Jim Balsillie Unveils Dramatic Revitalization for Copps Coliseum
State-of-the-Art Upgrades Make Potential Home a “Top Tier” NHL Arena
May 29, 2009 @ 10:00AM
Toronto, May 29, 2009 – Plans to transform Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum into a spectacular home arena for a new Southern Ontario NHL franchise were unveiled today by Jim Balsillie.
With a focus on fan-friendly cutting edge designs, the new Copps Coliseum would feature a soaring atrium-style entrance lobby, a range of luxury boxes, new lounges and restaurants, food and bar amenities throughout and capacity for more than 18,000 spectators. The design also fully addresses requirements the NHL has previously communicated for Copps Coliseum.
The design is by one of the world’s leading sports facility architectural firms BBB Architects and its subsidiary group, Stadium Consultants International (SCI), which is also currently working on renovations at Madison Square Garden in New York (home of the New York Rangers) and Nassau County Coliseum (home of the New York Islanders). The design for Copps Coliseum is aimed at improving the fan experience, from proximity to players, to viewing positions and entertainment options. Full details will be posted at www.makeitseven.ca.
“A new team for the best new hockey market deserves spectacular new home ice, and that’s exactly what the upgraded Copps Coliseum would offer,” said Balsillie. “This facility will deliver unparalleled excitement and bring fans closer than ever to the action.”
The revitalized Copps Coliseum would also offer a year-round state-of-the-art venue for concerts, conferences, and trade shows, adding to Hamilton’s already impressive conference hosting capabilities through its Hamilton Place facilities.
The estimated cost for the long-term renovation of Copps Coliseum is $150 million in 2007 dollars (the year the last detailed construction estimate was calculated). The estimate could vary significantly based on timelines, approvals and access to the facility for construction purposes.
Highlights include:
- New atrium-style lobby with major ticketing area and new street-level retail
- New main concourse with new finishes throughout and direct access to lower seating bowl
- New Club Lounge and Club Seating Section
- 50 Mid-Level Private Suites, 20 new “Bunker Suites” with prime seats in first six rows “between the blue lines”
- 4 Group Suites at mid-level plus Group Sales/Party Deck in upper seating bowl
- New Home & Visitor Hockey Club Locker Rooms
- All new rink surface, ice plant and climate control systems
- All new upholstered seating throughout
(*See backgrounder for full details)
“When completed, the BBB Renovation Plan will transform Copps Coliseum into a first class professional sports and entertainment facility, which will in turn promote a first class experience for visitors through the redesign and transformation of the building,” said Chris O’Reilly, Principal with BBB Architects.
“This would be a jaw-dropper of an attraction for Hamilton,” said the City’s mayor, Fred Eisenberger. “What I’ve seen would make the new Copps Coliseum a magnet for sports fans and concert-goers across Ontario and North America. It would be a tremendous new asset for our city, and a major part of the revitalization of downtown Hamilton.”
Boilerplate
BBB Architects (BBB) and its subsidiary group, Stadium Consultants International (SCI), of Toronto, have been involved in the design and development of numerous sports & entertainment/multi-use spectator facilities in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia, over the last two decades. BBB and SCI have been responsible for the design of many new projects, including the Air Canada Centre and BMO Field in Toronto, GM Place in Vancouver, Color Line Arena in Hamburg, and Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, to name a few. BBB and SCI also have gained considerable expertise in designing major renovations to existing spectator arenas. Completed renovation projects at the professional sports level include Edmonton’s Rexall Place, Calgary’s Pengrowth Saddledome and Portland’s Rose Garden. BBB is also currently the main architects and designers for two high profile NHL arena renovations. Our clients typically include various levels of government, major institutions, professional sports team owners and leagues, as well as private developers.
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Rod Gallant
Great plans, looks awesome and can't wait to be a ticket holder and watch NHL in Hamilton.
May 29, 2009 @ 10:13AM
John Tasopoulos
Awesome!!! Do it for us Jim!!
May 29, 2009 @ 10:46AM
Ryan
Just tell me where and when to line up for seasons tickets!!
That is the most beautiful arena I've seen!
May 29, 2009 @ 10:48AM
Betty Tasopoulos
It's about time Jim. I live in Richmond Hill, but you bet I will be going to as many games as possible!! I hope the Arizona Judge realzes what Hockey means to us.It's more than a game it's our way of life!!
May 29, 2009 @ 10:49AM
John Gilbert
WOW! Talk about a transformation! Anyone else get a feeling that this time it's for real? I don't think it's even possible to turn Balsillie away this time. What's going on in Phoenix is simply Coyote ugly!
May 29, 2009 @ 11:01AM
Tim PIke
Alright! A fabulous new home for the Hamilton Storm.
May 29, 2009 @ 11:09AM
Mike Hay
Beautiful looking complex. Extremely well thought out.
It will be an excellent addition to the NHL!
