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  #221  
Old Posted Aug 9, 2011, 12:14 AM
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Copps gets new video screens courtesy of Dogs owner Andlauer

http://www.thespec.com/sports/bulldo...owner-andlauer

There wasn’t one specific moment that sold him on the idea. Not one disputed goal or controversial penalty or spectacular save he had to squint to try to see. There was just a constant inability to really make out what was being shown on the TV above centre ice that convinced him he needed to update the video screens at Copps Coliseum.

“I want to be able to at least see the puck,” he says.

Which is why Hamilton Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer wrote a cheque for $300,000 of his own dough Monday to buy new video screens for the arena’s scoreboard
Hopefully that indicates a desire to stay at Copps.
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  #222  
Old Posted Aug 9, 2011, 5:46 PM
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Via Joey Coleman:

"John Hertel is being upgraded from interim to acting CEO of HECFI. Council motion[PDF]: http://bit.ly/qw0Qth #HamOnt"
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  #223  
Old Posted Oct 31, 2011, 11:40 PM
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HECFI Still Needs Millions (Emma Reilly, Hamilton Spectator, Oct 31, 2011)

Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. will be asking city council for a $3.467-million grant to help cover its 2012 budget, John Hertel, its chief administrative officer and interim CEO, said Monday....

The $3.4 million requested is only a small fraction of the taxpayer-funded subsidies the agency needs. HECFI staff estimate that including utilities, capital costs and other expenses, it will require $8.867 million in 2012.

That’s slightly more than 2011, which HECFI staff estimate will require $7.255 million in city subsidies, including a $3.567-million grant.

However, there are some bright lights on the horizon, said Hertel, including the recent Selena Gomez concert and an upcoming (Nov. 26) appearance by the indie-rock band, The Sheepdogs.
Prince is also coming to town to rehearse in HECFI facilities for four days, ahead of his concerts at the Air Canada Centre on Friday and Saturday.
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  #224  
Old Posted Nov 23, 2011, 8:24 PM
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A Princely time at Copps

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...-time-at-copps

The eight or nine trucks that have been parked in front of Copps Coliseum this week may not be little red Corvettes. But they are red and they do belong to the artist known as Prince, the guy who scored a hit singing about a Little Red Corvette back in the ’80s.

Prince’s band and crew have been in Hamilton since Monday rehearsing and fine-tuning technical aspects of their Welcome 2 Canada Tour, which kicks off Friday and Saturday with two concerts at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre.

As of yesterday afternoon, however, Prince had yet to make an appearance.

“We were hoping for a dress rehearsal, but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen,” said John Elder, entertainment director for Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. which operates Copps.

The tour touches down in nine Canadian cities including Halifax, Ottawa, London and Victoria … but not Hamilton.

Considering quality tickets to see the 53-year-old flamboyant funk rocker are going for more than $250 each, Hamilton’s omission may not be such a bad thing. Good seats are still available for the ACC shows and Saskatoon cancelled its date with Prince for … “scheduling reasons.”

While Hamilton isn’t getting the musical meat and potatoes, it is getting some gravy.
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  #225  
Old Posted Feb 13, 2012, 7:29 PM
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Takeover bids for Copps Coliseum, Hamilton Place and convention centre

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...vention-centre

Six wildly different companies have thrown their hats into the ring to run Hamilton Place, the Convention Centre, and Copps Coliseum.

The city has released the results of the request for proposals it issued last year for the three facilities, currently operated by Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (HECFI).

Three of the bidders – AEG/Katz Group, Global Spectrum/Live Nation, and SMG/Form Equity – are large North American firms that have proposed running all three HECFI facilities.

The remaining three bidders are smaller local companies. Carmen’s banquet centre owners Peter Mercanti, P.J. Mercanti along with Festival of Friends director Loren Leiberman have submitted a proposal to run the Convention Centre. Vrancor, the company owned by high-profile downtown developer Darko Vranich, has also submitted a proposal for operating the Convention Centre.

Local record label Sonic Unyon has submitted a proposal to run Hamilton Place.

All of the bidders are under strict instructions not to discuss the proposals with the media. During the RFP process, the city has forbidden any contact between bidders and councillors, city staff and HECFI employees.

The request for proposals process was kick-started after HECFI’s disastrous financial performance in 2010, when the agency required an $11.65-million cash injection from the city. That subsidy, in combination with a damning independent review, led to the city's decision to dissolve the HECFI board, fire CEO Duncan Gillespie, and form a committee of councillors to oversee HECFI operations.

The call for proposals allowed private companies to bid on any combination of the city’s venues, whether it was all three or only one. It also allowed bidders the freedom to propose to buy the facilities or manage them.

