Renovations at FirstOntario Centre set to begin as scheduled in early 2024

The group responsible for the renovations at FirstOntario Centre – along with the neighbouring FirstOntario Concert Hall and Hamilton Convention Centre – provided a long-awaited update to city council on Wednesday.

PJ Mercanti, president of the Hamilton Urban Precinct Arts and Entertainment Group (HUPEG) provided councillors with his latest vision for the more than $100 million project.

The update comes less than a week after the Toronto Rock lacrosse team announced they would be playing their entire season at FirstOntario Centre, and not just the first few games as originally planned.

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

“The investment into public assets will be greatly improved and once the renovations are completed, Canada’s ninth largest city will have a new arena that will be home to major music events and sporting events for the next generation of Hamiltonians to enjoy,” Mercanti said in front of council.

Mercanti– who also serves as CEO of Carmen’s Group – was joined by Oak View Group Canada President Tom Pistore before city council’s general issues committee, as well as the owner of Trio Capital Group, Lou Frapporti – both partners with HUPEG.

Pistore told council that work at the arena will be able to begin as scheduled in early 2024, even while the Rock’s season is on-going, and set a tentative timeline for the construction to be done.

“Once the lacrosse season is done, we will progress with the rest of the shutdown and plan to reopen in October 2025”, Pistore said.

Pistore says once completed, the new arena will be able to accommodate up to 19,000 people, as well as feature 19 suites and two levels of premium seating.

READ MORE: Details of FirstOntario Centre revitalization revealed

Speaking to CHCH News after the meeting, Mercanti says he understands the frustration from the public and that this group could have started the project quicker but wanted to make sure they had the right partnerships on board.

“We thank the community for their patience, it’s been a trek. There’s an adage that if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far, go together. And we know that by working with the Oak View Group and the City on this deal, we will be able to go further together,” Mercanti told CHCH News.

Meanwhile, this will be Oak View Group’s first major project in Canada and Pistore says considering the population of the Greater Horseshoe with the expected size of the facility, they’ll be able to bring bigger shows than ever before to the facility.

“The size of the market, the appetite of the market, if you look at New York, if you look at LA, they’re four venues plus in those markets. At 19,000 we will be the second and we will work with all of our touring partners, all of our arena partners, and it’s going to be a great project,” Pistore said.

Pistore said the upgraded facility could even one day host a long-desired NHL team.

Mercanti says he’s hopeful for public houses to be held in October to showcase the rest of the plans to the public.