The renovation is part of a new half-century deal between the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG): a consortium made up of Carmen’s Group, Mercanti Family and Associates, LiUNA, Meridian Credit Union, and Paletta Group. The agreement will reportedly save taxpayers an estimated $155 million over 30 years. Photo credit: City of Hamilton
The FirstOntario Centre, home of the Hamilton Bulldogs, is undergoing a massive renovation beginning late spring 2023.
The decision to move ahead with the renovation was made back in June 2021, but with the Hamilton Bulldogs’ recent OHL Finals victory held in the stadium just days ago, the arena is back at the forefront of people’s minds. Here’s what the renovations entail:
Exterior and Street-Level Changes
The FirstOntario Centre will get an entirely new exterior look complete with a state-of-the-art outdoor video board. At street level along York Boulevard and Bay Street, the arena will have a year-round sports lounge, e-sports zone, and restaurants.
Interior Seating and Concourse
The seating capacity will remain more or less the same at 17,500 people, but the lower bowl will be transformed to have better sightlines and more comfortable seats. The upper bowl will also be renovated and a retractable curtaining system will be installed to block off the upper bowl when not in use.
An improved jumbotron will be installed, there will be an expanded concourse with a microbrewery, and the lower bowl will be changed to include suites and hospitality clubs.
The Agreement
The agreement for all of these upgrades to take place is part of a 49-year deal between the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG). HUPEG is a consortium made up of Carmen’s Group, Mercanti Family and Associates, LiUNA, Meridian Credit Union, and Paletta Group. The agreement will reportedly save taxpayers an estimated $155 million over 30 years.
HUPEG will take over all operations and maintenance of the FirstOntario Centre, the FirstOntario Concert Hall, and the Hamilton Convention Centre. Oak View Group (OVG), a global sports and entertainment company co-founded by former Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke is also involved in the plans.
As far as renovations are concerned, the agreement also includes $50 million of arena upgrades paid for by HUPEG.
Three major teams currently play out of the FirstOntario Centre: the Hamilton Bulldogs (Ontario Hockey League), Hamilton Honey Badgers (Canadian Elite Basketball League), and the Toronto Rock (National Lacrosse League). All three will have to find a temporary home at some point during renovations, likely in mid-2023. The renovations will take approximately two years.
The plan also includes $500 million in auxiliary mixed-use development which will include condos, of which 5 per cent will include affordable housing in one of the buildings. HUPEG has already taken over operations and maintenance of the FirstOntario Centre and two other venues as of April 1, 2022. The City of Hamilton retains ownership of the land and facilities.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger previously stated that the renovations “will bring economic stimulus, additional development opportunities, and ultimately reduce cost for taxpayers.”
The idea for a revival of the three facilities was originally brought forward by Ward 4 City Councillor Sam Merulla.
Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Kevin Geenen reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He is a regular contributor with The Hamilton Independent and has also been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, Niagara Independent, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. He is known for Hamilton crime updates and social media news graphics. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal from Governor General David Johnston. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