Councillors will receive a presentation about the bids at Wednesday’s General Issues Committee meeting. However, they won’t be asked to make a decision about HECFI’s future until March 21.
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  #226  
Old Posted Feb 14, 2012, 3:23 AM
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AEG FACILITIES / KATZ GROUP – Primarily interested in managing Copps Coliseum, with an interest in managing all facilities.

• CARMEN’S GROUP – Management of Hamilton Convention Centre.

• GLOBAL SPECTRUM / LIVE NATION – Management of all three facilities.

• SMG / FORUM EQUITY – Management of all three facilities.

• SONIC UNYON – Management of Hamilton Place.

• VRANCOR GROUP – Management of Hamilton Convention Centre.
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  #227  
Old Posted Feb 14, 2012, 3:27 AM
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• All proposals represent private management arrangements for HECFI facilities (rather than a lease or purchase of specific facilities) for terms of 8 years +.

• All proposals maintain the core use of each of the three HECFI facilities.

• Except for some minor contributions, all proposals leave capital costs as the financial responsibility of the City (see Vrancor capital expansion plan).

• All proposals require ongoing subsidization of some operating costs (e.g. utilities, operating costs etc.).

• Proponents will work towards reducing operating subsidies through both cost reductions and revenue enhancements, but without any firm financial guarantees. These “savings” will be shared between the City and the manager.

• Several proponents have expressed an interest in making additional private investments in the downtown core of Hamilton. These development initiatives are dependent on the future economic merits of such ventures.

• The three larger proponents have significant facility management experience, financial resources operating relationships

Vrancor’s interest is the management and redevelopment of the Hamilton Convention Centre. Vrancor’s proposal calls for significant capital improvements to be made to the Convention Centre. These improvements will be funded through the proposed management fees paid to Vrancor.
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  #228  
Old Posted Feb 17, 2012, 1:45 PM
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I had no idea Sonic Unyon had the kind of cash to be considering buying Hamilton Place.
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  #229  
Old Posted Feb 17, 2012, 2:08 PM
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Not buying it, just managing the operations.
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  #230  
Old Posted Feb 17, 2012, 2:10 PM
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If I had to bet I'm guessing AEG/Katz will get Copps and Hamilton Place. While Vrancor will get the Convention Centre.
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  #231  
Old Posted Apr 23, 2012, 4:55 PM
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We should know tomorrow who will be the preferred takeover of Copps, Hamilton Place, and the Convention Centre.
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  #232  
Old Posted Apr 24, 2012, 1:38 AM
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We should know tomorrow who will be the preferred takeover of Copps, Hamilton Place, and the Convention Centre.
Special HECFI meeting on Friday April 27

http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartmen...calendars2012/
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  #233  
Old Posted Apr 25, 2012, 3:23 PM
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Global giants best bet for privatizing HECFI operations

By Andrew Dreschel
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...cfi-operations

One of the most significant issues this term of council has to deal with is back on deck.

This Friday, KPMG consultants will finally present their advice on which private company should run the financially troubled Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc.

With city’s staff’s backing, KPMG argues that the city should start negotiating with two entertainment giants — Global Spectrum/Live Nation and SMG/Forum Equity.

Of the six companies that answered the city’s request for proposals, those are the only two interested in managing all three city-owned facilities — Copps Coliseum, Hamilton Place and Convention Centre.

KPMG argues both bidders are in the best position to save taxpayers money through a change of HECFI management.

Global Spectrum manages 40 arenas, 13 stadiums, and 32 convention centres around the world and its parent company owns the NHL Philadelphia Flyers.

Its partnering bidder, Live Nation, is one of the world’s biggest concert promoters.

SMG globally manages 77 arenas, 54 theatres and 68 convention centres, including two NHL arenas. Forum Equity is a Toronto-based development firm.

But the recommendation doesn’t mean it’s game over for some of the other bidders.

Councillors are expected to be presented with the possibility of sticking with the status quo and a hybrid option.

The latter would keep the door open on talks with AEG Facilities/Katz Group, which is only interested in operating Copps Coliseum.

Some believe that AEG/Katz may represent Hamilton’s best long-term chance of landing an NHL team.
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  #234  
Old Posted Apr 25, 2012, 4:47 PM
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That the City Manager be authorized and directed to enter into negotiations with Global Spectrum/Live Nation, and SMG/Forum Equity, in an effort to finalize a proposed Memorandum of Understanding subject to further approval of the City, with one of the aforementioned groups that achieves the objectives of Council with respect to the operations of the HECFI Facilities;

That the proposed Memorandum of Understanding achieved in Recommendation a) of Report CM11013c, together with the details of the HECFI Business Plan as
presented to their Board, be presented to the General Issues Committee for their consideration on or before June 30, 2012, to provide staff with directions or
recommend Council approval necessary for entering into the Memorandum of Understanding and providing for an operating agreement between the City and
the preferred group

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...ernal_Audi.pdf
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  #235  
Old Posted Apr 25, 2012, 4:51 PM
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The AEG / Katz Group proposal envisions the creation of a vibrant multi‐use sports and entertainment district in downtown Hamilton, with Copps Coliseum being the initial focus point.

