Halifax Metro Centre Celebrates 35 Years
The Halifax Metro Centre is celebrating 35 years of attracting and hosting world-class events today, Feb. 18. Over the course of its history, the facility has drawn more than 15 million visitors and hosted over 5,000 events.
"The Halifax Metro Centre has attracted countless events and visitors over 35 years, showcasing Nova Scotia to the world," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "Congratulations to the Metro Centre on this significant achievement and its many contributions to growing Nova Scotia's economy and helping build our $2-billion tourism industry."
The Halifax Metro Centre held its first concert, Gordon Lightfoot, on Feb. 18, 1978. Since then, the facility has been host to hundreds of legendary musical performers, local acts, top-ranked sports teams and special events.
"The Metro Centre has played an important role in bringing the citizens of Halifax Regional Municipality together and developing our reputation for being a world-class host city," said HRM Mayor Mike Savage. "This milestone gives us an opportunity to reflect with a great deal of pride on the events we've hosted over 35 years and look forward to the many exciting events to come."
Scott Ferguson, president and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, the Crown corporation that manages the Metro Centre, said it is very exciting to be celebrating this milestone year.
"This facility has been Atlantic Canada's showcase for major recording artists, professional sports teams and musical productions," said Mr. Ferguson. "As we look back over the years and remember the standout events that have happened in our city, most of them have happened here at the Metro Centre.
"We're very proud of the events we have and continue to attract over the years, so this is an opportunity to engage the community and all the people who have supported our success for the past 35 years," said Ferguson.
A year-long program kicks off this week in celebration of the anniversary. Contests, visual displays, customer experience enhancements and opportunities for the public to share their memories of the Metro Centre are planned.
In addition, the Metro Centre will offer complimentary adult noon skating for the rest of the season. A detailed schedule of noon skating times is available at www.halifaxmetrocentre.com .