Halifax Metro Centre to become Scotiabank Centre after bank wins naming rights

The Halifax Metro Centre will be renamed the Scotiabank Centre after the bank won the naming and sponsorship rights to the venue.

In the fall, Halifax Regional Council realized it needed help to cover the multi-million-dollar upgrades to the Metro Centre

Scotiabank will spend about $650,000 a year over the next decade, allowing for about $5 million in upgrades to the 10,000-seat venue.

“We just went through an amazing 35-year celebration, which heightened the profile of the building and I think the value, and as a result, we’ve now secured a very significant contribution,” says Trade Centre CEO Scott Ferguson.

“This is going to mean there’s going to be millions of dollars in upgrades to this facility that isn’t going to be paid for by higher ticket prices or taxpayers, and that’s a good thing,” says Mayor Mike Savage.

The Halifax Metro Centre opened its doors in 1978 and has hosted some of the region’s most memorable concerts, artistic performances, and major sporting events. But after 36 years, the venue is showing its age.

About $2.4 million is needed to replace the original seats and it will cost roughly $1 million to add more space to the concession area. The washrooms need to be expanded and renovated, at a cost of $1 million, and about $1.2 million is needed to replace the 37-year-old ice plant system.

“I’d call it a partnership. Over 10 years, this is long term,” says Craig Thompson, senior vice-president of Scotiabank for the Atlantic region. “So it’s not just about the money, it’s about what we’re going to do together.”

The contract is still being finalized. Renovation work will start in the fall, and the Scotiabank Centre sign is expected to go up at that time, before hockey season begins.

While city officials might be excited about the partnership, reactions on the streets of Halifax are mixed.

“I hate it when that happens,” says Ellen Murphy. “I can’t stand it when corporations sort of buy out a business like a stadium and name it…there’s no personality.”

“If it gives it more money and puts some money towards fixing it up, then great,” says Jonathan Lampier.

The city won’t disclose how many bids were made, or how many were under serious consideration.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Amanda Debison