Hamilton Bulldogs may play in Brantford for 3 years during FirstOntario Centre renovations
Team would be rebranded to the Brantford Bulldogs if Brantford councillors agree to the terms
The Hamilton Bulldogs may wind up playing in Brantford for the next three years and temporarily rebrand as the Brantford Bulldogs while Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre undergoes renovations.
The City of Brantford said councillors will hold a special meeting next Tuesday to consider a proposal to enter into an agreement with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team for it to play at the Brantford Civic Centre.
"I am very excited about the prospect of bringing an OHL team to Brantford," Mayor Kevin Davis said in a media release.
The move to Brantford would start this year and last at least three years, according to the city, adding that discussions about the agreement started in December.
The Bulldogs are the reigning OHL champions. They beat the Windsor Spitfires in Game 7 of the finals at FirstOntario Centre on June 15.
Brantford said that to accommodate the hockey team, the Civic Centre will need $7.5 million in upgrades.
The Bulldogs would pay for the upgrades and the city would provide the team an allowance of up to $3 million for necessary capital improvements.
The team would pay other costs, according to the city.
The city said an internal assessment estimates bringing the Bulldogs to Brantford would have a direct economic impact of $4,337,700 per year and see $297,250 in local wages.
"In addition, the Bulldogs Foundation will commit to working with the City of Brantford to identify and implement Brantford-focused social programs consistent with its main purpose," the city's media release said.
CBC Hamlton has contacted the City of Hamilton and the Bulldogs for comment.
Jasper Kujavsky, a partner with the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group — the group managing the renovations at FirstOntario Centre —previously told CBC Hamilton the repairs should take about 20 months, starting in the late summer or early fall of 2023.
Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer also previously said he was shocked by the news at the time.
With files from Michael To