I can't find any past dedicated thread on this either. Let's merge if it does exist.
There's been a mixed reaction to this proposal. It was a key platform promise that helped secure significant election support for Mayor Brown.
The vocal opposition is saying:
- The CAA Centre currently in the area is considered a failure with 2 hockey teams (often finished last in division) leaving town. Fears that stadium could see same fate as an expensive white elephant with track record here.
- The location is far away from most Brampton residents further north and difficult to reach by any method, car/transit currently.
- The initial $35M costs will be footed by taxpayers better used on more urgent projects.
The advocates for it state
- The CAA Centre recently secured a winning basketball team (Honey Badgers), which has more popularity than Hockey in the city, there's been an uptick in ethnic events, monthly MMA/boxing cards that can draw in a reasonable 2-3k attendance
- The stadium is multi-use,: Cricket is also extremely popular among the south asian demographics, options for soccer games (Brampton is the soccer capital of Canada based on the National Team). Kabaddi is a "grapple" sport among Punjabi's that could use a home in the city. There's a demand for larger scale summer concert/festival venues which can draw between 10-20k at the fairgrounds, ching park and Go station lots in the past.
- There's millions in Federal Grants setup by a former CPC Brampton Sports Minister Bal Gosal that can be unlocked to foot some of the bill.
- Can attract international matches to the city, good proximity to YYZ and highways.
- A lot of new residents in high density is coming to the new "Uptown" centred nearby. Additional growth around the area could breathe life to the space, The golf Course nearby included in this potential growth.