Local businesses applaud Hamilton Bulldogs move to Brantford
A new deal approved by the City of Brantford and the Ontario Hockey League will see the Hamilton Bulldogs temporarily relocate a town over to become the Brantford Bulldogs.
The team will play out of the Civic Centre for at least the next three years, bringing more than just hockey fans to their feet with anticipation for the team's arrival.
Many people who live and work in downtown say the area is getting better, but there is still room to improve, and they say they are hopeful an OHL team will provide a major boost.
“Obviously, there is going to be a lot of foot traffic and exposure to the business, so that's great for the brand,” said Ricky, the manager of Hudson Public in Brantford.
Just a short walk from the Civic Centre, Hudson Public hopes the team will allow more people to re-discover downtown.
“We still see people that come here that haven't been downtown for years, and they are just so surprised, so the more we get more we can get people to come down the more we can rejuvenate businesses,” said Ricky.
The Boston Pizza in Brantford practically sits in the shadow of the Bulldog’s new home, and manager Allana Thomspon said the staff and guests are really excited about the teams move.
“Once we get that exposure and once people see there is so much to do, different restaurants to eat at, but the Bulldogs will be a huge part of that,” Thomspon said.
On Tuesday night, Brantford city council voted unanimously to temporarily bring the OHL team to the city. While it is not permanent, officials said the move can help boost moral across the city.
“It’s a moral boost for any city that gets an OHL team, it’s civic pride,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis,
Adding: “It calls for the team to be here for at least three years, as many as six years, and who knows perhaps even longer.”
Davis said the move also means more economic vitality, more life and more activity.
The Bulldogs organization is looking for a temporary home due to arena renovations expected to last years.
The team's general manager says moving to Brantford is the best possible outcome.
“Personally, I think it’s going to be a home run here. I think Brantford is a hockey market, and I think OHL hockey is going to be here for a long time,” said Matt Turek, general manager of the Hamilton Bulldogs.
The Civic Centre has roughly 3,000 seats.
On Wednesday, the organization’s ticket purchasing website went live, allowing for fans to place a $100 deposit to secure seats for the 2023/2024 season.
“Seat selection will happen in the order that deposits are placed, with priority given to fans who commit to a three-year membership. This means that the earlier you place a deposit, the more likely you will be able to purchase a season membership plan in the location you desire,” the organization said.
More details on how to place a deposit can be found by clicking here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.