Hamilton councillors to vote on HECFI recommendations

Hamilton city councillors will vote onstaff recommendations Tuesdayfor the management of Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (HECFI)

The General Issues committee will review a report about the operations of the three HECFI facilities at an afternoon meeting.

Global Spectrum/Live Nation have been recommended to run Copps Colliseum and Hamilton Place. Carmen's Inc., their local partner, has been recommended to operate the Hamilton Convention Centre.

A report from the city manager's office released online lastWednesday revealed the recommendations.

Along with KPMG, city staff weighed three options for HECFI facilities. The second option was management by local company SMG/Forum Equity along with local partner Sonic Unyon. The third was a combination of Carmen's Inc. and the City of Hamilton.

City staff believe that choosing Global Spectrum/Live Nation and Carmen's Inc. to run the facilities will save the city $6.84 million over the next five years.

The report said the recommended partnership provides the lowest operating cost and capital costs to the city of all three management options.

The committee's decision will be ratified by city council at a meeting Wednesday night.