Brantford City Council lately invited responses for partnerships within the subsequent section of growth for a brand new, downtown sports activities and leisure centre (SEC).

Endorsing the event as a precedence challenge, council acknowledged the essential contribution that the non-public sector could make in realizing the complete potential of the challenge.

As a end result, it launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) course of for Sports Entertainment Centre Business Partnerships.

This could be discovered on the City of Brantford Bids and Tenders online portal in its effort to hunt non-public sector involvement within the growth, financing, operations and administration of the brand new facility.

“This project is not just about a sports and entertainment centre,” says Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “It’s about building a vibrant and thriving community, anchored by the city’s downtown.”

The facility would be the new residence to the Brantford Bulldogs OHL staff, who presently play on the 2,952-seat Brantford and District Civic Centre at 79 Market St. S., the positioning of the proposed new venue.

The staff left their Hamilton residence ice for Brantford in 2023 because of the impending renovations and thus, long-term closure of Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre.

Team proprietor Michael Andlauer welcomes the potential 5,000 seat venue and stated in a information launch, “Brantford has exceeded my expectations. The fans are fantastic and have shown us tremendous support from day one. The warm welcome, and obvious enthusiasm for the Bulldogs has meant a lot to the team and to me personally. I appreciate and support all of the city’s efforts, including their commitment to evaluate the feasibility of a new sports and entertainment centre. I can unequivocally state that if council commits to building this facility, I will commit the Brantford Bulldogs to playing here in Brantford for the long term.”

According to the City of Brantford web site, the event has a “projected total direct economic impact of $7.6 million GDP annually.”

To facilitate elevating capital for the SEC, the chance additionally identifies a sequence of city-owned properties inside shut proximity that town is ready to market as a part of a possible partnership providing or association to 3rd celebration builders or buyers.

These property gross sales will likely be thought of by town and council on a person foundation and can solely be authorised accompanied by a robust case.

The EOI additionally identifies the kind of entities with whom town might associate with to amass the naming rights to the ability, and to amass chosen municipally-owned properties situated within the downtown.

The aim is to safe monetary contributions to help in paying for all or a good portion of the capital prices of the SEC, for which there isn’t any finances up to now.

Brantford City Council has directed workers to start completion of preparatory web site due diligence to grasp and doc potential points related to growing the ability on the Civic Centre web site.

Responses to town’s solicitation of enterprise partnerships are anticipated in early May.

Following an in depth evaluate of the responses, metropolis workers will search course from council on subsequent steps. This might embrace getting into into direct negotiations to safe a helpful enterprise partnership to maneuver ahead. Interested events are inspired to register and submit a response at: Brantford.ca/bids.

A call concerning whether or not or to not formally proceed with the plan is anticipated later this yr.

If authorised, an RFP course of to interact an architectural agency would possible happen in early 2025. 

“We see this initiative as a catalyst for economic growth and community pride. It’s not just about constructing a building and it’s not just about sports and entertainment; it’s about laying the foundation for a vibrant community hub. We welcome the expertise and resources of our private sector partners to create something truly exceptional together,” stated Maria Visocchi, director, of communications, neighborhood engagement and customer support with town.

A call concerning whether or not or to not formally proceed with the challenge is anticipated in late 2024, and if authorised, the brand new facility might break floor as early as 2025 and open in 2027.