The Centennial Arena project is an initiative to transform the former ice rink into Legends Arena - a solar powered sports and cultural complex for court sports. Outside of hockey, Cape Breton does not have a community sports centre that provides youth with access to programs related to organized sports.
The Closing of Centennial Arena:
More than 10 years ago, with the incoming Membertou Sport & Wellness Centre, CBRM made the decision to permanently close Centennial Arena. Since that time, it remained under CBRM management with no specific purpose. On occasion, some activates took place but the operational costs of the old building remained exceedingly high.
With talks of demolition, Tomorrow's Legends made a presentation to council to acquire the arena for the purpose of providing youth across Cape Breton with greater opportunities through sports.
Project Timeline
Our ambassadors, stakeholders, partners, parents and athletes are able to follow our progress.
2020
November 5, 2020
Tomorrow's Legends founder meets with sporting community, parents and athletes on formally establishing a not-for-profit organization to help youth in the community gain opportunities through organized sports.
December 10 , 2020
Tomorrow's Legends founder seeks legal representation to incorporate.
2021
January 7, 2021
Ambassadorship program that started prior to the formal establishment of Tomorrow's Legends is being solidified.
February 17, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends becomes a registered not-for-profit organization under the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act.
March 13, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends forges community partnership with Breton Green Solutions on building a solar energy plan for the heating and lighting of Centennial Arena
June 5, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends begins work on preparing proposals and applications for potential funding opportunities pertaining to solar energy for commercial buildings. Consultation with Breton Green Solutions.
August 1, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends completes preparation of primary business documents and implementation of necessary technologies, positioning the organization as ready to proceed with formal presentation to CBRM mayor and council.
September 1, 2021
Breton Green Solutions, brings in a new community partner, Source Atlantic, to provide expertise in solar energy planning, installations, implementation and support.
October 27, 2021
Breton Green Solutions, talks to CBRM councilor to provide information with respect to a Centennial Arena acquisition.
October 28, 2021
Breton Green Solutions, submits written request to CBRM mayor requesting a meeting to discuss the Centennial Arena project
October 28, 2021
Breton Green Solutions, contacts the CBRM Clerk's Office in support of making a formal presentation to mayor and council.
November 1, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends conducts interview with CBC Radio on the proposed Centennial Arena project.
November 1, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends goodwill ambassador contacts CBRM councillor to formally introduce the Centennial Arena proposal on behalf of the organization.
November 2, 2021
CBRM councillor acknowledges receipt of message and arranges for a meeting regarding the proposed project. The meeting takes place and a broader understanding of the proposal is obtained.
November 3, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends met with representatives from the Province of Nova Scotia regarding a potential acquisition of Centennial Arena and subsequent funding opportunities for youth sports. It was determined that an acquisition should occur prior to formally submitting funding applications.
November 13, 2021
CBC reaches out to CBRM as part of preparing its article from its November 1st interview. CBRM spokesperson indicates that CBRM is not aware of any proposal or discussions with CBRM officials regarding a Centennial Arena project.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cbrm-arena-basketball-sports-indoor-1.6247195
November 13, 2021
CBC publishes story regarding the partnership between Tomorrow's Legends and Breton Green Solutions on preparing a formal proposal to CBRM for the acquisition of Centennial Arena.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cbrm-arena-basketball-sports-indoor-1.6247195
November 17, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends submits business plan for the proposed Centennial Arena project to CBRM via support staff. Receipt of plan acknowledged.
November 18, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends, Breton Green Solutions and Source Atlantic have virtual meeting with CBRM senior staff regarding proposal. CBRM not prepared to have Tomorrow's Legends present to council regarding the proposed project but did agree to an MOU to be used to potential early round funding.
November 29, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends submitted an application for funding for a technical study to be done on solar heating for Centennial Arena.
November 29, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends contacts CBRM councillor reiterating the desire to make a formal presentation to council regarding the proposed project.
November 30, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends receives word from CBRM councillor that CBRM did not receive any formal request for a formal presentation despite seven requests - both written and oral.
November 30, 2021
CBRM clerk's office confirms receipt of request for a formal presentation to mayor and council.
November 30, 2021
CBRM contacted Tomorrow's Legends confirming receipt of request for presentation
December 6, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends advises to make another written request to make a formal presentation to CBRM mayor and council.
December 8, 2021
CBRM senior staff informs Tomorrow's Legends that funding applications and subsequent approval should be obtained prior to any presentation to council.
