Centre 200 facts for kids
 |
|
| Address | 481 George Street Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6R7 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°08′15″N 60°11′25″W / 46.13750°N 60.19028°W |
| Owner | CBRM |
| Capacity | Hockey: ~5,000 Concerts: up to 6,500 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1985 |
| Opened | 1987 |
| Tenants | |
| Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) (1997–present) Cape Breton Islanders (MHL) (1996–1997) Cape Breton Oilers (AHL) (1988–1996) Cape Breton Breakers (NBL) (1993–1994) Cape Breton Highlanders (NBL Canada) (2016–2019) |
|
Centre 200 is the main sports and entertainment building on Cape Breton Island. It is located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. This arena is the home of the Cape Breton Eagles, a team in the QMJHL.
Besides ice hockey, Centre 200 hosts many other fun events. You can see rock concerts, figure skating shows, and even cool antique car shows here. The arena has a clear view for sports, seating about 5,000 people. For concerts, it can hold up to 6,500 fans!
Contents
History of Centre 200
Centre 200 was built as a special project to celebrate Sydney's 200th birthday. It was built where an old building called the Sydney Forum used to be. The arena first opened in early 1987. Its very first big event was a concert by the famous musician Bryan Adams.
Sports Teams and Championships
From 1988 to 1996, Centre 200 was home to a professional hockey team called the Cape Breton Oilers. They played in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 1993, the Oilers won the Calder Cup championship! This was a huge win, and the arena was packed with cheering fans.
For a short time in 1993 and 1994, the arena also hosted a basketball team. They were called the Cape Breton Breakers and played in the National Basketball League (NBL).
In 1996, another hockey team, the Cape Breton Islanders, played here for one season. Then, in 1997, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles moved to Sydney. They became the main team at Centre 200 and are still there today! Many future National Hockey League stars have played at Centre 200. These include famous players like Sidney Crosby, Marc-André Fleury, and Vincent Lecavalier.
Major Sporting Events Hosted
Centre 200 has hosted many important sports events. In March 2000, it held the Esso Women's Nationals, which is Canada's national championship for women's ice hockey.
In 2003, Centre 200 was one of the host arenas for the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. This is a big international tournament for young hockey players. The arena is also very popular for local hockey. It hosts annual tournaments like the Sydney Academy Blue and White Pepsi Challenge Cup. These events bring teams from all over Nova Scotia and draw large crowds.
In 2008, Centre 200 hosted the QMJHL Entry Draft. This event helps local businesses by bringing in many visitors. The arena also hosted a game for the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge in November 2008.
In 2013 and 2014, Centre 200 was a host arena for the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. This is another exciting international hockey tournament for young players.
In February 2019, Centre 200 hosted the 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. This is Canada's national women's curling competition.
Concerts and Entertainment
Besides sports, Centre 200 is a popular spot for concerts and shows. Many famous artists and groups have performed here. These include Rush, Metallica, Elton John, The Tragically Hip, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, and Nickelback.
The arena has also hosted events from World Wrestling Entertainment. Local artists like Rita MacNeil and The Rankin Family have also performed here.
Renovations and Improvements
In 2009, Centre 200 received major upgrades. Money for these improvements came from the government and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles team. The renovations included a new video scoreboard and new seating areas. These changes helped make the building even better for fans.
Why the Name "Centre 200"?
Centre 200 is named to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Sydney's founding. Sydney was founded in 1785. The original idea was for a much bigger building, but the plans changed.
Location and Nearby Attractions
Centre 200 is located on George Street, right in the middle of Sydney. It is connected to a Casino Nova Scotia, which was added in 1995. There is also a Tim Hortons restaurant in the parking lot. These nearby places often get busy when there's an event at Centre 200.
Sometimes, it can be tricky to find parking or deal with traffic around the arena. But overall, it's a great place for sports and entertainment in Cape Breton!
