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Brantford is about to make one of its biggest decisions of the decade – and it’s a choice that will absolutely leave city residents divided.

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On Tuesday, a report will come before city council detailing further plans for a proposed state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility. That report, available online, indicates that the proposed new venue would be adjacent to the current Brantford and District Civic Centre, on the land beside the current building.

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With the arrival of the Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs, Brantford city council approved a notice of motion in February for staff to develop a comprehensive plan for a new facility.

The plan was to include location options, cost estimates for both capital and operating expenses, a financing strategy and delivery timelines.

On Sept. 7, council received a report from consultant KKR Advisors Ltd. outlining a comprehensive business case assessment that included a market overview, comparative analysis of OHL locations, building costs and prospective building operations.

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That report included many positive points that pointed to potential benefits of a new sports and entertainment facility.

The key takeaway was that an optimal sports and entertainment facility would have 5,000 to 5,300 fixed seats with a projected cost between $115 million to $140 million – excluding land costs, parking, infrastructure improvements and site development costs.

One of the biggest points in the report was that even with the renovations that were completed at the civic centre, OHL hockey would not remain in the city for the long-term.

Tuesday’s report includes illustrations of what the new facility may look like as well as a recommendation for public consultation in December on the proposed location.

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The city will have a tough decision to make. Of course there will be many people who will look at the proposal and insist there is no need for a new arena, especially considering what it will cost taxpayers, not to mention that money is also needed for affordable housing and to combat homelessness.

But this won’t be just an arena, it will be so much more. As a sports and entertainment complex it will provide Brantford with a first-class venue for so many diverse offerings.

Yes, the Brantford Bulldogs will more than likely be the major tenant but the potential to lure other sports teams here that don’t use ice as well as the potential to host concerts, trade shows, wrestling cards, monster truck events or anything else the city can’t currently offer will also be beneficial.

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The number of people in the city’s younger demographic that have to go elsewhere for these events is mind boggling. Venues like Budweiser Gardens in London, the Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener and FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton take our citizens away from the city because they offer what we can’t.

This is a chance for us to not only keep those people in the city for events but to have them remain here as lifelong residents.

For now though, the focus is on the Brantford Bulldogs.

There is no guarantee that after the team’s current agreement with the city ends after three years that the Bulldogs remain in Brantford. However, there are signs pointing toward the fact that the team is ours to lose.

Multiple stories from multiple outlets have indicated that after the renovations at the Bulldogs former home – FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton – are completed, there may not be room for the OHL team to return.

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There has also been some friction between the team and the City of Hamilton. At one point, Bulldogs owner Michael Andlauer pledged $30-million towards a 6,000 seat arena near Limeridge Mall but that proposal was voted down.

Whether or not Andlauer is still interested in contributing to an arena has yet to be determined but if he is, that should certainly ease some Brantford taxpayers’ minds. Phase 3 in the process includes a financing and partnership assessment report back to council in January.

The city and its residents have done an excellent job welcoming the team to Brantford. The Bulldogs are averaging capacity attendance at their games and by all accounts everyone in the organization is thrilled to be here.

The decision on whether or not there will be a place for the Bulldogs in the city and a complex offering bigger and better entertainment options for Brantfordians will be coming sooner rather than later.

And when it is finally made, whatever the outcome, it will shape our city for future generations.

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