December 15, 2021
Tomorrow's Legends speaks with Sierra Planning & Management regarding a study being conducted for CBRM for a possible addition to C200. Discussions surrounding youth sports and how a Legends project would potentially impact such an expansion.
2022
January 27, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends makes another request to present to mayor and council advising clerk's office that applications for fundings cannot be submitted by Tomorrow's Legends for an asset it does not own. A meeting is requested in order to determine where CBRM officially stands on a potential acquisition.
January 28, 2022
CBRM senior staff agrees to a virtual meeting to discuss proposed project details prior to making a presentation to mayor and council.
February 10, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends reaches agreement with Source Atlantic to provide ongoing expertise regarding solar energy, heating and lighting for Centennial Arena. SA to help conducts the necessary studies to determine viability and sustainability.
February 14, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends advises CBRM staff that a single fund pertaining to solar energy and low carbon emissions is not approved due to the lack of an agreement pertaining to the transfer of ownership of Centennial Arena. Legends also indicates that making application to several funds that are potentially available will not be successful without a formal stance on the Centennial Arena acquisition.
February 23, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends, Breton Green Solutions and Source Atlantic meet at Centennial Arena to conduct a site analysis in preparation of a solar energy technical study.
February 24, 2022
Breton Green Solutions and Source Atlantic return to Centennial Arena to conduct additional analysis in preparation of a solar energy technical study.
March 18, 2022
Documents submitted by Tomorrow's Legends to CBRM clerk's office in lead up to the April 26th presentation to mayor and council. Business plan and technical information pertaining to a solar energy implementation provided.
April 8, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends receives written confirmation from CBRM clerk's office that presentation to mayor and council to take place April 26th.
April 26, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends make formal presentation to CBRM council
April 26, 2022
Saltwire publishes article pertaining to the public presentation made to council
April 26, 2022
CBRM council asks CBRM staff to prepare an issue paper for May 24th regarding a recommendation on transferring Centennial Arena to Tomorrow's Legends.
May 24, 2022
Deadline for council to receive issue paper from staff passes with no communication with Tomorrow's Legends.
May 26, 2022
CBRM Recreation contacts Tomorrow's Legends to begin working on issue paper.
May 31, 2022
Meeting held with CBRM Recreation to discuss the potential acquisition of Centennial Arena. A request for a budget document was request by CBRM. CBRM to talk with representatives from the Province as well as its tenant currently occupying the Bi-Centennial gymnasium.
May 31, 2022
Meeting is held with CBRM Recreation to discuss the potential acquisition of Centennial Arena. A request for a budget document is requested by CBRM. CBRM to talk with representatives from the Province of Nova Scotia as well as its tenant currently occupying the Bi-Centennial gymnasium as part of its review process and connect back with Tomorrow's Legends.
June 2, 2022
Two documents submitted by Tomorrow's Legends to CBRM recreation department. Documents includes letter of confirmation pertaining to partnership with Source Atlantic along with requested budget document.
June 9, 2022
Written follow-up made by Tomorrow's Legends to CBRM recreation department asking to confirm receipt of documents from June 2nd submission.
June 10, 2022
CBRM recreation department confirms receipt of documents along with confirmation that a follow-up will take place once meetings with provincial officials and tenant takes place.
July 11, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends still awaiting communication from CBRM regarding discussions with provincial officials and tenants. Legends not aware of any outstanding documents or related information necessary to complete a review and issue paper.
July 12, 2022
CBRM mayor and council meet with the acquisition of Centennial Arena on the meeting agenda. Without an issue paper that was due May 24th, CBRM recreation department advices council that Tomorrow's Legends failed to submit a feasibility study required by staff despite no formal request being made to submit such documentation. Throughout the meeting, confusion mounted over what type of feasibility study CBRM staff was seeking. Tomorrow's Legends previously suggested that the C200 study which includes the market study be used given how up to date it was on population and demographics. The meeting seems to indicate that an additional study is required over and above the market study and the technical information on solar energy that has been previously submitted on March 18th. CBRM staff confirms it will reach out to Tomorrow's Legends to provide clarification.
July 14, 2022
With no further communication by CBRM to Tomorrow's Legends or its partners a written letter is submitted to mayor and two councillors asking for a better channel of communication. Without a response and based on the July 12th council meeting, Source Atlantic began the written preparation of an Operational Feasibility Study for Centennial Arena to accompany the previously submitted technical solar energy data and business plan.
