HRM Release:
(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.
