FirstOntario Centre is a husk of its former self, but it won’t be for long.
Renovations at the arena are “on schedule,” and “on time,” according to one of the project managers overseeing the $280 million renovation.
Currently, the interior is stripped down to the concrete form.
On Monday, workers could be seen using a blow-torch to remove the final bits of left-over material from facility.
Those who have visited the arena for a concert or sporting event would hardly recognize it, and the same can be said about the project come its completion, according to Bill Cranney, a spokesperson from the group facilitating the renovation.
He says the concourses are being completely reimagined, with workers busy creating more open spaces that he says will significantly improve crowd flow and make entering and exiting the arena much easier for fans.
READ MORE: Renovations on the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton is part-way through
The project is expected to wrap in November 2025, on a day with a “great concert and a lot of happy Hamiltonians,” Paul Young, one of the projects leads said.