((HT: The Star/McGran))Jim Balsillie today released details of a plan to have one of the world's leading architecture firms renovate Hamilton's Copps Coliseum ((pictured, thanks TheSpec)).
The NHL has indicated that Copps is not up to league standards and Balsillie is moving to counter that point.
The BlackBerry billionaire would foot the bill for initial upgrades, estimated at about $30 million, to get the arena ready for a team. But when it comes to a long term overhaul of the city-owned facility, which could cost upwards of $150 million, he'd ask Hamilton to seek government assistance to cover the balance.
Among the features are an atrium-style entrance lobby, a range of luxury boxes, new lounges and restaurants, food and bar amenities and capacity for more than 18,000 spectators.
The Balsillie group says the design fully addresses requirements the NHL has previously communicated for Copps Coliseum.The design is by one of the world's leading sports facility architectural firms, BBB Architects and its subsidiary group, Stadium Consultants International, which is also currently working on renovations at Madison Square Garden (home of the New York Rangers) and Nassau County Coliseum (home of the New York Islanders).
"This would be a jaw-dropper of an attraction for Hamilton," said the City's mayor, Fred Eisenberger in a press release from the group. "What I've seen would make the new Copps Coliseum a magnet for sports fans and concert-goers across Ontario and North America. It would be a tremendous new asset for our city, and a major part of the revitalization of downtown Hamilton."
Meanwhile, the NHL is expected to respond today to calls for an emergency hearing on its timetable for franchise relocation and documents related to Balsillie's previous attempt to buy NHL teams.
With time of the essence, the lawyers for Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes are seeking a hearing by June 3 if the NHL doesn't turn over the documents to give them time to prepare for the June 9 on the issue of relocation.
Moyes' wants find out how the NHL handled previous transfers of the Quebec Nordiques to Colorado, Hartford Whalers to Carolina and Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix.
"This information is relevant and pertinent to the issues to be briefed on June 5," said Tim Danninger, one of Moyes' lawyers, in an email to the league.
The NHL has said it's too late to move the Coyotes to Hamilton in time for next season, but the Moyes lawyers are hoping to build a case – using the NHL's own documents – to prove to judge Redfield Baum that it's never too late.
In an email including in last night's court filings, NHL lawyer Alan Meda called Danninger's request irrelevant: "the issue before the court is whether the Coyotes and/or Mr. Balsillie have the unfettered right to relocate the team to any city without the consent of the NHL (and not) previous efforts of Mr. Balsillie to acquire an NHL team, previous relocation decisions."
Balsillie has said he wants the team in his possession – with the right to move it to Hamilton – by the end of June or he'd withdraw his $212.5 million (U.S.) offer.
For those of you who want to see all of the new, pretty, shiny Copps Coliseum images- go here...
The Hamilton Spectator version of events is in black here...
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