While the $280-million renovation of Hamilton’s TD Coliseum, formerly the FirstOntario Centre, has dominated the headlines recently, a lesser-known renovation has also begun mere metres away.
The Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG) and Carmen’s Group are advancing a $10 million renovation of the Hamilton Convention Centre located at Summers Lane in downtown.
Some interior renovations have already begun, and the venue, which hosts events like conventions, conferences, meetings, trade shows, fundraisers, and gala dinners, recently received building permits that allow the more substantial renovations to begin.
The aim is for the project to be complete by February 2026, just in time for the venue to be involved in Hamilton’s hosting of the 55th annual JUNO Music Awards from March 26-29.
Renovations at the 80,000-square-foot venue will be staggered to allow existing events, such as the YMCA Peace Medal Breakfast, Good Shepherd Winter Wonderland, and YWCA Women of Distinction Gala to go ahead as planned.
HUPEG President PJ Mercanti, who is also the CEO of Carmen’s Group, says, “A floor-to-ceiling modernization [of the Hamilton Convention Centre] with new facility features will support Hamilton’s ability to secure more regional, provincial and national conventions that will occupy hotel rooms and fill restaurant tables in the downtown core and across the entire city.”
The renovations include a number of new features.
The front lobby entrance will be changed to allow more natural light into the building, with new flooring, wall accessories, and “ceiling investments” set to create “a new visual experience for guests.”
Construction work also involves the addition of approximately 7,500 square feet of new event space within the convention centre.
A new rooftop garden will be installed to grow herbs, spices, and vegetables.
The goal is for the space to be a community garden in partnership with the City of Hamilton to allow for “food access to groups in need.”
The convention centre culinary team is working with Carmen’s Group Director of Culinary, Derek Easton, on that project.
HUPEG is also exploring whether a rooftop beehive can be added, which would allow for honey production on-site.
A new public wine and coffee bar, with frontage on Summers Lane, will open up, with the space set to be accessible regardless of any events taking place.
To implement another new feature, HUPEG is working with Cable 14 on a “Speakers’ Corner-inspired partnership” at the corner of King Street, which has the goal of engaging the community regarding civic issues.
HUPEG is also partnering with Hamilton Community Enterprises and Nerva Energy on the installation of new HVAC units, which will reportedly reduce the venue’s carbon footprint by 50 per cent.
The general contractor of the project is BDN Contracting, construction financing is being provided by BDC and RBC, and HUPEG says that all procurement “will be with local suppliers and trades.”
The convention centre will also reportedly be renamed, with a new naming rights partner to be announced later this year.
It should be noted that the renovation is privately funded.
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.
