IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Alana Henderson Tourism Product Development Specialist – Sport 905-546-2424 x3173 [email protected] Connect With Us Tourism Hamilton is your fi rst point of contact for making connections, accessing assistance programs, bid development, site visits, fi nancial incentives, marketing support and more. Learn more about us FLEXIBLE CAMPUS FACILITIES Hamilton’s campus facilities are second to none with both McMaster University and Mohawk College offering convention space, onsite accommodations and multi- purpose sports venues such as Mohawk’s David Braley Athletic & Recreation Centre and McMaster’s 5,500-seat Ron Joyce Stadium where the Hamilton Tiger-Cats regularly hold their training camps, says T.J. Kelly, McMaster’s manager, facilities and events, athletics and recreation. The university is investing in a multi- faceted expansion featuring a new gymnasium with a synthetic turf area for cross training, an updated space for high-performance athletes, indoor climbing and bouldering walls and a 500-person multi-purpose room. Campus Accommodations: From May to August, McMaster University, Mohawk College and nearby Redeemer University, combined, offer 1,400+ beds, including hotel-quality suites. A GOLFER’S PARADISE Founded in 1894 along the picturesque Niagara Escarpment and host to numerous RBC Canadian Open tournaments, the Hamilton Golf and Country Club (HGCC) recently invested $11 million to enhance visuals and to modernize its bunkers, greens, tees and irrigation system. “When the professionals return to play the Canadian Open in 2024, the biggest thing they will notice are much more consistent and higher quality playing surfaces,” says Alan Carter, chief operating offi cer, HGCC. If you’ve ever longed to experience the genius of legendary golf course architect Stanley Thompson, head over to the century-old Chedoke Civic Golf Club. Just minutes from downtown Hamilton, Chedoke and the King’s Forest Golf Club are user-friendly choices for national championships, fundraising events, banquets and other functions. During winter months, King’s Forest hosts disc golf activities. “Disc golfers are coming from all over to play our course,” says Mark Arnett, Hamilton’s supervisor of golf services. STATE-OF-THE-ART VENUES HUPEG is partnering with arena developer/operator Oak View Group (OVG) on FirstOntario Centre’s $50-million renovation work, set to begin in early 2023. Improvements include a new exterior façade and video board, transformation of the lower bowl, expanded concourse level and a new fl exible curtaining system for the upper bowl balcony. Athletes will enjoy modernized locker- rooms, onsite training facilities and social spaces, while attendees at the 19,000-seat facility will love cutting-edge Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, better sight lines, enhanced hospitality suites and innovative food and beverage choices. Also in the works: Street- level restaurants, a sports lounge and an e-sports zone. OVG brings its experience developing Seattle’s new Climate Pledge Arena, which has set industry-leading targets for zero waste, reduced carbon emissions and water conservation. As for FirstOntario Centre, “investments into more effi cient lighting and energy [heating/cooling] are a priority, with a goal of being carbon neutral in time,” says Mercanti. An additional $12.5 million in renovation work is set to begin by early 2024 at the FirstOntario Concert Hall, where the acoustics are excellent for sports industry conferences and functions, as well as at the Convention Centre, which will enable the venue to host everything from boxing, karate and cheerleading to volleyball, fencing and basketball tournaments, says Vince Bozzo, general manager, Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen’s. Hamilton Convention Centre Tim Hortons Field FirstOntario Centre PHOTOS (THIS PAGE AND SLIDESHOWS): CITY OF HAMILTON; HAMILTON CONVENTION CENTRE; RYAN MCCULLOUGH; MICHAEL P. HALL; ART WARD; JEFF TESSIER; MARK ZELINSKI; CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 11 SPRING 2022 | ADRENALIN
