Funding campaign underway for Centre 200 renovation

More than 100 people filled the foyer of Centre 200 to hear and support a plan to renovate the building. We need to modernize the facility to keep up with what's happening in the rest of the country, and there's an opportunity for that right now, and I think it's for us a chance to take advantage of it. The price tag, $100 million, which will include a curling rink, new seating, and more event space. The mayor of the CBRM says there's federal money available after the prime minister allocated billions of dollars toward cultural infrastructure and community ice rinks. It's important we get out there and identify our project as a priority within Atlantic Canada that will complement announcements recently in St. John, New Brunswick and Charlottetown, PEI. The municipality launched a promotional video to gather public support for the project. It's our turn to take a 40-year-old tired facility that has over $28 million in deferred work into the project that is necessary. That deferred maintenance needs a capital plan. Why not put that money to leverage the provincial and federal dollars so we have a legacy to leave to future generations. And that's it, Canada. The home of NIMP is your Canadian... Sydney is no stranger to hosting national events. The World Women's Curling Championships were held at Centre 200 in 2024, and another major curling event will be in the building mid-November. But manager Paul McDonald says changes are needed to attract more. Increasing our seating is important, and also your premium seating and those type of corporate seats are important as well to, quite frankly, pay for the event. So where we are now, we're okay. But I think with this modernization, it will put us in much better shape. The goal now is to secure the money before a timeline for the project can be discussed. Kyle Moore, CBC News, Sydney.