Mohawk 4-Ice Centre

operational

Opportunity The City of Hamilton had no major multi-pad facility to support hockey tournaments and there was a significant shortage of facilities offering prime time winter ice availabilities. Existing facilities did not meet NHL regulations and the average age of ice pad stock was nearly 30-years-old. Additionally, the Hamilton Bulldogs AAA Hockey program was without a home. The City was also struggling with annual operating deficits. Civil infrastructure, including roads and sewers, required renewal and were placing demands on available capital making it unfeasible for the City to make a major investment in sports and recreation infrastructure. Challenges The City had made three previously unsuccessful attempts to build a multi-pad using a public-private partnership. Innovations The City of Hamilton provided $5 million of financing towards the project, while Hamilton Arena Partners (HAP) provided $12 million. The agreement included a ten-year operating contract in which profits and losses are shared by the City and HAP. Results The Mohawk 4-Ie Centre is the largest recreation complex in the Greater Hamilton area with over 136,000 square feet of space including four NHL size arenas, 24 change rooms,360 parking spaces, a large multi-purpose room, sports retail outlet, offices and food and beverage retailers. Each year the facility has over 1.5 million visitors and plays host to 16 major tournaments. The facility was completed on-time and under budget. The facility offers significant revenue opportunities for the City. The facility was voted the best recreation facility in the region in an independent survey by the Hamilton Spectator. The facility won the Ontario Mayor’s challenge for the most energy efficient ice complex.

High