July 15, 2022
Expressions of Interest issued for all sports clubs interested in tenancy . Closing date of August 31, 2022.
August 8, 2022
Early review of tenancy proposals.
August 17, 2022
Received written correspondence from CBRM recreation department regarding the preparation of a letter based on the vote of council from July 12th meeting.
August 24, 2022
Source Atlantic submits Operational Feasibility Study on Centennial Arena to CBRM clerk's office and to senior CBRM staff.
August 28, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends receives conditional agreement dated, August 23, 2022, from CBRM pertaining to the transfer of Centennial Arena.
August 31, 2022
Closing date for expressions of interests for prospective tenants.
September 1, 2022
Written follow-up made to CBRM legal department requesting a meeting to discuss details of asset transfer.
September 5, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends met with representatives from the federal government at Centennial Arena regarding potential funding streams.
September 15, 2022
Written correspondence submitted to CBRM legal department pertaining to funding requirements.
September 15, 2022
Written correspondence received from CBRM legal department confirming the awaiting of additional instructions from CBRM senior staff.
September 20, 2022
Discussions takes place with organizations that submitted an expression of interest for the purpose of securing anchor tenants. Three anchor tenants confirmed willingness to occupy on a full time year round basis should the transfer of the arena occur.
October 6, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends submits application for funding for retrofitting Centennial Arena based on letter provided by CBRM legal department on August 23rd.
October 13, 2022
Received written correspondence from CBRM legal department pertaining to requirements for the facility. CBRM legal department indicates that Operational Feasibility Study has not been received.
October 14, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends contacted Source Atlantic to obtain submission details pertaining to the Operational Feasibility Study. Proof of submission dated August 24th provide and forwarded to CBRM legal department.
October 17, 2022
CBRM legal department confirms receipt of the Operational Feasibility Study from August 24th and that the study is acceptable.
November 14, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends contacts CBRM councilor by way of written letter asking for any updates. Councilor has been informed that CBRM legal department is awaiting additional information. Legends advised councilor that Legends is awaiting answers on key questions pertaining to the transfer wit several requests being made to the legal department.
November 15, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends awaiting information pertaining to the details of transfer from CBRM legal department. Specific key questions have been posed by Tomorrow's Legends. CBRM legal department is awaiting instructions from senior staff. Information from the My 31st meeting regarding meetings with provincial officials and CBRM tenant occupying Bi-Centennial gymnasium also remains outstanding.
November 15, 2022
CBRM hears Sierra Group's proposed options for Centre 200 expansion. The Sierra Group agreed with Legend's assessment that a retrofit to Centennial Arena would not interfere with a Centre 200 expansion.
November 18, 2022
Phone call takes place with CBRM councillor summarizing the key items that have been raised and submitted to CBRM legal department.
December 10, 2022
Tomorrow's Legends continues to prepare for documents submissions to proposed funding partners.
2023
February 14, 2023
Tomorrow's Legends submits application to the federal government's Green and Inclusive Communities Buildings Fund.
May 10, 2023
Tomorrow's Legends begins software development project for the interactive Book of Legends while awaiting status of various funding applications.
2024
March 5, 2024
Tomorrow's Legends receives approval from Green & Inclusive Communities Building fund for $2.1 million.
March 26, 2024
CBRM council deems Centennial Arena surplus property, making way for a public hearing.
April 3, 2024
Tomorrow's Legends finalized its Books of Legends - the organizations official interactive digital contributor registry showcasing volunteers, donors and sponsors.
April 3, 2024
Tomorrow's Legends finalized it Books of Legends - the organizations official interactive digital contributor registry showcasing volunteers, donors and sponsors.
April 5, 2024
Tomorrow's Legends begins initial stages of tender document preparation and establishment of bidders list.
April 15, 2024
Tomorrow's Legends launches another round of community engagement sessions with various sports clubs focused on tenancy agreements.
May 6, 2024
Tomorrow's Legends sets July 2nd deadline for tenancy applications from prospective sports tenants.
May 14, 2024
CBRM council holds public hearing and grants final approval with a 9-0 vote to transfer the former Centennial Arena to Tomorrow's Legends.
May 27, 2024
Tomorrow's Legends launches sponsorship campaign with innovative offerings to the business community to contribute to Cape Breton's first solar powered sports and cultural complex. The Book of Legends to appear on website and full-time display in the arena.