Hockey teams scouting Belleville: mayor
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Several hockey organizations have started to study the feasibility of relocating a competitive team here.
The city has attracted some positive leads from a string of hockey entities in Canada and south of the border, but it’s premature to predict if it will translate into the return of competitive hockey to the Yardmen Arena, the mayor says.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to give an overview, by January, of who we’ve had healthy discussions with,” said Mayor Taso Christopher. “Our goal is to offer sports and entertainment in that facility.”
Officials from several interested hockey organizations have toured Yardmen Arena, a promising sign ongoing talks — for which at least three confidentiality agreements have been inked — could trigger the creation of a sports and entertainment complex, said Christopher.
“We’ve had a number of conversations with hockey organizations, from the east coast and as far west as Calgary,” the mayor said. “We’ve had some extensive conversations with hockey organizations down in Carolina and Florida.
“They’re doing their own feasibility study of the community and fan base,” he said. “We’ve had a number of them come in and walk the facility. Some of them are overwhelmed by the dynamics.”
Speaking Wednesday, Christopher sounded more upbeat than he was in the spring about filling the void created when the OHL’s Belleville Bulls relocated to Hamilton.
City staff are cognizant of millions in upgrades, like repairing the cracked flooring which threatened the continuity of last season’s play at the Yardmen and modifications like heating and cooling systems recommended by staff for years now, the mayor noted.
“For 2016 and 2017 there are some upgrades planned for that facility, so that will probably be in the queue,” he said.
Great Canadian Gaming, the operator of a casino tagged for Belleville, are open to partnering with any suitors.
“I’ve talked to them and they have made it clear they would be willing to talk to any organization and potential investor, but their number one mandate is to get the casino up and running,” he said.
jason.miller@sunmedia.ca