Halifax Metro Centre naming rights awarded to Scotiabank

The Halifax Metro Centre is getting a new name, courtesy of Scotiabank.

A multimillion-dollar deal to change the arena’s name to Scotiabank Centre was announced at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Scotiabank will pay $650,000 per year for 10 years for the naming rights. It will partner with the city on more than $5 million in facility upgrades, including seating, concession areas and washrooms.

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“The Metro Centre is the premier venue where our community gathers to celebrate and be entertained,” said Halifax mayor Mike Savage.

Renovations will start in this fall and are scheduled to be complete in three years.

Scott Ferguson, the president and CEO of Trade Centre Ltd., said the money to renovate is “crucial” in order to “continue to deliver great events to the people of our community”.

The Metro Centre was opened on Feb. 17, 1978, and is home to the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Halifax Rainmen of the National Basketball League of Canada.