Quote:
Originally Posted by SteelTown
The arena definitely won't be located within the campus. They are exploring an offsite location. So either way they'll have to work with the city.
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Regardless I find it hard to believe the city is going to provide funding for a 10 000 seat arena lol. The universtiy has already been running a deficit. CIS hockey draws a couple hundred ppl per game in Ontario. A good night would be a couple thousand, nevermind 10 000.
I dont see the city who only paid 1/3 of the cost of a new ticats stadium after Ivor Wynne was 80 years old shelling out half the cost of a 10 000 seat arena when copps is fine, seats 17 000 and is only 30 years old. Not to mention they probably signed a non compete clause with global spectrum which has a substantial severence fee.
And like I said Mac has been running a deficit and has been falling behind on building maintenance. They aren't in a position to shell out $100 million for a new arena when the majority of their new buildings are funded through private donations. They're priority is education, not a hockey team.
If Mac really wanted a team they could easily play at market Street Arena in Dundas which seats close to 2000 with standing room.
Lets have a look at this past weeks OUA hockey attendance....
104 @Laurier
101 @ queens
254 @uoit
582 @carleton
300 @waterloo
100 @Toronto
100 @Nippising
And you mean to tell me Mac wants to build a 10 000 seat arena in partnership with the city for its proposed CIS hockey team which has to compete for fans with an AHL or OHL team. When we still have to either A) sever the deal with gobal spectrum at copps and pay for demolition or B) continue to run copps and sink millions into the upkeep of it while forcing it to compete with the new arena for events.
Call me crazy but im willing to bet a lot of money a 10 000 seat arena aint coming to hamilton.