Halifax Scotiabank Centre - Halifax, NS
The Halifax Scotiabank Centre: A Hub of Sports and Entertainment
Scotiabank Centre, previously known as Halifax Metro Centre, is a multi-purpose facility located in the heart of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Since its opening on February 17, 1978, the arena has hosted a wide range of sports and performance events. The primary entrances to the arena are located on Brunswick Street, at the corners of Duke Street and Carmichael Street, at the foot of Citadel Hill. The building's box office entrance is located on Carmichael Street.
The Scotiabank Centre is the largest multi-purpose facility in Atlantic Canada. It is owned by the municipality but operated by Events East. In June 2014, the facility was renamed the Scotiabank Centre after Scotiabank won the naming rights. The center officially opened its doors under the new name on September 19, 2014.
The arena is well-known for hosting the QMJHL team, the Halifax Mooseheads. The team has a loyal fan base, and the Scotiabank Centre is always packed with enthusiastic supporters during their games. The center has also hosted many other sports events, including basketball, boxing, and wrestling. In addition, it has been the venue for many high-profile performances, including concerts by Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, Rush, Sarah Brightman, and Gordon Lightfoot.
One of the unique features of the Scotiabank Centre is that it was built into the ground to compensate for the steep elevation of the land it occupies. This design means that viewers can see vehicles at street level, outside, while viewing an event. The arena originally featured a complete ring of bright orange seats around the playing surface area, known as the "lower bowl." It also has an incomplete "upper bowl" on each side of the arena, facing rink-side (court-side), with seats of the same color.
Over the years, there have been several renovations to the Scotiabank Centre, including the addition of 43 SkyBoxes and 11 "Executive Suites" in the mid to late 1990s. While the addition of the SkyBoxes has partly obscured views for people sitting high up in the upper bowl, video projection equipment has been installed to project onto the outside rear walls of the boxes. This equipment helps people in obstructed parts of the upper bowl see the event more clearly.
In 2002-03, in preparation for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, a new scoreboard and "SilverVision" LED screens were added. The arena concourses feature pictures of the various events that have taken place at the Scotiabank Centre, with one side featuring entertainment events and the other featuring sporting events. The arena currently has a seating capacity of 10,595 for ice hockey.
One issue with the Scotiabank Centre is the significant lack of legroom. The rows are tightly packed together, which can make for an uncomfortable experience. However, the food and beverage choices at the arena are excellent, with popular options such as King of Donair available. Additionally, the Sports Hall of Fame section is worth visiting, as it features the banged-up clothes dryer from Sidney Crosby's household home.
In recent years, the Scotiabank Centre has undergone several renovations to improve the fan experience. From January to September 2015, the facility renovated the concessions, including Taste 902, Asian, Links, and Donairs. The restrooms were also refurbished, and the original orange seats were replaced with new navy blue ones. The original roof was replaced with a thermoplastic membrane between 2016 and 2017. In the summer of 2018, the original ice-level concrete floor and cooling system were replaced.
The Scotiabank Centre is a vital part of Halifax's sports and entertainment scene. It has hosted numerous high-profile events and concerts over the years, drawing large crowds from all over Atlantic Canada. Despite some concerns about legroom and obstructed views, the facility continues to provide an enjoyable experience for visitors. With ongoing renovations and improvements, it looks set to remain a cornerstone of the community for years to come.
If you’re planning a trip to the Halifax Scotiabank Centre, there are a few resources that can help you make the most of your visit. The Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre is a great place to start. They have six locations throughout the province, including one in Halifax, where you can drop in for information on Nova Scotia’s travel experiences. Their friendly and knowledgeable travel counsellors and tourism ambassadors can help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Halifax.
Another useful resource is the Tourism Nova Scotia website. Here you can find information on visitor centres, travel guides, and top attractions and experiences throughout the province.