The New Hamilton Arena

[5 for fighting]

Hamilton would be crazy to go for this. It would require the taxpayers to pay $96 million for an arena with too few seats and a 1800 spot parking garage that would benefit Limeridge mall by giving them more indoor parking. Not to mention that it’s not going to be downtown either.

Take a look at this - https://mobile.twitter.com/JohnPaulD...084928/photo/1

Major concerts brought in almost half of the $2.7 million income in 2018 for the First Ontario Centre and averaged 10,800 people. The Bulldogs on the other hand contributed to a First Ontario loss of almost $100,000 for the regular season.

Hamilton would be far better off to either build a 10,000 seat arena downtown or pay the $27 million to renovate the current arena.

[NiceDawg]

I am predicting bye bye bulldogs.

[three dog night]

Surprise to see it was just six thousand people for the new arena.

[dogged74]

Not only bye-bye, but if the Bulldogs leave, OHL is going to be gone for a long, long time in Hamilton. Clearly, the paying public in Hamilton is saying they don’t want OHL hockey. That’s a lot of time, money and effort sunk into making OHL hockey a viable entertainment option. In my experience, you’re not going to find much better for a night’s entertainment for a reasonable price.

[ckg927]

Bottom line: Hamilton only gives a damn about the Ti-Cats and that's IT.

[strohs]

Originally Posted by three dog night

Surprise to see it was just six thousand people for the new arena.

They wouldn’t even draw six thousand so why make it bigger ?

It would hurt them for concerts I suppose.

I think their crowds would improve on the mountain.

Easier access to the arena at that location, plentiful parking, and let’s be honest, downtown Hamilton, although a big improvement from twenty years ago, is still a cesspool of filth

I too think the Dogs will be gone from Hamilton and the O won’t be back in that city during my lifetime at least




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[Dogs Enthusiast 104]

Originally Posted by strohs

and let’s be honest, downtown Hamilton, although a big improvement from twenty years ago, is still a cesspool of filth

Yes, its not like the current arena is helping revitalize the core of the Hammer like the MC did for St. Catharines.

The move to the mountain will be a huge improvement. Normally, I am dead set against putting arenas in the suburbs. But in this case it actually makes sense.

[5 for fighting]

Originally Posted by strohs

They wouldn’t even draw six thousand so why make it bigger ?

It would hurt them for concerts I suppose.

I think their crowds would improve on the mountain.

Easier access to the arena at that location, plentiful parking, and let’s be honest, downtown Hamilton, although a big improvement from twenty years ago, is still a cesspool of filth

I too think the Dogs will be gone from Hamilton and the O won’t be back in that city during my lifetime at least




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I don’t see the OHL leaving Hamilton and if the current team does another team will move in. The Bulldogs averaged 4100 last season, 7th best in the OHL. It looks like the city will either fix up their current arena at $27 million or build a new 10,000 seat arena. There is no chance a city the size of Hamilton will be without a spectator arena.

Of course the owner of the Bulldogs is pushing for a 6000 seat arena because that is best for him. Smaller arenas mean less ticket supply which increases season ticket holders and allows for more expensive tickets.

But a new arena will not see a massive increase in attendance like other OHL teams have experienced. Other teams went from small, uncomfortable arenas to new spacious arenas. But Hamilton’s current arena is MORE COMFORTABLE than most OHL rinks. The arena’s concourse is at least 3 times wider than at the Meridian Centre. They have a nice large lounge area where bands play at intermission. And every seat is wide and padded which makes them one of the most comfortable seats in the OHL.

The Bulldogs are not playing in an old barn. They are playing in one of the nicest rinks in the OHL. And while it may be large, with the upper level curtained off the capacity is similar to London, Kitchener and Ottawa. Without the upper deck curtained off, the arena has the same capacity as Edmonton’s and Calgary’s OHL team and they seem to draw well.

[Red]

Originally Posted by ckg927

Bottom line: Hamilton only gives a damn about the Ti-Cats and that's IT.

I couldn't agree more. If Hamilton builds anything for hockey you can count on it being a bust.