While you may not notice any difference to its exterior, the company behind the renovations at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre say its on time and on budget.
Renovations at the aging arena began in May of 2024 and are set to wrap in November of 2025.
It’s a $280 million investment that’s expected to completely transform the arena, enhancing its acoustics, improving sightlines and upgrading the concourses.
One advisor behind the project says this could be a “catalyst” for transforming the downtown core.
“We believe that there’s hope and that with dedicated action — not just on the part of the city itself — but on the part of community leaders in the downtown core, that we can make an improvement,” Louis Frapporti, an advisor to Hamilton’s Urban Precinct Entertainment Group said on an episode of Newsmakers.
An update was given to the General Issues Committee at city hall on Wednesday, but the information that was heard is set to remain confidential, despite the fact that a few councillors want to make those details public.
“I think everything about this should be made public,” Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch said.
“I think people should see what is being made with these public dollars, and I’m against keeping this confidential.”
READ MORE: Major renovations to begin at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre
