KingJames
Active Member
Nice drone footage, and some material on the food scene
- Thread starter innsertnamehere
- Start date
Nice drone footage, and some material on the food scene
Chris R.
Senior Member
I've heard from some people that have visited the Iron Cow that it's meh, which kind of sucks, but I suppose is expected.
Which is unfortunate, because Rizzo's was soo good.
Which is unfortunate, because Rizzo's was soo good.
Chris R.
Senior Member
Something was going on today
IamNotaRobot
New Member
I enjoyed the food but if I'm thinking about where I want to go for dinner in Hamilton, it's not even in the conversation unless I'm going to TD Coliseum. I think it does what it is meant to as a high volume arena restaurant. Nice ambiance and it does the pub food well but it's still pub food at the end of the day.
Now Rizzo's, definitely worth the drive.
Wigs
Active Member
Rizzo's House of Parm - Matty Matheson's original location in his hometown of Fort Erie (Crystal Beach area) has the best gnocchi I've ever had in my life. Melts in your mouth. (Handmade Ricotta Gnocchi with cream & pecorino romano). Matty's Salad was also one of the most delicious salads I've had at any restaurant.
American folks regularly drive across the border from Buffalo/Western NY to have dinner at Rizzo's.
American folks regularly drive across the border from Buffalo/Western NY to have dinner at Rizzo's.
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BCTed
Active Member
Out of all of the renders of the renovated arena, I think this one excited me the most. It is the street-level concourse (I believe on the York Boulevard side) and it looks so wide and roomy and pleasant and comfortable. Unfortunately, the actual new concourse feels much darker and tighter and more cramped and somehow less arena-like to me.
Yorken Bay
New Member
You're not wrong at all. And I understand the purpose and intended tenants of the arena. But for me, as a life long Hamiltonian who's worked in local planning, I want us to take that step forward and shake off that old reputation.
We're getting there. But seeing the new arenas in Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec City, Ottawa and several American ones, it's hard not to feel like other places get better stuff and we still have to just be happy we got something at all.
I'm tired of feeling that way.
Like you say, maybe the $300M in additional spending over the years will fill that gap.
KingJames
Active Member
I am looking at the sunk investment as the initial canvas. No doubt it's the riskiest investment, and hopefully will pay out in spades for OVG. As it becomes a proven venue with targeted live dates, I am certain others will layer on.
BCTed
Active Member
Not sure what you mean. The arena is as good as it is going to get. The dollars from here will just be maintenance and maybe some refreshes
KingJames
Active Member
Most enterprises will always look to find ways to improve revenue lift (unless you are Yale with Jackson Square). So certainly OVG will focus on filling out the venue's dance card. Beyond that, they will look to add features that will enhance revenue and customer experience. Maybe that entails expansion out to Bay and York/Wilson, or eating into Jackson Square footprint on the ground or plaza level. Again, not in the first few years, but if all goes well, I could see something within 5 years. Once the SallyAnn gets moved, maybe we will get a hint on what could be possible for the whole north side of the complex.
Chronamut
Senior Member
That's literally been everyones mentality for hamilton, that we could be doing better, but we should be grateful we are getting anything at all - it's a sucky mentality.
Also what's happened to that entire block of jackson square is a crime, imo they should just demolish most of it. It's a pale shadow of what it was.
ILikeHamilton
New Member
Hamilton NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now part owner of downtown arena
Having the Oklahoma City Thunder star forward and last year’s NBA MVP involved in TD Coliseum could help lure artists and athletes to downtown Hamilton.Feb. 9, 2026 By Scott Radley Hamilton Spectator
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays basketball in an awful lot of arenas around North America.
Now he’s about to become a part owner of one.
Oak View Group announced Monday morning, the Hamilton product is investing in TD Coliseum.
“Becoming part of the ownership group at TD Coliseum is really personal for me,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in a statement released by OVG, which renovated and operates the facility.
“Growing up in Hamilton shaped who I am, so having the opportunity to help build something special in my hometown means everything.”
What does this mean in practical terms?
No, they’re not changing its name to Shai Stadium, though there will be an atrium on the York Boulevard side that’ll be named Ares Atrium after his almost-two-year-old son.
It sounds like the real impact could be in events.
Hamilton NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now part owner of downtown arena
Having the Oklahoma City Thunder star forward and last year’s NBA MVP involved in TD Coliseum could help lure artists and athletes to downtown Hamilton.
www.thespec.com
Yorken Bay
New Member
I could see Thunder training camp + Thunder / Raptors preseason game... heck, maybe a regular season game.Hamilton NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now part owner of downtown arena
Having the Oklahoma City Thunder star forward and last year’s NBA MVP involved in TD Coliseum could help lure artists and athletes to downtown Hamilton.
Feb. 9, 2026 By Scott Radley Hamilton Spectator
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays basketball in an awful lot of arenas around North America.
Now he’s about to become a part owner of one.
Oak View Group announced Monday morning, the Hamilton product is investing in TD Coliseum.
“Becoming part of the ownership group at TD Coliseum is really personal for me,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in a statement released by OVG, which renovated and operates the facility.
“Growing up in Hamilton shaped who I am, so having the opportunity to help build something special in my hometown means everything.”
What does this mean in practical terms?
No, they’re not changing its name to Shai Stadium, though there will be an atrium on the York Boulevard side that’ll be named Ares Atrium after his almost-two-year-old son.
It sounds like the real impact could be in events.
Hamilton NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now part owner of downtown arena
Having the Oklahoma City Thunder star forward and last year’s NBA MVP involved in TD Coliseum could help lure artists and athletes to downtown Hamilton.
Jonny5
Senior Member
Place Bell in Laval is a similar venue (capacity at 10,000) and it has a large sports bar on the ground level that is setup to be accessible without an event ticket, so it's actually open every day. It would be a great addition to have that at the TD Coliseum. There's even a patio space for the summer.
Also you can see the streetscape is done very well there to handle large numbers of people coming and going. The Laval cops actually block off the whole block for any event, which is something they should do in Hamilton too for Bay Street. Block it between all of King and York from 6 p.m. and pedestrianize the whole road.
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Jonny5
Senior Member
The AHL All-Star Classic is this week, starting tomorrow. That means the Board of Governors meeting will be today.
There's a high chance if the rumoured move of the Bridgeport Islanders to Hamilton will happen it will be officially confirmed by tomorrow.