It's a capacity thing
I've talked to the tournament directors there and they've told me that the AC units (yes, plural) are residential ones that aren't capable of moving enough air to properly cool the building.
Just as a guess, I'd figure each is suitable to cool a 2500 sq ft home. At 12 ft ceilings, that's enough cooling for 60,000 cubic ft.
Hard Times is probably around 15,000 sq ft with 25 ft ceilings. That's 375,000 cubic ft; over 600% the capacity of the AC units.
So it's not only that the owner is too much of a nit to turn the AC on, it's that he's too much of a nit to pay for the capital improvements necessary to provide his customers with minimally bearable conditions.
Honestly, if it wasn't for the efforts of Dave Hemmah, Marielle Lim and Al Romero, I'd never step foot into the place.
Taek