the company currently contracted by the city to run FirstOntario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum) and FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place).

OVG was recently selected to build a new home for the NHL New York Islanders and is spearheading the $600-million renovation of the KeyArena in Seattle. This is its first prospective management foray into Canada.

Mercanti's letter follows one in February in which Carmen's first pitched taking over operations of the city venues in partnership with Scott Warren, former general manger of FirstOntario Centre and FirstOntario Concert Hall. Warren ran both venues on behalf of Spectra before leaving the company last December.

Spectra's five-year management contract with the city expires at the end of 2018.

Carmen's already operates the convention centre. Its contract also expires at the end of the year.

While Spectra is talking to the city about the possibility of a new contract obviously Carmen's is hoping to displace and replace the company as arena and concert hall manager.

In response to Carmen's first letter, council directed staff to explore broader private sector interest in managing and redeveloping the venues. Staff have yet to report back on options, but Mercanti says Carmen's will participate in any process council chooses.

Mercanti declines to say how Carmen's proposes to find more savings for the city but clearly he's hinting at the possibility of reducing if not eliminating the city's operating subsidies for the venues.

Carmen's got rid of its operating subsidies for the convention centre this year. Spectra receives about $1.4 million. Both companies have saved taxpayers millions of dollars since taking over from HECFI.

OVG reportedly reached out to Scott Warren after learning about his partnership with Carmen's via a Hamilton Spectator article. That led to company reps touring the city and nailing down an agreement.

Warren, who knows some of the OVG players from his time at Spectra, says the company brings a lot of muscle to the table. "They have this huge wealth of industry knowledge and clout."

Doug Higgons, OVG senior vice-president of facilities, says his company is "very bullish and excited" about the future of Hamilton after spending several months studying the market and its potential opportunities.

"We were looking for the right opportunity for the proper entrance into Canada and Hamilton fits that specifically," Higgons said.

Higgons says OVG, if given a chance, is specifically interested in working with the Carmen's consortium on the entertainment venues.

That consortium includes billionaire Ron Joyce, FirstOntario Credit Union, LiUNA and Fengate Capital.

They first came together with Carmen's to fund a consulting report on options for overhauling the 33-year-old arena, a study stickhandled by lawyer and consultant Jasper Kujavsky, who is now advising the group.

Kujavsky is especially keen on Carmen's idea for a comprehensive precinct plan.

For his part, Mercanti says it's premature to go into details but he hopes to bring a proposal shortly to council for exploring a sport-entertainment-commercial precinct in the core which could harmonize with a potential bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

I would be thrilled about this as long as (a) they razed FOC, built a new NHL-sanctioned arena and (b) ensured great mixed-use development in the new 'precinct.'

Recalls what Pittsburgh did, and it has been a monumental success.

Hamilton Place is beyond beat: it needs to go down to the studs but preserve the acoustics of the hall. All glass along Main and King.

Then you'd have a great entertainment district that's close to Hess. And then restos and other amenities would spring up around to meet the demand of the throngs.

It would not surprise me at all if this consortium were making an early play at bringing in an NHL franchise, and to be honest I think they could get one: they have a serious pedigree, lots of cash, and this market is enormous--could easily float a pro team.

[TheRitsman]

I really don't get the obsession with moving the rink out of the downtown. ACC is only as successful as it is and such a great venue because it's right in the centre of the downtown and close to transit. Hamilton has one spot that is great at transit and that's downtown.

[king10]

Nhl caliber arena would cost over $500M. City doesn’t have money for that. Would have to be some significant private dollars or senior government funding tied to the commonwealth games.

This new consortium sounds promisng though. Good to get the talks started.

And yes, I too feel the rink should stay in the downtown vicinity. Unlike an outdoor stadium, an arena gets much more use for hockey, concerts, trade shows, ice shows etc. So there is less of a worry that it becomes a deadzone when not being used.