'Can you tell I am excited?' Hamilton Bulldogs moving to Brantford
City of Brantford councillor Richard Carpenter asked representatives from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) if they could tell he was excited while wearing a hockey jersey in council chambers Tuesday night.
“Can you tell I am excited?" he asked the chambers as a debate about the move of the Hamilton Bulldogs to Brantford got underway.
Carpenter, along with the rest of Brantford city council, voted unanimously to temporarily move the Hamilton Bulldogs to a new location and rename them the Brantford Bulldogs.
The relocation will be for a minimum of three years while the First Ontario Centre in Hamilton undergoes major renovations.
Council heard a presentation from city staff who recommended the move.
"We have a once in a generation opportunity to show not only the hockey world, but those doubters out there in the rest of the province and the country, that we are a city of winners," said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis.
Three members of the Bulldogs organization, franchise owner Michael Andlauer, general manager Matt Turek and vice-president of business operations Jeff Elia were all present to answer questions.
"This city is much different than it was 40 years ago and I truly believe that the OHL belongs in Brantford," said Andlauer. "You have teamed up with the right team, the right ownership, and the right passion."
The agreement states the Bulldogs will be in Brantford for at least three years with the potential of three additional one-year extensions which can be added on.
“When I put this out to my constitutes, there wasn’t a negative comment to find,” Carpenter added. "I've never had such a response at any time in my life, quite frankly – positve or negative."
Many councillors spoke about their excitement, and readiness to attend games.
UPGRADES NEEDED IN BRANTFORD
The Brantford Civic Centre, built in 1967, will be the team's new home and will need some upgrades in order to "meet fan, players and OHL standards."
An estimated cost for those upgrades is $7.5 million.
The Bulldogs will cover $4.5 million for general arena upgrades ranging from a new scoreboard, new dasher board glass, new lighting, as well as upgraded washrooms and concessions.
The City of Brantford will cover the remaining $3 million for the upgrades, which will cover most of a new HVAC system, something the city says required an upgrade anyways. Staff stated the current system is running on electric radiant heat.
City Staff will pay the $3 million price tag with funds from the "casino legacy reserve,” which is made up of revenue Elements Casino shares with the municipality, meaning no taxpayer money will be used under the agreement with the Bulldogs.
A staff report presented to council also stated that nearly $4.5 million could be pumped into the local economy annually thanks to players and fans who would be staying at hotels, eating at restaurants and generally spending money in the city.
Staff also claim several local jobs would be created, with annual totalling wages of nearly $300,000 spread acorss the created positions.
These jobs will include, but may not be limited to, concession operators and Zamboni drivers.
"I will do everything in my power, if it's not this franchise, that an OHL team is here," said Andlauer. "Perhaps a new facility that's not here today, but hopefully we get to that crossroad and then you'll have your answer."
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS
The financial rewards for the community would go above and beyond business to include charity, as well as the Bulldogs Foundation would begin supporting Brantford social programs.
“We raised over $900,000 last year, which was our largest raised so far,” Andlauer said about the foundation.
Adding a comment about their current contribution in Hamilton, “our signature program is the breakfast program where we feed 21 inner-city schools.”
TICKET SALES
Season ticket deposits will be accepted as quickly as Wednesday when the organization says the Brantford Bulldogs website will be live.
“We are expecting a lot of demand when we go on sale tomorrow. The initial process will be an online deposit and a form that you have to fill out online,” Elia said.
A $100 deposit will be needed when signing up online. People selected for season tickets will then be able to choose their seats through an online map in the coming weeks.
When one councillor asked how the team will ration season tickets given excitement seems high, the franchise stated they will still have several seats available for single sale allowing the greater community to access games as well.
Andlauer stated ticket prices will be around equal market value to other OHL franchises but was unable to provide a specific number.
Hamilton Bulldogs single-game tickets during the regular season currently range from $15 to $28.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pennsylvania chocolate plant blast kills 5, leaves 6 missing
An explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania Friday killed two people and left nine people missing, authorities said.
Ukraine says battle for Bakhmut is 'stabilizing'
The top commander of Ukraine's military said Saturday that his forces are pushing back against Russian troops in the long and grinding battle for the town of Bakhmut, and British military intelligence says Russia appears to be moving to a defensive strategy in eastern Ukraine.
