HEALTH PROMOTION/PROTECTION--BMO Centre Opens

Families in HRM will have more opportunities to lead active, healthy lives now that the largest sport and recreation centre of its kind in Eastern Canada has officially opened in Bedford.

MLA Mat Whynott, on behalf of Health Promotion and Protection Minister Maureen MacDonald, joined Mayor Peter Kelly, Councillor Tim Outhit, Laura Charlton, BMO vice-president, Nova Scotia District and Gavin White, Nustadia Recreation vice-president of Project Development at a ceremony today, Nov. 8, at the new centre.

"The BMO Centre provides residents with more ice time and safe, modern facilities to be active," said Mr. Whynott. "The province is proud to support projects that are making life better for families in every region."

The BMO Centre is a $40 million complex that includes four NHL-sized ice pads. The province, through the Department of Health Promotion and Protection, contributed $2 million to the project.

Mayor Kelly described the facility as an integral part of HRM's efforts to encourage a healthy, sustainable, vibrant community.

"This centre will be a year-round focal point for the community and will be a beehive of activity."

"My BMO colleagues and I are extremely fortunate and proud to support the BMO Centre. This is one more way of BMO demonstrating our commitment to HRM where we have been doing business and contributing to community life since 1867," said Laura Charlton, vice-president, Nova Scotia District, BMO Bank of Montreal."

Early indications are that users will make more than a million visits to the centre in the first year of operation. The facility is expected to draw users from the entire municipality.

In addition to four ice pads, the BMO Centre includes change rooms, a spacious foyer, a large multi-purpose room, a sport retail store, food and beverage services and administration offices. The BMO Centre has been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver standards, with innovative, environmentally friendly technologies and practices.

Visit www.hrm4pad.ca for more information.