• AEG would manage Copps Coliseum and increase the quality and quantity of sports and entertainment events at Copps Coliseum. AEG / Katz Group would share in operational savings realized from their management of Copps Coliseum.

• Real estate development around Copps Coliseum is a key feature of the overall vision. AEG and Katz Group are currently working together on a joint project in Edmonton that centres around a new arena for the Edmonton Oilers and ancillary real estate development.

• Both AEG and Katz Group own NHL teams and have contacts with qualified individuals who could become potential owners of an NHL team in Hamilton should the opportunity arise. They also have contacts with AHL and OHL hockey teams.
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  #236  
Old Posted Apr 25, 2012, 4:56 PM
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Vrancor considers the Hamilton Convention Centre to be too small and too outdated to successfully compete with other convention centres in Southwestern Ontario; accordingly, its proposal envisions the investment of $20 to $30 million to expand the Convention Centre by approximately 30,000 square feet and to modernize its amenities.
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  #237  
Old Posted Apr 25, 2012, 4:58 PM
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Based on the foregoing analysis, the Proponents were ranked in the following order :

SMG / Forum Equity (1st); Global Spectrum / Live Nation (2nd); AEG / Katz Group (3rd); Carmen’s Group (4th); Vrancor Group (5th); and Sonic Unyon (6th).
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  #238  
Old Posted Apr 26, 2012, 2:32 PM
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AEG/Katz Group has identified an individual with the resources and interest in becoming an NHL owner for a team in Hamilton.  If and when this candidate becomes the owner/franchisee of an NHL team for Hamilton, it is the Katz Group’s intention to leverage that opportunity into a multi‐use sports and entertainment district. Katz Group is contemplating a new ultra urban development that contemplates retail commercial and residential space anchored by a fully modern NHL venue that would cater to 2 million visitors annually to Hamilton’s downtown core.
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The AEG / Katz Group proposal envisions the creation of a vibrant multi‐use sports and entertainment district in downtown Hamilton, with Copps Coliseum being the initial focus point.
Quote:
Real estate development around Copps Coliseum is a key feature of the overall vision.  AEG and Katz Group are currently working together on a joint project in Edmonton that centres around a new arena for the Edmonton Oilers and ancillary real estate development.
http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...ernal_Audi.pdf

Not sure why theyre rated #3. I'd be pursuing this.
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  #239  
Old Posted Apr 26, 2012, 9:03 PM
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The people in Edmonton can probably give you pause for giving strong support to the AEG/Katz bid. That city is at least $125 million on the hook for their new arena, and they are still still at least $100 million short on funding the $450 million project. Katz is "contributing" by paying $5.5 million rent for 35 years. Plus, the city is paying Katz $2 million a year for 10 years so he can advertise the city via the Oilers (whatever that is supposed to mean). Plus Katz retains naming rights for the arena. Pretty sweet deal.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=378988
http://www.edmonton.ca/city_governme...nding-faq.aspx

All that aside, Katz wants to manage Copps only. Global Spectrum/Live Nation and SMG/Forum both propose to manage all HECFI facilities, and NHL prospects with either of them are pretty much the same as they would be with AEG/Katz. Aeg/Katz do promise downtown redevelopment, but that bit is a bit pie-in-the-sky. They made a similar commitment of up to $100m in downtown redevelopment as part of the Edmonton agreement, with the telling caveat "subject to viability". If you had issues with Bob Young's dealings during the stadium debate, then you certainly don't want to get involved with Katz.
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  #240  
Old Posted Apr 26, 2012, 11:45 PM
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All that aside, Katz wants to manage Copps only. Global Spectrum/Live Nation
Disagree. AEG has much more influence within the NHL. Consider their president, Tim Leiweke who is Chairman of the NHL Expansion & Relocation Committee and He also sits on the NHL Finance Committee. He was responsible for moving the Nordiques to Denver, AEG's arena.

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Aeg/Katz do promise downtown redevelopment, but that bit is a bit pie-in-the-sky.
A bit, yes. but definitely worth pursuing.

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If you had issues with Bob Young's dealings during the stadium debate, then you certainly don't want to get involved with Katz.
I don't get it. I'm all for downtown development where the arena/stadium is part of something more in the core.
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