A group of Brantford residents, represented by Mark Dremak of Rethink the Rink and Eyes on Brantford, has requested a public Town Hall to address concerns over the proposed $140 million Sports and Entertainment Complex (SEC).
Their request, submitted to Brantford City Council, follows the February 10, 2025, Special Council Meeting on SEC budget transparency.
The letter urges the Town Hall to be scheduled for 6 p.m. or later in the first quarter of 2025 to ensure public participation, with notifications included in the City of Brantford Public Utilities bill.
It cites the April 2024 Victoria School Town Hall and the Sanderson Centre meeting on the Arrowdale property sale as precedents for effective public engagement.
Residents question the project’s financial feasibility, noting the Brantford Bulldogs’ average attendance of 2,100 during their first two seasons and urging a cost-effective Civic Centre renovation.
They also criticize the non-binding status of the Hyman family’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city, warning of potential taxpayer risk without a binding agreement.
Concerns are heightened by KKR Consulting’s projection of a $669,000 annual SEC operating loss, which could surpass $2 million if event targets fall short.
CAO Brian Hutchings’ October 8, 2024, report (No. 2024-599) outlines a financing plan involving debentures and land sales, though residents question revenue estimates due to Ontario’s 69-year low in housing starts.
The letter highlights the risk of exceeding Brantford’s debt servicing limit and calls for cost comparisons with the $50 million St. Catharines Meridian Centre.
Additionally, residents warn that council turnover in 2026 could leave taxpayers responsible for an incomplete project, citing the Arrowdale Golf Course sale as a cautionary example.
Meanwhile, Brantford City Council has taken key steps to advance the SEC project. On January 18, 2025, Mayor Kevin Davis welcomed the team’s new owners—Stuart, Spencer, and Zach Hyman—after the Ontario Hockey League approved the Bulldogs’ ownership transfer.
A 15-year lease agreement, with options extending up to 40 years, was signed to secure the Bulldogs as the SEC’s anchor tenant.
On February 11, 2025, the Council approved proceeding with a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) model for the SEC, which is expected to enhance collaboration, control costs, and reduce project risks.
The SEC will also align with the City’s Net-Zero Building Strategy to minimize emissions and operating costs.
The selection process for a Design-Build Team will begin with a Request for Proposals (RFP), with a final “Go/No-Go” decision on the design and budget due later in the year.
Public engagement will be integral, with input opportunities through an open house and the Let’s Talk Brantford online platform, starting in September.
These developments signal significant progress on the SEC project, balancing efforts to address public concerns with a commitment to community engagement and sustainable design.
The public needs to get involved and ask questions about the proposed new SEC for Brantford. There are many important questions to be asked since the tax payers will be responsible for the losses the SEC generates. Get involved!