City of Moncton looks at future of 40-year-old Coliseum

MONCTON – The City of Moncton is looking for ways they can repurpose the city’s 40-year-old Coliseum Complex should the construction of a new downtown events centre become a reality.

The CEO of Enterprise Greater Moncton says the Coliseum and a new downtown events centre could survive if there’s enough business to support both facilities.

“If you see there’s a business case to be made and a demand to have more trade shows 12 months year it could be economically viable,” said CEO Ben Champoux. “The economic spin-offs of having so many trade shows could offset the operating costs.”

The Coliseum was built in 1973 and can hold just over 7,000 people. It’s home to the city’s hockey and basketball teams. But the building’s Events and Services Manager says the Coliseum is in desperate need of upgrades.

“For example there’s no air conditioning,” said Nicole Myers. “We’re really restricted for some of the bigger acts coming through because of the ceiling heights.”

The City of Moncton wants to build a new events centre in the downtown. The $112-million dollar project is expected to be big enough to attract larger shows to the city’s downtown.

Champoux says the new centre is key to the city’s future.

“We need a downtown centre to continue to build on the reputation of the entertainment hub of the Maritimes,” he said.

As for the future of the Coliseum, Myers believes it’s a great fit for trade shows.

“The main business for the centre would be trade shows,” she said. “We have the biggest piece of the pie for the Atlantic region.”

People who have used the Coliseum in the past say the building can still be used even with an events centre.

“This is a fairly good centre here and it looks in fairly good shape and you could get a lot of hockey teams for the kids and everything,” said Walter Damon.

The city is asking residents to offer their suggestions for the Coliseum’s future.