News release

Governments Celebrate Completion of Canada Games Centre

Health and Wellness

The stage is set to welcome Canadian athletes to Halifax with the grand opening of the Canada Games Centre, a multi-purpose training and community recreation facility that will benefit Nova Scotians.

Premier Darrell Dexter joined Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and HRM Mayor Peter Kelly to officially open the new centre, which will be a showcase venue for the Halifax 2011 Canada Games.

"The Canada Games Centre at the Mainland Common is the crown jewel of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games legacy," said Premier Dexter. "Not only will this facility showcase some of Canada's best young athletes, it will also make life better through endless opportunities for Nova Scotians to lead active, healthy lifestyles. The province is proud to have invested in this world-class facility."

"The 2011 Canada Games represent an opportunity for Nova Scotia to mark its place on the national stage," said Mr. MacKay. "The government of Canada is proud to have supported the Canada Games Centre, which will provide a state-of-the-art venue for the Games, a premier sports facility for the community, and a fitness centre that will benefit Nova Scotians for years to come."

Mayor Kelly said the centre is an enormous benefit for the city.

"We are honoured and excited at the prospect of hosting the Canada Games and we welcome the infrastructure legacy with which our community will be endowed," said Mayor Kelly. "The magnificent Canada Games Centre in particular, will provide recreational benefit for residents of all ages and will ensure the spirit of the Games lives on, long after the closing ceremonies."

"The 2011 Games will have a far-reaching legacy and new infrastructure is a big part of it," said Jean-Paul Deveau, chair of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games board of directors. "The Canada Games Centre will provide elite athletes with a state-of-the-art training ground, and will allow community members a chance to be active every day."

After the Games, the centre will be one of Nova Scotia's premier sport facilities, providing opportunities for to host regional and national competitions, increasing tourism and generating business. Programs and services offered will help athletes at all levels reach their performance potential. The facility will also support amateur sports enthusiasts in Nova Scotia by provide opportunities for fitness programs leading to better health and improved performance in areas such as education and social development.

The centre features an eight-lane, 25-metre indoor pool, a leisure pool, a 52,000-square-foot field house, an indoor 200-metre running/walking track and two separate areas for spectators seating 500 people combined, four full-sized gymnasium courts, an 11,500-square-foot health, fitness and wellness centre, a youth centre, several multipurpose rooms, leased space and a café.

On Aug. 6, 2008, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announced a joint contribution of up to $12 million each towards the project. The federal contribution comes from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund. The Halifax Regional Municipality provided the balance of funding, about $20.9 million for the $44.9-million project.