“Go Brantford Bulldogs, go!”
Mayor Kevin Davis let out the cheer just before the unanimous vote by city council on Tuesday to begin finalizing an agreement that will bring Ontario Hockey League play back to Brantford – at least temporarily.
With council’s full support, city staff will spend the next three to five weeks hammering out the details of a deal with the Hamilton (now Brantford) Bulldogs to play at the Brantford civic center for at least three years, starting with the 2023-24 season . There is an option to extend the agreement for three additional one-year terms.
“It’s very exciting to see and hear such an overwhelmingly positive reaction from our community to this news,” said Davis. “Even those who don’t closely follow hockey are beaming, not just with enthusiasm, but with community pride.”
The Bulldogs had been looking for an arena to play in while their home arena, FirstOntario Center in Hamilton, is undergoing renovations.
Michael Andlauer, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, with a group of Bulldogs administrators, called it “a wonderful day.”
“We’re hoping to make the city proud,” he said.
Seasons tickets go on sale Wednesday for games that will be played at the 56-year-old civic centre, which will undergo extensive renovations to bring it up to OHL standards.
While the Bulldogs will pay for the estimated $7.5 million in upgrades, the city will give the team a leasehold improvement allowance of up to $3 million for the work. If the Bulldogs decide to leave after three years, they will return the $3 million to the city.
In addition, the city will spend more than $1.6 million to install an HVAC system in the building. The city’s total capital investment will come from its casino legacy reserve.
Renovations to the civic center will begin quickly and include expansion of the dressing rooms, washrooms and concession areas. A new digital scoreboard will be installed and major upgrades will be made to the arena lighting and sound system, and the boards, which are now glass, will be replaced with acrylic panels.
Ron Budulka of KKR Advisors Ltd. was hired by the city in December to facilitate discussions with the Bulldogs. He called the deal, which gives the Bulldogs a place to play and the city a renovated arena paid for by the organization a “beneficial arrangement that doesn’t exist at any other arena in Canada.”
“This is a great deal for the city,” said Budulka.
Brantford hasn’t had an OHL franchise since the Alexanders played out of the civic center from 1978 to 1984. Following the 1983-84 season, the Alexanders moved to Hamilton and became the Steelhawks.
The Bulldogs were purchased by Andlauer, who is also part-owner of the Montreal Canadiens, in 2015 and relocated to Hamilton after 34 years in Belleville, where they were known as the Bulls. The Bulldogs won OHL championships in 2018 and 2022.
One of the terms of the city’s agreement with the Bulldogs is that Brantford “agrees to consider the development of a new sports and entertainment facility with a capacity of 5,000 spectators and the capability to host major junior hockey.”
“I want you to stay longer,” Coun. Gino Caputo told Andlauer.
While Andlauer said he’s unable to say how long his team will remain in Brantford, he believes the city is “deserving of an OHL franchise.”
“The landscape has changed in 40 years,” he said. “The economic climate is much different. I really believe that OHL belongs in Brantford and I think you’ve teamed up with the right team, the right ownership, the right passion that will bring not only winning hockey but keep it sustainable for years to come.
“While I can’t tell you what happens, the reality is that I will do everything in my power to make sure that if it’s not this franchise, that an OHL team is here.”
In addition to being a psychological boost to Brantford, city staff say the Bulldogs games will bring in an estimated $4.3 million a year in economic spinoffs, including visiting team overnight stays and fans stopping at local restaurants and bars or spending time at the neighboring Elements Casino .
The Bulldogs also are committed to working with local minor hockey teams and to supporting local charities through its foundation.
“We’re so happy you recognized us,” Coun. Richard Carpenter told Andlauer. “Brantford has always been a hockey town. “People are waiting to buy tickets with bated breath. I can’t overstate how excited they are.”