New Release
BMO Centre Opens Officially; 4 New Ice Surfaces for the Region
(Monday, November 8, 2010) - The largest sport-and-recreation centre of its kind in Eastern Canada officially opened its doors tonight in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Mayor Peter Kelly, MLA Mat Whynott, Councillor Tim Outhit, BMO VP Nova Scotia District Laura Charlton, Gavin White VP of Project Development with Nustadia Recreation and others were on hand to cut the ribbon at the $40-million BMO Centre, located on the Hammonds Plains Road. The state-of-the-art building contains four NHL-sized ice surfaces which are expected to be in big demand, particularly by hockey, ringette and skating enthusiasts throughout the municipality.
Mayor Kelly described the facility as an integral part of HRM’s efforts to encourage a healthy, sustainable, vibrant community.
“This centre will be a year-round focal point for the community and will be a beehive of activity,” he said.
The Mayor said early indications are that users will make more than a million visits in the facility’s first year of operation. He also stressed that the BMO Centre was developed as a resource for the entire municipality.
MLA for Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville, Mat Whynott, representing Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, said "The BMO Centre provides residents with more ice time and safe, modern facilities to be active," said Mr. Whynott. "The province is proud to support projects that are making life better for families in every region."
Laura Charlton, Vice-President, Nova Scotia District, BMO Bank of Montreal commented “My BMO Colleagues and I are extremely fortunate and proud to support the BMO Centre. This is one more way of BMO demonstrating our commitment to HRM where we have been doing business and contributing to community life since 1867.”
In addition to the four ice pads, the BMO Centre includes ample change rooms; a spacious foyer; a large multi-purpose room; a sport retail store; food and beverage services; and administration offices. Conveniently located, the building is readily accessible and offers free parking. The BMO Centre is expected to be a hub of nonstop sports and community activities four seasons of the year.
The arena complex is owned by the Halifax Regional Municipality and will be operated by Nustadia Recreation. Visit www.hrm4pad.ca for more information.
With its innovative, environmentally friendly technologies and practices, the BMO Centre has been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standards.
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Contacts:
Mayor Peter Kelly, Phone - 490-4010
Councillor Tim Outhit (District 21 - Bedford), Phone -490- 5679
Betty Lou Killen, HRM Community Development - Phone - 490-4833
Andrew Preeper, Health Promotion and Protection (Province) - Phone - 424-5323