'Everything is interwoven': Trudeau and Biden vow continued Canada-U.S. collaboration during historic visit
U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have announced updates on a number of cross-border issues, after a day of meetings on Parliament Hill.
Asylum seeker deal between U.S. and Canada won't stop drama at border, advocates say
The new asylum seeker agreement between Canada and the United States will not deter migrants from trying to cross into Canada outside official ports of entry, Quebec immigration advocacy groups say.
Scientists say they've solved the mystery of cigar-shaped comet 'Oumuamua
Scientists now say they know outerspace object ‘Oumuamua is, and the answer is more simple than some previous theories have suggested.
'A riot of colours' and 'stunning views' can be found in Canada's national parks. Here's where to go this summer
This past week, Parks Canada opened up its reservation system for the 2023 season, offering places to stay, hikes to take and national historic sites to visit across the country. According to three experts, here's where to travel this summer.
Incredible photos show northern lights dancing across much of Canada
Sky-gazers and shutterbugs across much of Canada were treated to a spectacular display of northern lights Thursday night and into Friday morning.
W5
W5 | Comedian Russell Peters doesn't pull punches in climate of 'cancel culture,' 'political correctness'
CTV W5 speaks with members of the comedy industry, including Russell Peters, for a wide-ranging look at how political correctness and 'cancel culture' has changed the world of stand-up comedy.
Ontario woman kicks off 'long shot' search for wedding dress after dad mistakenly donates it
A woman in southern Ontario is making a plea to the public and kicking off a "long shot" search for her wedding dress after her father accidentally donated it earlier this year.
London
-
London police warning public of a 'high risk offender'
London Police Service has issued a public safety warning due to the release of a “high risk offender.”
-
Can this notorious London, Ont. intersection be made safer with a red light camera?
A new safety assessment of the Hamilton Road and Highbury Avenue intersection makes several recommendations to address the high number of collisions.
-
Cinder block thrown through window of south London restaurant
A London man was arrested early Friday morning after being spotted throwing a cinder block through the front door of a restaurant, according to police.
Windsor
-
Windsor-Essex brewers lament impact of looming 6.3% alcohol tax
On April 1, a 6.3 per cent federal excise tax goes into effect on beer, wine and spirits producers.
-
Windsor police officer demoted for ‘unnecessary’ arrest of two Black men
A Windsor police officer has been demoted for neglect of duty for the “unnecessary” arrest of two Black men.
-
Provincial funding boost in mental health services welcome news for Windsor-Essex health officials
Initial reaction to Ontario's 2023 budget indicates it’s being well received by pharmacists and mental health care officials in Windsor-Essex.
Barrie
-
Barrie restaurants, bars brace for most significant alcohol tax jump in 40 years
Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.
-
One of 7 men charged in Elnaz Hajtamiri case to be released from custody
One of the seven men charged in connection with the alleged frying pan assault and attempted abduction of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri weeks before her disappearance will be released from custody.
-
Barrie man at the centre of violent arrest sentenced for unrelated charges
Skyler Kent, the man violently arrested in downtown Barrie in 2021, pleaded guilty to multiple unrelated charges and one for threatening the arresting officer and was sentenced Friday.
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario's 2022 Sunshine List is out. Who was the top earner?
Ontario's so-called sunshine list is out and the three top paid public employees in the province are all at Ontario Power Generation.
-
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates | 'Canadians should be very concerned about their drinking water': W5 investigates asbestos cement pipes
W5 investigates aging asbestos pipes across Canada and the potential health hazards if it ends up in your tap water. Watch W5's 'Something in the Water' Saturday at 7 p.m. on CTV.
-
Sudbury police charge OPP sergeant with criminal harassment
CTV News has learned an Ontario Provincial Police sergeant with 22 years of service has been charged in Sudbury with criminal harassment.
Ottawa
-
A mixed bag of wintry weather could hamper travel
The calendar says spring, but winter's icy grip hasn't loosened just yet, as a mixture of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain is in the forecast.
-
Fire seriously damages Gatineau, Que. restaurant
Firefighters were called to Les 2 petits cochons on Chemin Montreal Ouest just before 7:30 p.m. Friday. No one was hurt in the fire.
-
City considers $13 million grant for new hotel at Ottawa airport
Ottawa taxpayers could provide a $13 million grant to support the construction of a 180-room hotel at the Ottawa International Airport, as part of a program to support the airport's post-pandemic rebound.
