City staffers pick new HECFI operators

It looks like we now know who will run Hamilton’s entertainment facilities, because city staff released their final recommendations today.

They say Global Spectrum and Live Nation should run Copps Coliseum and Hamilton Place while Carmen’s should operate the Hamilton Convention Centre.

The city is set to vote on the recommendations this coming Tuesday, but city councillor Sam Merulla says that’s just a formality, and it’s a done deal.

“We’re going to be on the top of the list. As you know Live Nation are professionals in providing the entertainment. We’ve really eliminated the middleman at HECFI and gone right to the source of finding entertainment for the consumer, and more importantly, saving the taxpayer a significant amount of money in doing so.”

The city expects it will save as much as $11 million a year by not subsidizing the venues.

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