Hamilton’s Tourism Manager says the renovated Hamilton Arena is reporting success at booking larger events, so much so that Hamilton is not able to host the 2027 Brier national men’s curling championships.
On Monday, Tourism Manager Ryan McHugh told a City Council committee that the Brier requires ten days for the tournament and nine days for set-up.
Oak View Group, the private operator that invested most of the $280-million spent on renovating the arena, informed the City that they have too many bookings to put aside 19 days.
The City planned to spend $300,000 on the bid purchase fee.
Councillors reallocated the $300,000 budget line to decrease the use of an internal line-of-credit for tourism activities. The City plans to pay itself back with future municipal accommodation tax funds.
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Published: May 12, 2025
Last updated: May 12, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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Discussion
4 commentsI sure hope this renovated arena will be worth the short term pain. So far we’ve lost the Bulldogs and Honey Badgers, and now can’t host the Brier.
Unable to accomodate because of too many bookings, 2 years out. Sounds like a good problem.
I guess they don’t get the economic benefits and impacts of hosting an event like the Brier … Recent Briers contributed between 10-15 million in economic impact for the local communities.
Nine days seems excessive to me, would have thought for or five.
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