A new proposal for FirstOntario Centre
A sustainable hockey facility could be augmented by world-class velodrome
Much has been written lately of FirstOntario 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 FirstOntario 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 FirstOntario 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 FirstOntario 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.
With this velodrome, and a very successful World Road Cycling Championships under our belt, there should be no problem for Hamilton to win the bid for a World Junior Track Cycling Championships. Expenses for this could be covered by a regional tourism grant, and the experience for local residents and the publicity worldwide for the city would be terrific.
Above the hockey rink and velodrome, other floors at the redesigned FirstOntario Centre could feature indoor soccer, football, ultimate
Frisbee, even lawn bowling. These sports and more are already successful at Hamilton’s Soccer World.
I acknowledge that to repurpose this facility is a costly affair. However, it is pointless to go on pretending that we will ever have an NHL team here in Hamilton. As well, we are now beginning to face the reality of an aging facility. Maintenance and repair costs will only get worse. To renovate the FirstOntario Centre similar to the makeover at Maple Leaf Gardens would create a rational use of the building and would be an investment in the city’s future for years to come.
Here, in Norfolk County, we face the same problems with aging infrastructure for sport facilities. The funding formula we are looking at here is a new fund that is eligible for sport and recreation facilities (see: Rec hub back on the rails, Simcoe Reformer, April 11). It features a 40 per cent contribution from the federal government and a one-third contribution from the province. This would leave a 27 per cent share for the City of Hamilton. With this funding available, I believe there could be no better time to make the decision to repurpose the FirstOntario Centre. This is doubly so when you consider Michael Andlauer’s offer to contribute half the cost for the hockey arena component.
If the FirstOntario Centre renovation went ahead, I’m assuming there would have to be an adjustment of the naming rights agreement. Obviously, this would be a newer, more modern, more diverse facility and any naming rights agreement would have to reflect that.
Perhaps the existing agreement with FirstOntario Credit Union could be renegotiated, or a settlement could be made and an agreement signed with a new corporate sponsor.
Brisbin Brook Beynon (BBB Architects Toronto Inc.) are not only the firm that created the Maple Leaf Gardens makeover, but also are the architects who recently produced the study for FirstOntario Centre outlining the costs of upgrading the facility to modern NHL standards. Consequently, they know FirstOntario Centre very well and would be eminently qualified to provide a preliminary feasibility study for a FirstOntario Centre renovation/ makeover.
I hope these ideas resonate and that this proposal is a catalyst for further discussion of the future of FirstOntario Centre.
Charles Bonnaffon is a former bike racer and has served on the executive of the Hamilton Cycling Club. He lives in Waterford.