The stated principles on your website claim that you uphold a commitment to truth, thoroughness, and fairness, and that you believe fair and accurate journalism strengthens democracy, making our community resilient and engaged. You contend that every story should prioritize integrity, depth, and fairness.
It is very unfortunate that these principles weren’t applied in your recent editorial regarding the proposed Sports and Entertainment Centre (SEC), which fell short on these values of integrity, fairness, and transparency. The editorial wholly missed the mark on balanced reporting by failing to verify essential facts with the City, omitting key perspectives from all stakeholders, including City representatives. It neglected to reach out to the City for an interview or clarification, leaving readers without a full and balanced view of the actual situation.
To clarify, Brantford City Council’s decision to move forward with the SEC was neither rushed nor uninformed. Over 18 months, Council carefully assessed potential impacts on the city’s growth, economic health, and residents’ needs. Throughout this period, multiple locations were explored, including one adjacent to Highway 403; however, those locations lacked the development potential required to fund the SEC construction. Informed by comparator studies of other communities, Council determined that a downtown location will be far more successful in achieving sustained use, economic benefits, and acting as a catalyst for adjacent developments that generates the property tax base to offset the cost of financing the project. Building on the outskirts of a city usually results in an arena that while it might have excellent parking, does little to generate an increase in the surrounding property tax base. This is the reason why the site for a new proposed arena in Ottawa is not in Nepean but in a downtown location.
Despite the editorial’s assertion, a final decision regarding this initiative has not been made. Council has only approved advancing to the next stage, which allows further assessments, and negotiations, but does not guarantee construction. If conditions, including negotiations with the Bulldogs or anticipated development, do not come to fruition in the City’s best interests, the project will not proceed. Moreover, there will be at least three more public meetings before a final decision to issue an RFP for construction is considered.
The editorial criticizes Council for discussing potential locations for the SEC in closed session, but this approach was necessary to protect the City’s negotiating leverage. Open-session discussions on real estate options would have jeopardized the City’s ability to secure the best possible terms for any site, potentially inflating costs. Choosing a site near the Civic Centre aligns with the City’s goal of revitalizing the downtown, ensuring transit accessibility, and providing a central location that serves the community most effectively.
In response to the implication of insufficient public consultation, the City has proactively engaged the community throughout this process. Since September 2023, SEC discussions have been held in 8 open-session Council meetings, with opportunities for public delegations at each. From December 7, 2023, to January 7, 2024, a comprehensive public engagement campaign included an online survey on Let’s Talk Brantford, yielding 80% support among respondents for the SEC’s positive impact on the city. A Town Hall on December 18 provided an in-person forum to engage residents directly. Feedback was also encouraged via social media posts and emails to communications@brantford.ca. Council’s commitment to an open, transparent process will continue, incorporating resident feedback into ongoing planning as future stages of this initiative unfold.
Concerns over long-term costs and taxpayer impacts ignore the financial planning already in place. Council has structured funding to rely on new property taxes from anticipated downtown developments, aligning revenue and costs responsibly to avoid taxpayer burdens. Negotiations with the Bulldogs are designed to protect the City’s interests in case of ownership changes.
The SEC is not a “shiny object” or rushed initiative; it’s a well thought through investment intended to benefit our community, drive economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for Brantford’s residents. We regret that the misleading editorial mischaracterized the project and Council’s due diligence in consideration of this initiative.
Maria Visocchi, Director, Communications, Community Engagement and Customer Service for the City of Brantford