May 29, 2009 @ 11:16AM
gp
Fantastic ! Hope it goes through. Lots of nhl hockey starved fans in S. ON
I think you should keepitsix though. Send the leafs to Phoenix. ha
May 29, 2009 @ 11:19AM
Nikbrovnik
Nice Exterior!
And no more "Chiclets" for seats!!
May 29, 2009 @ 11:19AM
Dave Callahan
That is amazing!!
Wow work your Magic !!!!!
May 29, 2009 @ 12:01PM
Rick Barker
That is quite the transformation and it would definitely make going to the games very enjoyable and I think it would rival any arena that exists today. Get it done Jim!
May 29, 2009 @ 12:15PM
Steve
How about a great indoor soccer team to fill some dates in this great arena!
Here we go Hamilton Steelers!!!!!!!!!
May 29, 2009 @ 12:39PM
Duke
Amazing design didnt know copps had the pontential! Hope youre successful bringing a tam to this hockey starved market in Hamilton. Ill be one of the first in line to get a season tickets!!
May 29, 2009 @ 01:14PM
Kevin Smith
WOW, it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!
A first class arena, how can the NHL say no to this?
For sure a season ticket holder here.
May 29, 2009 @ 03:04PM
Julia Wagner
Simply incredible!!!
May 29, 2009 @ 06:23PM
mike
I think this is GREAT! this is what Hamilton need's to bring the NHL team home, as well attract more selection of Entertainment for Hamilton, i really hope that it is approved, but for some reason Hamilton always gets shafted for the better, so i will cross my fingers for this to happen.
May 29, 2009 @ 08:42PM
Marlene
I was just downtown today and was wondering what are they going to do with the newly renovated market and library if they redo Copps? Since it's a coliseum, shouldn't we have columns? Doric or Corinthian?
May 29, 2009 @ 09:09PM
a. hayes
If this doesn't go through this time there should be a class action lawsuit launched against G.B.!
it would be so nice to hear someone ask you downtown if you need tickets.
May 29, 2009 @ 09:43PM
Patrice
Verry nice plan, hope your dream become reality,go Jim go .Make it happen for us.
May 29, 2009 @ 11:58PM
Pat
Go Jim Go. Hope you get your team :)
May 30, 2009 @ 12:01AM
Chris
Awesome design!
Please just don't call them the Hamilton Coyotes - Phoenix didn't keep the name "Jets", so we don't need to keep the name "Coyotes". Is there a "Name-the-Team" competition going on yet?!
GO JIM GO!!!!
May 30, 2009 @ 09:48AM
Rhena Featherstone
I think your new developement plans for the possibility of a NHL team are through the roof and so will ticket sales. Hamilton is buzzing about the news of us getting a NHL Franchise, This is from the Featherstone family and we are rooting for Mr. Jim Balsillie. Good Luck. Go Hamilton.
May 31, 2009 @ 01:48AM
Dawn Peppard
This is beautiful, hope all works out and the cost of making it happen still allow for reasonable pricing and use for the community and fans.
June 01, 2009 @ 12:33PM
PAT
Keep dreaming in Hamilton !!! The Leafs and the Sabres would never let you guys get a part of the GTA and South Ontario market.
Québec City is the only option for Balsillie. Nordiques will be back in the NHL before you guys can get a franchise... (Jim was seen in QC City last week)
The new Québec Coliseum Project was presented last week.
I can bet you that Québec will put the first brick on the project and will force RIM to revive the Nordiques «for the good of the Canadian hockey market».
Go Nordiques Go !!!!
To bad for the Hamilton Dreamers............
June 02, 2009 @ 10:42AM
LISA ALWAY
I REALLY HOPE HAMILTON GETS THE PHOENIX COYOTES AND THAT MR BALSILLIE BRINGS THEM TO HAMILTON WHERE THEY WILL BE WELL LOOKED AFTER. I THINK THE TEAM WAS SOMEWHAT NEGLECTED IN PHOENIX BUT THEY SURE WON'T BE IN HAMILTON. WE'LL TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM. I'VE GOT A NAME PICKED OUT FOR THE TEAM I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD BE NAMED BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO STEAL MY THUNDER BUT I WILL REVEAL IT NOW. HOW ABOUT THE HAMILTON TORNADOES. WE CAN DO IT. YES WE CAN, YES WE CAN.
June 03, 2009 @ 03:18AM
John Barbati
It is about time. Hamilton can support this team and it will win the Stanley cup not like the other two teams.
June 07, 2009 @ 08:04PM
John Barbati
It is about time. Hamilton can support this team and it will win the Stanley cup not like the other two teams.
June 07, 2009 @ 08:05PM
Ryan Francis
Definetly this is what Canada and hamilton need, please pull throught Balsilie!
July 01, 2009 @ 05:03PM
David
I will be the first to say this...
Lets GO BUFFALO!
&
Lets GO HAMILTON!
Suck it Leafs
September 03, 2009 @ 02:24PM