WATCH ABOVE: Downtown Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre is getting new seating and concessions just in time to play host to the Canadian Country Music Awards. Global’s Ray Bradshaw gets a preview.
HALIFAX – The Scotiabank Centre in downtown Halifax has been undergoing some much needed renovations this summer. The facility has been getting some final touches this week, just in time for it’s first major event since the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in late June.
That first event is the Canadian Country Music Association Awards on Sunday night.
“Talk about a wonderful and recognized event,” said Scott Ferguson, President and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, “you couldn’t bite off a bigger event than that.”
The first thing you notice when you enter the Scotiabank Centre are the new blue seats. The old orange seats were installed when the building opened in 1978. Now, in less than two months, all 10, 073 seats have been replaced.
“We found the best product that we could, so the padding is a lot different of course,” said Ferguson. “We have padding both on the seat, as well as the back, and our upper bowl seats – previously they were only plastic – are totally padded.”
Something the old seats didn’t have – cup holders – are in every seat. The risers for the lower seats were also replaced. Now retractable, they allow floor space to be doubled for trade shows.
The renovations didn’t stop there. Washrooms have been added, and new larger sinks allow several people to wash their hands at the same time.
“We’ve essentially doubled the size of the washrooms,” said Ferguson, “so you can get in and get out very quickly. We’ve doubled capacity. We have all new equipment throughout.”
Scotiabank contributed $7.5-million for naming rights last year, which has been used for the renovations. The seats alone were $2.9 million.
A large opening in the floor on third floor has been filled, adding 2000 square feet of space. That’s where the new ‘King Club Lounge’ is located with several concession stands.
“We wanted to make sure that people in Halifax got what they were looking for,” said James Demjan, the General Manager of Centerplate, which has taken over as the operator of the concessions.
There are local food favorites like donairs, including a Moosehead Signature Donair.
“Apparently donair is the food to be, in this great city,” said Demjan.
There’s also asian food, a seafood delight – the lobster roll, pulled pork sandwiches, and foot-long hot dogs – all locally made.
“It’s a win, win combination,” said Demjan.
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