Brantford city council votes to move ahead on new downtown arena

Brantford city councillors have voted to move forward with plans to build a new arena on Market Street, scheduled to be built by 2028.

At a special council meeting Tuesday night, discussion between city councilors and Brantford Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer resulted in a decision to move forward with plans to build a new entertainment hub and arena in the city’s lower downtown area.

In a media release Andlauer said, “Tonight’s council decision to move forward with a new sports/entertainment centre confirms that bringing our OHL Bulldogs here was the right decision.”

The release further reads, “We look forward to the next steps to build a new opportunity for the city of Brantford and the community.”

The arena is planned to be built next to the Civic Centre on Market Street South.

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The city expects it to generate $13.2 million in annual economic activity while creating about over a hundred jobs.

The entertainment centre also plans to be the new permanent home for the Brantford – formerly Hamilton – Bulldogs which would attract another estimated $4.8 million annually.

At the meeting Councilor Gino Caputo lauded the plans for the new arena, saying the injection of commerce downtown will improve city growth and the “future of people who want to live here.”

One of the recommended next steps laid out during Tuesday’s meeting includes council authorizing staff to negotiate a ten year lease with the Bulldogs.

The arena plans to house over 5,000 seats and be able host a number of other events including concerts and conferences.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and anticipated to open in 2028. The press release also notes that the project will cost an estimated $140 million to build.

Final approval for the arena will be made at the next council meeting on October 29.

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