Centre 200

infobox Stadium | stadium_name=Centre 200
location=481 George Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6R7
broke_ground=1985
opened=1987
owner=CBRM
tenants=Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) (1997-present)
Cape Breton Islanders (MJAHL) (1996-1997)
Cape Breton Oilers (AHL) (1988-1996)
Cape Breton Breakers (NBL) (1993-1994)
seating_capacity=Hockey: 4,670
Concerts: up to 6,000

Centre 200 is the main sports and entertainment arena located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, home to the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and the Cape Breton Tradesmen (NSMMHL). Besides ice hockey, the arena holds other events, such as rock concerts, figure skating shows, and other entertainment. The arena has a seating capacity of 4,670 for ice hockey.

History

Notable Events

Centre 200 was the primary sporting venue for the 1987 Canada Winter Games, which first landed the arena on the map.

From 1988 to 1996, the arena housed the American Hockey League's Cape Breton Oilers, until the team moved to Hamilton, Ontario. In 1993, the Oilers won the AHL's Calder Cup.

In 1993 and 1994, the arena was home to the Cape Breton Breakers of the NBL. The NBL folded on July 9, 1994.

The arena hosted the MJAHL's Cape Breton Islanders for the 1996-97 season.

Prior to the 1997-98 QMJHL season, the Granby Prédateurs, winners of the 1996 Memorial Cup, relocated from Granby, Quebec to Sydney, Nova Scotia and were renamed the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. The team, which won a division title in 2003-04, still plays at Centre 200 today.

In March 2000, Centre 200 hosted the 2000 Esso Canadian National Championship for women's ice hockey, during which Ontario defeated Quebec to win the gold medal. Centre 200 hosted the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships with the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The arena is very popular for community ice hockey, annually hosting both the Sydney Academy Blue and White Pepsi Challenge Cup and the Royal Canadian Legion Bantam AAA Challenge Cup. The tournaments and games provide hospitality for teams from all over Nova Scotia and generally draw large crowds. The arena is also home to the Cape Breton Tradesmen of the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League.

Centre 200 hosted the 2008 QMJHL Entry Draft, which was projected to put over $2 million into the Sydney economy. The arena is also being considered to host the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge with the Saint John Sea Dogs of Saint John, New Brunswick.

Aside from ice hockey, Centre 200 has also hosted performances by popular acts such as Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Charlie Pride, Sum 41, Nickelback, Rita MacNeil, The Rankin Family and World Wrestling Entertainment events.

Naming

Centre 200 is named in honour of the two-hundredth anniversary of the founding of Sydney, which took place in 1785. The arena was constructed as a bicentennial project of the municipality, and took the place of the old Sydney Forum.

Location

Centre 200 is located on George Street, which lies in the heart of Sydney. The arena is connected to a Casino Nova Scotia and hosts a Tim Hortons in the middle of its parking lot, generally bringing good business to both venues during a night of hockey. However, the frequent traffic congestion and lack of convenient parking spaces usually draws criticism from the spectators.

External links

* [http://www.centre200.ca Centre 200 Website]
* [http://www.capebretoneagles.com/ Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Website]