Hamilton’s First Ontario Centre is set to receive a 260-million-euro facelift. Major renovations are planned to turn the arena into a leading entertainment destination with upgraded hospitality sections and a new façade.
Oak View Group (OVG), Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG), and the City of Hamilton announced that they have signed a deal to begin major renovations on FirstOntario Centre, a venue that “will be the centerpiece in revitalizing the city’s position as a premier music, sports and entertainment destination for southwestern Ontario in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area”.
Image: OVG
The 260 million renovation is spearheaded by Oak View Group, one of the largest developers of sports and live entertainment venues in the world, who will transform the facility into an 18,000-seat capacity venue with a reimagined façade, premium seating, enhanced acoustics, improved sightlines, upgraded concourses, optimized clubs and suites and artist lounges. The newly modernized venue will join a rapidly growing southwestern Canadian marketplace with the ability to accommodate larger shows alongside Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. Work will begin in spring 2024, and the building is expected to open in fall 2025.
Live Nation joins OVG as a booking partner committed to bringing concerts and other live events to Hamilton. “Combining Live Nation’s booking of top touring acts with OVG’s focus on the holistic guest experience from premium hospitality offerings to enhanced technology, the new state-of-the-art venue will be even more competitive in attracting top-tier events and, in turn, drive economic impact for the local and regional business community” a statement by OVG claims.
Image: OVG
“Hamilton is already an important entertainment destination in Canada, and the city deserves a state-of-the-art venue that will attract the world’s best events to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,” said Tim Leiweke, OVG Chairman & CEO. “We are committed to delivering a facility that will completely transform the downtown area with its accessibility, technology forward improvements and priority on sustainability. We are confident the Hamilton Arena Project will bring vitality and economic development to Hamilton.”
The Hamilton Arena Project, to be designed by Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects, is part of a larger downtown revitalization project known as “The Commons”, which includes the newly reimagined arena, renovated convention centre, significant investments in the Art Gallery of Hamilton and concert hall facilities, as well as new residential, office, and retail space development.
Image: OVG
“Born and raised in Hamilton, I have many treasured memories in this city’s arena, concert hall and convention centre,” PJ Mercanti, HUPEG president and CEO, said. “I’m honoured to lead our Precinct Group and work alongside OVG Canada and the City of Hamilton. We are deeply committed to this city and its future, and we look forward to driving the changes that will bring a new vibrancy to the downtown core.”
“This exciting redevelopment will create a world-class entertainment destination for the people of Hamilton and the entire region and contribute to the economic and cultural vibrancy of our city, said City of Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “OVG is an international entertainment powerhouse and their investment in Hamilton is a huge vote of confidence in our city. I’m so excited to see this transformation come to life.” FirstOntario Concert Hall and the Hamilton Convention Centre will remain open and continue to host events during the arena’s renovation. (STADIAWORLD, 06.11.2023)
