Re: Article “Time to start planning new arena: Barbeau,” which appeared in the Sept. 27 edition of Northern Life.
Sudbury needs not just a new arena but a multipurpose facility like the Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. A better comparison might be the Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, which is an obstruction-free arena which seats 5,000.
It has two concourse areas of 3,000 and 7,000 square feet for meetings and convention purposes, seating up to 650, plus smaller 100-person meeting rooms.
The main arena area has 17,000 square feet with another 3,000 square feet with the removal of the telescopic seating, which can accommodate larger conventions and other special events.
As a concert venue, the “Vari-Theatre” allows for variable seating from 500 to 6500 people, with a professional lighting and theatre sound system. Included is a kitchen that can serve up to 1,000 people at a time.
Whether for hockey, other sports, conventions, concerts or exhibitions, the facility continues to operate at a profit, something to consider when Sudbury looks for a new facility to serve all elements of our community.
Those interested can find out more by going to centre200.ca.
John Lindsay
Greater Sudbury
