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FirstOntario Centre reno timeline in question as Toronto Rock stays there for next season

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A “soon-to-be announced shift” in the timeline of renovations at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre will allow the Toronto Rock to play the entire upcoming season at the venue.

The lacrosse team first made the move to Hamilton in 2021 to accommodate pandemic layoffs, signing a 5-year agreement to hold games at the downtown convention centre.

With renovations planned to begin in December of this year, the 2023-24 season was expected to be played at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga.

The change means the temporary move to Mississauga will come in the 2024-25 season, with the team returning to Hamilton once renovations are completed.

WATCH MORE: Details of FirstOntario Centre revitalization revealed

With the National Lacrosse League season beginning in December, it is unclear at this time when the long-awaited renovations at FirstOntario will begin.

The City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG) first released plans for the overhaul of the concert hall and convention centre in June following months of secrecy around the project.

The City and the consortium that was tasked to overhaul the FirstOntario Centre, FirstOntario Concert Hall and Convention Centre first signed a rent agreement two years ago that stated $1 per year over 49 years be invested into the project.

The deal also included HUPEG acquiring two nearby parking lots and a property on York Boulevard slated for residential towers within the next five years.

READ MORE: FirstOntario Centre renovation postponed for Grey Cup

Renovations were intended to begin this Sunday up until a push was announced in March to allow for Grey Cup events to be held at the venue in November.

With a long-term closure anticipated, two Hamilton teams made the decision to relocate for the impending renovations.

The OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs headed to Brantford until upgrades are completed and the Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League made the permanent move to Brampton.

There has been no word yet from the City or HUPEG on when renovations can be expected to begin.

WATCH MORE: Bulldogs plays final game at FirstOntario Centre Monday

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