Toronto
-
Ontario woman kicks off 'long shot' search for wedding dress after dad mistakenly donates it
A woman in southern Ontario is making a plea to the public and kicking off a "long shot" search for her wedding dress after her father accidentally donated it earlier this year.
-
Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
-
Ontario changes eye exam eligibility for seniors under OHIP
Ontario has reached a funding agreement with optometrists that increases some payments to them, but reduces some coverage for patients, including less frequent general eye exams for seniors.
Montreal
-
Asylum seeker deal between U.S. and Canada won't stop drama at border, advocates say
The new asylum seeker agreement between Canada and the United States will not deter migrants from trying to cross into Canada outside official ports of entry, Quebec immigration advocacy groups say.
-
Questions raised about safety of Old Montreal building destroyed by fatal fire
Police and firefighters have said it's too soon to say what caused the fire. But witnesses have raised questions about safety, including whether smoke detectors were working and whether there were proper emergency exits.
-
Montreal artist won't change puppet that community groups say looks like blackface
A theatre performance for children featuring a puppet that has been described as racist is continuing in the Montreal area. Several Black community organizations have criticized the puppet as being reminiscent of blackface minstrel shows — racist performances during which white people portrayed exaggerated stereotypes of Black people for laughs. But the show's creator — Franck Sylvestre, who is Black — has no plans to change the puppet, which he said is a caricature of his own features.
Atlantic
-
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE | Students hailed for aiding stabbed staff member; school principal and parents thank community
Two students are being recognized for their quick actions, and school administration and parents are thanking the community, after a difficult week at Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, N.S.
-
More spring snow to hit the Maritimes Sunday
While one round of snow and rain has passed, another is lined up for the end of the weekend.
-
Provinces compete to retain, recruit health-care workers
As competition for health-care workers heats up, so too does the bidding.
Winnipeg
-
'If it ain't broke, don't fix it': Proposed liquor in grocery stores pilot brings mixed reactions
There are mixed feelings in Manitoba about a proposed plan to expand liquor sales and put beer, wine and hard alcohol on the shelves of retailers like grocery stores.
-
'A sad thing that happens': Town of Arborg dealing with increase in stray cats
A town in Manitoba's Interlake area is trying to find new homes for stray cats that were dumped in the community.
-
Manitoba First Nation enforcing new measures to combat drug crisis
A Manitoba First Nation is enacting measures to combat an ongoing drug and addiction crisis while also calling on the federal and provincial governments to do more to address drug-related deaths within northern remote Indigenous communities.
Calgary
-
Violent Calgary road rage: New photos released, persons of interest sought
Calgary police have released photos of a man and vehicle believed to be involved in a case of road rage last month that left the victim with substantial injuries.
-
1 missing as 2 houses burn in afternoon fire in northwest Calgary
One person is missing and a dog is dead after two homes caught fire Friday afternoon in northwest Calgary.
-
Hurricanes wrap regular season home schedule with 6-4 win over Rebels
The Lethbridge Hurricanes won their final home game of the regular season Friday, defeating the Red Deer Rebels 6-4 at Enmax Centre.
Edmonton
-
Oilers ready to gear up for Pride night, say 'Hockey is for everyone'
Players with the Edmonton Oilers say they are committed to celebrating Pride on Saturday night when they take on the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Place.
-
Road closures for Edmonton police funeral procession announced
The procession is scheduled to leave the Alberta Legislature grounds toward Rogers Place at approximately 11:45 a.m.
-
'More concrete and parking': Critics concerned over Hawrelak Park trees after FOIP request
Members of Edmonton's River Valley Conservation Coalition board say a freedom of information request shows the city plans to remove trees in Hawrelak Park to make room for infrastructure during the controversial three-year rehabilitation project at the park.
Vancouver
-
'Fentanyl, it’s destroying everybody': Homeless crisis grows in Chilliwack
On the streets of Chilliwack, there are more homeless people than ever before, and some of them are barely teenagers.
-
Demand grows to ban octopus farms in Canada
Over 11,000 people have signed a petition demanding the Canadian government ban octopus farms from opening in the country.
-
'It was a whole dance of lights': Aurora borealis peeks through the clouds in Vancouver
Samuel Troya saw the northern lights over Vancouver once before, about a year and a half ago, but it was nothing like the spectacle he witnessed Friday morning.