Brantford Sports and Entertainment Centre

Based on cost projections of other recently built facilities, the cost of the SEC is estimated, in 2026, to cost in the range of $115 million to $140 million ($25,000 to $27,500 per seat). While the two most recently completed projects (in Gatineau, QC, which opened in 2021 and cost $102 million / $25,500 per seat, for a facility that included a 4,000-seat spectator arena and three adjoining community ice pads, and in Trois Rivieres, QC, which opened in 2020 and cost $60.6 million / $13,500 per seat for a 4,500-seat spectator arena and adjoining community ice pad), are at or are well below this cost range, the identified cost estimate is considered reasonable.

Once opened, the SEC is initially projected to require approximately $670,000 in annual operating support. This estimate is in line with the operational support needed by similar SECs in Guelph, St. Catharines and Oshawa, as well as current costs to operate Brantford assets including the Civic Centre at approximately $600,000 and Lions Park at $497,000. Given it houses 4 arenas, costs to operate the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre are $2.2 million.

Additionally, a new Centre would help address the continually increasing high demand for ice time in our community, providing essential space for various activities and organizations such as minor hockey, adult recreational hockey, and the Brant Figure Skating Club.

To pay for the SEC, in 2024, the City implemented a Request for Business Partnerships process to seek out companies interested in partnering with the City in the development, financing, operation and / or programming / management of the SEC. As part of this process, the City is also continuing to explore selling the SEC’s naming rights.

In October 2024, Brantford City Council approved adoption of a multi-faceted financial strategy to support the development of the SEC. This approach includes leveraging incremental property taxes from new developments in the designated Lower Downtown Entertainment Area, which is projected to generate approximately $9 million per year. These funds will be used to support up to $140 million in debenture financing required for the Centre’s construction.

Additionally, proceeds from the Municipal Accommodation Fund (MAF) will contribute an estimated $400,000 annually to the project, supplemented by corporate fundraising, and the sale of naming rights. 

The total cost of the SEC is projected at $140 million, and the comprehensive financing plan, which includes contributions from both public and private partners, is designed to maintain the Centre’s financial stability, without relying on taxpayers for additional funding.

No. Other City assets within the downtown core are not impacted by plans to develop the SEC.

It's important to consider the potential benefits that a well-planned Sports and Entertainment Centre could bring to the downtown area and how it can serve as a catalyst for economic growth as the anchor of a new Downtown Entertainment Area. Firstly, a new centre will attract visitors from near and far, generating foot traffic and business for surrounding retail and restaurants. This increased activity will breathe new life into the downtown area, creating job opportunities, stimulating local businesses, and generating new development interest much like has been done in other cities like London, Guelph, St. Catharines, Oshawa and Kingston.

The solidified ongoing partnership with the Brantford Bulldogs along with other sports and entertainment events at the potential new venue is modestly projected to generate an annual economic impact from spending in excess of $13 million annually, including spending by the SEC itself, spending by the Brantford Bulldogs, spending by visiting teams and fans, and spending by event attendees at local businesses. Additionally, the City's solidified long-term partnership with the Bulldogs is expected to significantly enhance the city's reputation as a sports-friendly destination, fostering increased activity and vibrancy, particularly in the downtown area. This boost in reputation is anticipated to attract future investments, further contributing to the city's economic growth. Moreover, the establishment of the SEC is envisioned to instil civic pride and confidence within the community, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement.

The community will also benefit significantly from the great work of the Bulldogs Foundation whose mandate is to raise funds to support youth in the community. This year alone, the Foundation has raised more than $145,000 for the Brantford Bisons through its partnership with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and has donated $45,000 to Brant Food for Thought, $10,000 to Brant Community Healthcare System Pediatrics and $35,000 to the Brantford Community Hockey League’s Take A Shot Program.

As part of a series of comprehensive community development plans, the City remains firmly committed to improving housing and healthcare in our community. The City is meeting the targets set out in the Brantford/Brant Affordable Housing plan to construct 506 social housing units over ten years. Four years into that plan 43% or 220 units have been or are under construction. At the same time the City is actively supporting the Province and Brant Community Health Services’ (BCHS) plan for the construction of a new hospital, a recognition of the critical need for advanced healthcare facilities in our community.

Building a new hospital is a massive undertaking that requires advocacy and raising the capital required from a variety of sources. The City is one of many players involved in contributing to this project and is dedicated to ensuring any dollars saved through year end surplus, additional dividends and operational efficiencies are contributed to this important community project.

While funding the new hospital build is provincially governed, the City will honour its obligations to the contribute to this important community project. Beginning in 2023, the City proactively established a Hospital Redevelopment Reserve Fund, part of a dedicated effort by the City to put in place the municipal funding required for the successful completion of this vital healthcare project. The City will be allocating additional monies to the reserve each year.

It is important to note that proceeding with an SEC build does not circumvent any efforts to improve housing and healthcare. The City’s commitment to these initiatives will continue regardless of what is decided regarding a new Sports and Entertainment Centre.

Ultimately, the City's simultaneous focus on recreation, economic development, housing and healthcare underscores our commitment to fostering a thriving community, and doing so by addressing in a comprehensive manner the many different and diverse needs required to make Brantford a successful and livable city.

Following the approval of recommendations presented to City Council in October 2024, City project staff have initiated competitive procurement processes to secure a Prime Consultant for the design of the new Sports and Entertainment Centre (SEC) and a Consultant to lead a corporate sponsorship campaign. 

Negotiations are also underway to secure naming rights for the SEC, and an SEC Reserve has been established to manage funds received from naming rights sales, land dispositions, operator capital contributions, and corporate sponsorships. To service debt payments, the City will use revenues from the Municipal Accommodation Tax (City portion), reallocated Casino funds, incremental property taxes from developments in the entertainment area, funds from the SEC Reserve, and proceeds from the sale of City-owned assets in the northern boundary. 

The new facility could break ground as early as later this year and open in late 2027.

While having served the needs of the community well for the past 55 years, the Civic Centre is deficient in a number of key attributes that does not make the current Centre a viable long-term venue for an Ontario Hockey League franchise. With 2,954 fixed seats, the Civic Centre is currently the smallest venue in the entire OHL and would be the seventh smallest of the 60 venues that house Canadian Hockey League teams (including the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). It also lacks a number of amenities and features that allow a venue to maximize revenues and attract a wider range of events. Furthermore, the Civic Centre is deficient in a number of key spectator amenities including accessibility, seating size, row width and accessible washrooms.