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
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.