Long-standing Ontario concert venue undergoing huge renovation

New seats, new restaurants, premium suites that might be the first of their kind in North America and enhanced listening experiences are in store for Hamilton–and southern Ontario–residents who frequent one of the province’s best-known stadiums.

Anyone who has walked by the Hamilton Arena/FirstOntario Centre on York Boulevard in Steeltown knows that the massive arena, once known as Copps Coliseum, has been undergoing a significant refresh since late last spring. What many might not know is that the plan isn’t just to create a destination that appeals to local entertainment enthusiasts but to make all of southern Ontario even more of a hub for music, sports, and entertainment. 

“We had people walk in and have no idea where they were, just from the transformation,” Nick DeLuco, senior vice-president with the Oak View Group and general manager of the new Hamilton Arena, tells INsauga.com. 

DeLuco says that while the outside of the arena won’t change much, the interior will be quite different from the one fans have known since the venue first opened its doors in 1985. 

“There’s a whole new concourse that was hidden in the past, so accessibility and flow are different. There will be new restaurants, lounges, premium spaces that never existed before, and premium-level suites that have never been seen before.” 

OVG, an international company that calls itself the largest developer of sports and live entertainment venues in the world, is overseeing the $290 million renovation that, once complete, aims to transform the spacious arena–which can accommodate up to 18,000 people–into a more modern (and even luxurious) venue. 

Rendering of a premium floor suite

Not new to the city, OVG also manages other local venues, including The Studio and the FirstOntario Concert Hall. 

Last year, OVG first announced plans to significantly rejuvenate the arena (which will soon sport a yet-to-be-announced name) by adding premium seating, clubs, lounges and suites, enhancing the acoustics and launching new restaurants and food concepts.  

Designed by Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects and constructed by EllisDon, the new arena will feature an artist compound, transformed concourse areas, concessions on every level and more. 

Artist bookings will be handled in conjunction with entertainment company LiveNation. 

DeLuco says one major change that will set the arena apart from other event spaces will be the inclusion of premium suites located on the floor rather than at higher levels. These suites will allow attendees to see the concert or sporting event up close from the comfort of their suites.

Club space

“These will be in the lower bowl facing out,” he explains. “We’ll be one of the only venues in North America that is doing this, so Hamilton will get something no one else has seen.”

The facelift will also impact other parts of the facility, including the elevators, concession stands and washrooms. 

“We’ve added more opportunities for food, so there will be more access to food and washrooms,” DeLuco says, adding that guests will be able to visit concession stands and washrooms on all levels of the rejuvenated arena instead of just one. 

As far as food goes, he says attendees will be able to choose from a mix of quick-service concession stands and restaurants and that a full-service, sit-down restaurant is also in the works. 

“There was never a full-service restaurant before,” he says, adding that the specific restaurants slated to move into the venue will be announced at a later date. 

OVG said the arena will offer visitors an entirely new experience and provide additional perks to visiting artists and entertainers.

Last year, the company said additional upgrades to the venue’s back of house include specially designed artist lounges, upgraded production facilities, electrical and lighting upgrades, as well as updates to the arena’s telecommunications infrastructure, wireless network, and video/network/security systems.

OVG also said artists will be able to access multiple production and media rooms for meet-and-greets. 

That said, the goal isn’t to lure entertainers away from Toronto, but rather to give fans and performers more options.

“There are 10 million people in the arena’s catchment area, so this venue in Hamilton will be part of that puzzle. Anything that plays at the Scotiabank Arena can also play in Hamilton,” he says, adding that the new arena has an advantage in the sense that it won’t be permanently occupied by an NHL or NBA team. 

“It can be competitive and it can be complimentary. The Raptors and Leafs occupy a lot of time [in Toronto], so we’re happy to bring people to Hamilton for a show or experience.” 

DeLuco says that once construction is complete, the venue is anticipated to host more than 120 events a year. 

While the arena rebuild is a massive enough project, it’s part and parcel of a greater plan to breathe new life into Hamilton. The project is part of a larger downtown revitalization project known as “The Commons,” which includes the arena, a renovated convention centre, more investment in the Art Gallery of Hamilton and concert hall facilities and new residential, office, and retail space development. 

OVG said that once complete, the project will elevate the city’s profile. 

“We’ve been a long-standing partner of the City of Hamilton through our management of the arena, generating considerable momentum to where we are today and are now positioned to deliver to the people of Hamilton a truly world-class, live entertainment facility,” Tim Leiweke, chairman & CEO of Oak View Group, said in a statement emailed to INsauga.com. 

“Upon completion of this truly transformative investment, the Hamilton Arena will generate substantial economic velocity and serve as a catalyst to the downtown core via the hosting of premier touring acts, family shows, and all types of sporting events.” 

Ultimately, he sees the overhaul as an investment in a city with room to grow. 

“We’re investors in this market for the long haul and are thrilled at the prospect of replicating the success of our other owned and operated facilities in Hamilton, as this is what we do. We are facility owners and operators every day, focused on driving event volume and activity for the city and its people. We have great partners helping us bring this project fully to life and are already looking and planning ahead to the arena’s re-opening.”

As for the reopening–slated for later this year–a big act is already expected to perform at the arena.

On Dec. 9, well-known Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will take to the stage as part of his upcoming North American tour. The stop will mark his first ever in Hamilton. 

Ultimately, DeLuco says the feeling around the renovation is excitement. 

“We believe in the city, we believe in the venue. It was underutilized but it has great bones and great structure. There’s an opportunity to create something special that’ll be part of the revitalization project for the city and the region,” he says.

“Everyone is excited. When people go inside…they see it’s transformational. We can’t wait to open and get people in and get them to experience everything we’ve done in the venue and see world-class entertainment.”

– All images courtesy of Oak View Group