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Hockey HistoryFlights of Fancy – the 1979 Harbor Place proposal It seemed like a perfect scenario for bringing major league hockey to a major league facility in Hamilton. In February of 1979 plans were unveiled for a $22 million multi-use arena on a 23-acre parcel of land at the foot of James Street north. Originally to be called Harbor Place, this facility on the Hamilton waterfront was to feature 12,500 seats and an international ice surface. The building was to house trade shows and conventions also. The proposal was put forth by the Hamilton Harbor Commission, which was basically donating the $1 million parcel of land to the city for a fee of $1 per year. As enticement, then Federal Sports Minister Iola Campagnola said that Hamilton could receive a $5 million grant contingent on the city acquiring an NHL franchise. The city said it would start proceeding for provincial funds from Queens Park, and the Hamilton Board of Control said it would match the $5 million offer from Ottawa. But there were some problems, including a lack of details about the facility. Car parking, which was limited to 1200 cars, was also considered an issue. But Harbor Commission Chairman John Agro was optimistic. “The pulse of Hamilton can be made to beat again,” he said to council at the time. “I hope this match we are offering you will ignite the bonfire Hamilton needs.” Mayor Jack McDonald countered that there would be other proposals from interested business groups, but did not elaborate. “There will be other proposals and we will be obliged to look at them,” he said. “I can assure co-operation in getting everyone together and analyzing all the details.” McDonald added he would be getting in touch with Toronto Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard to discuss territorial rights in establishing a new franchise so close to Hamilton. The Hamilton Board of Control and the Harbor Commission agreed to name the facility Copps Coliseum. But the bickering and squabbling started soon after. Alderman
Bill McCulloch was not impressed with the manner of the proposal,
citing secrecy and a lack of civic input into the project: Council sent the proposal to the Parks and Recreation Committee for further study. In March of 1979 there was talk of the Colorado Rockies coming to Hamilton. At the time, the Rockies had the lowest attendance in the NHL, but any move out of Denver was denied by then-Rockies president Armand Pohan. Not to be deterred, the city received the positive view from the Alan Eagleson sports management company. Eagleson consultant Bill Watters said Hamilton would be a natural for an NHL club. “There’s no question in my mind of the success of a franchise in Hamilton,” he was quoted as saying. “One of the strongest points from my standpoint is that Hamilton is a great sports city,” adding that the city would benefit from a large fan base in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara, and Golden Horseshoe areas. But all was not well at the Harbor Commissioner building. The commissioners were fighting about the proposal, had never approved the plan officially, and were in the dark on several issues. To make matters worse, the city turned down the Federal grant of $5 million, calling the funds an election ploy. By May of 1980 the latest in the line of major arena proposals was a dead issue. The Spectator’s Bob Hanley was not amused about how this arena proposal was handled by the city, and let loose with both barrels in a piece he wrote May 9, 1980, entitled “One more time Hamilton blows its big chance.” “Calgary is about to have the big new rink and the NHL franchise which were handed to Hamilton on a platter several months ago, and we should all be dismayed and distressed that the offer was thwarted and the opportunity obstructed by occupant of the Main Street Asylum for power-mad semi competents. “John Agro and John Munro presented the best arena proposal yet. The Harbor Commission was giving the property and the Federal government was giving one-third of the rink cost. When the idea was canned by Hamilton City Council, its committees and agencies, Calgary fought for and held tight to the same Ottawa commitment, on which its new rink will now proceed.” Citing political maneuvering at several levels, Hanley said the
franchise would have happened. He also mentioned Ballard was agreeable
with the territorial rights in exchange for improvements to Ivor
Wynn Stadium for his Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
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