Centre 200 facts for kids
Centre 200 in 2022
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 Centre 200
Location in Nova Scotia
Centre 200
Location in Canada
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| Address | 481 George Street Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6R7 |
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| 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) |
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Centre 200 is a major sports and entertainment building in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It is the main place for big events on Cape Breton Island. This awesome venue is home to the Cape Breton Eagles, a junior ice hockey team. They play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Besides exciting hockey games, Centre 200 hosts many other fun events. You can see rock concerts, amazing figure skating shows, and even cool antique car displays. The arena has a clear view for sports, seating about 5,000 people. For concerts, it can hold up to 6,500 fans. There's also a large space for exhibits, perfect for different kinds of shows.
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Centre 200: A Look Back at Its History
Centre 200 was built as a special project to celebrate Sydney's 200th birthday. It opened its doors in early 1987. The very first big event was a concert by the famous musician Bryan Adams.
Early Days and Big Events
Centre 200 was a key spot for the 1987 Canada Winter Games. It hosted the opening ceremonies, which were attended by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
From 1988 to 1996, the arena was home to a professional hockey team. These were the Cape Breton Oilers from the American Hockey League (AHL). In 1993, the Oilers won the Calder Cup championship right here at Centre 200!
The arena also hosted basketball. The Cape Breton Breakers played here in 1993 and 1994. They were part of the National Basketball League.
Home of the Cape Breton Eagles
Since 1997, Centre 200 has been the home of the Cape Breton Eagles. This team moved from Quebec and quickly became a local favorite. Many future National Hockey League stars have played here. Famous players like Sidney Crosby, Marc-André Fleury, and Vincent Lecavalier all skated at Centre 200.
Hosting National and International Sports
Centre 200 has hosted many important hockey events. In 2000, it held the Canadian National Championship for women's ice hockey. It also helped host the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. This was a big international tournament.
The arena is also popular for local hockey tournaments. It hosts the Sydney Academy Blue and White Pepsi Challenge Cup. It also holds the Royal Canadian Legion Bantam AAA Challenge Cup. These events bring teams from all over Nova Scotia.
In 2008, Centre 200 hosted the QMJHL Entry Draft. This event brought many visitors and helped the local economy. It also hosted a game for the 2008 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.
Concerts and Entertainment
Beyond sports, Centre 200 has welcomed many famous performers. Bands like Rush and Metallica have played here. Music legends such as Elton John and Celine Dion have also performed. Other stars include Rod Stewart and Nickelback. The arena has also hosted World Wrestling Entertainment events.
Recent Renovations and Events
In 2009, Centre 200 received major upgrades. These included a new video scoreboard and luxury boxes. These changes made the building even better for fans.
In 2013 and 2014, Centre 200 was one of the host arenas for the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. Team USA won that exciting tournament.
More recently, Centre 200 hosted the 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. This is Canada's national women's curling competition. It also hosted the 2024 World Women's Curling Championship.
Why Is It Called Centre 200?
The name Centre 200 celebrates a special anniversary. It honors the 200th birthday of Sydney, which happened in 1785. The original plan was for a much larger building. It was even going to be called "Centre 2000." However, due to funding, a slightly smaller venue was built.
Where to Find Centre 200
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 nearby. This brings lots of people to the area, especially during events. Sometimes, though, there can be a lot of traffic and not enough parking.
