Repurposing a community asset for revitalizing cities: The future of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton

Abstract

This paper explores the possibility of renovating the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, a large hockey stadium that can also be used to host concerts and similar events. Presently the facility is too big to fit the needs of Hamiltonians in a sustainable way and the excess space/seating raise the cost of maintenance unnecessarily while leaving the arena severely underutilized at around an average of just over 50% utilization. In other words, FirstOntario Centre is a case study in regenerating excellence. We describe the challenges and potential solutions to repurpose this space in order to regenerate social, economic, and environmental excellence in the heart of this mid-sized Ontario city. This case study can inform others seeking to reinvigorate attributes of livable cities.