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Brantford Bulldogs look to long-term as city approves $140M arena

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When the Bulldogs OHL franchise re-located to Brantford in, the plan was to have the team stay in the city for at least three seasons.

However, a decision made by Brantford city council on Tuesday to approve a $140 million arena project will now keep the hockey team in the city for the long-term.

“This is one of the largest projects that our council, any council in the last several decades has approved, and it was unanimous,” Mayor Kevin Davis said. “We all realize the transformative nature of this project not just for the bulldogs, but for the area creating a sports and entertainment centre.”

Michael Andlauer, the teams owner said he’s looking forward to what’s next. “Tonight’s council decision to move forward with a new sports entertainment centre confirms that bringing our OHL Bulldogs here was the right decision.”

READ MORE: Brantford city council votes to move ahead on new downtown arena

The $140 million arena is just one part of a much larger multi-billion dollar project for the the Brantford Entertainment District.

The $1.5 billion re-development of the Freshco Plaza on Market Street by Canadian Properties Group will completely change the way the area looks and feels in a few years time.

“There’ll be a number of towers and additional retail space developed by the owner of that property,” John Sless, a local councillor said. “2,600 residential units going in. It will become a complete community.”

Sless says when finished, the new plaza would generate over $9 million annually in property taxes, and that money will be use to pay for the new arena.