11/07/2019
Large Inventory from Renovation of Downtown Hotel to Benefit Community
CANTON, OHIO – November 7, 2019 – Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (“HOFV” or the “Company”), the company that owns the premier sports, entertainment and media enterprise surrounding the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, purchased the McKinley Grand Hotel in downtown Canton last month. HOFV immediately began work on a $21 million makeover of the hotel that is expected to be completed by the 2020 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
HOFV officials reached out to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio to offer the opportunity to receive a vast amount of inventory that includes dressers, lamps, irons, televisions, clocks, desks, chairs, drapes and artwork from all of the guest rooms. In addition, Habitat for Humanity will obtain all restaurant tables and chairs, furniture from the lobby and bar, banquet chairs and office furniture.
A large corps of hundreds of volunteers, of which more than 30 will work on a daily basis over the next two weeks, will retrieve and load the items from the hotel into 53-foot trailers. HOFV will provide lunch to the volunteers each day throughout the process.
“We are pleased that the community will benefit immediately and directly from the renovation of this hotel, which is an important element of downtown’s broader resurgence,” commented HOFV Chief Executive Officer Mike Crawford. “We commend the many community members who have stepped up to volunteer their time to help.”
“We are truly thankful for this wonderful opportunity and for the tangible ways the Hall of Fame Village is utilizing this project to give back to our community while keeping usable items out of the landfill,” stated Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Executive Director Beth Lechner. “To the Hall of Fame Village and to the many individuals, companies, and churches who are volunteering and donating to help complete this project, thank you from all of us at Habitat for Humanity.”
The items removed will be sold at ReStore in Canton, recycled for additional funding, or used for other Habitat projects. In the end, proceeds will directly support revitalizing neighborhoods in the City of Canton through new construction, preservation construction and critical home repair projects. As part of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, ReStore is piloting its Hope ReStored program with a handful of local organizations: Catholic Charities of Portage and Stark Counties, Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton, Domestic Violence Project, YWCA Canton, and 3rd Street Community Church/Martin Center. When families with qualifying needs seek assistance through one of Habitat's Hope ReStored partners, they are offered vouchers to shop at ReStore while maintaining a sense of dignity. The new initiative is already impacting local families, and partner organizations are seeing the benefits as well.
On September 16, 2019, HOFV entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Gordon Pointe Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: GPAQ, GPAQU, GPAQW) that is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019. Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company will change its name to Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and trade on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol “HOFV.”
About Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company
Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village, a development of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. is a multi-use sports, entertainment and media destination centered around the Pro Football Hall of Fame's campus in Canton, Ohio. It provides a themed sports, entertainment and media venue to capitalize on the popularity and fandom associated with professional football and its legendary players. Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. was founded by the Pro Football Hall of Fame through its wholly owned, for profit subsidiary Hall of Fame Village, Inc. and Industrial Realty Group, LLC.
About Gordon Pointe Acquisition Corp.
GPAQ is a special purpose acquisition company formed by Mr. James Dolan. GPAQ raised $125 million in its initial public offering in January of 2018. Additional information can be found at www.gordonpointe.com.
For Information, Contact:
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. Media Inquiries
Pete Fierle, (330) 588-3622
Pete.Fierle@ProFootballHOF.com
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. or Gordon Pointe Investor Inquiries
Jacques Cornet, (646) 277-1285
Jacques.Cornet@icrinc.com
or
Will Swett, (646) 677-1818