Hamilton Bulldogs offering $30M toward proposed $72M Mountain arena
Owner Michael Andlauer is speaking to councillors about his pitch this morning.
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9...ountain-arena/
Hamilton Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer is proposing to pay up to $30 million toward the construction of a proposed $72-million OHL arena at Lime Ridge Mall.
The contentious pitch, to be made publicly this morning to Hamilton city councillors, also include a city-built $54-million parking garage at the Mountain mall, with Cadillac Fairview expected to lease the needed land for $1 a year.
Andlauer's presentation, made available ahead of this morning's meeting at city hall, also suggests a partnership with Metrolinx on the parking garage is possible via a related GO Transit park-and-ride.
The hockey team also proposes to take over management of the pitched 6,000-seat arena for 20 years, a move it suggests would eliminate the taxpayer subsidy on the current aging FirstOntario Centre downtown.
The public presentation was requested by council after The Spectator obtained and reported on a copy of a confidential arena pitch that suggested the city share the cost of a Mountain arena — but didn't reveal how much taxpayers would be expected to cough up.
The unsolicited pitch from Andlauer and Cadillac Fairview landed like a bomb amid a separate debate over whether to pursue a private-public redevelopment of all city-owned entertainment facilities downtown.
A city consultant has recommended building a $130-million, 10,000-seat arena and concert facility downtown alongside new private sector, "high-intensity" development and — eventually — a new convention centre.
Council has delayed moving ahead with that recommendation to deal with the surprise Mountain arena proposal.