Major concerts and events are slowly returning to the Maritimes
The Halifax Wanderers soccer team is anxious to welcome back fans at its stadium in Halifax.
"We would love to host a game on Natal Day," says President Derek Martin. “It would be a symbolic day for us to do it."
Martin says after a tough year of living with COVID-19 restrictions, he is finally sensing a return to normalcy.
"If you read the tea leaves, there's a lot of positivity happening right now,” he says.
Sonic Concerts recently announced its summer series starting July 26.
Moncton’s Avenir Centre is scheduled to host James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt in September.
Downtown Halifax is already back in full-on event-planning mode.
"As we move through Phase 4 and Phase 5, we will continue to host smaller gatherings inside," says Events East President and CEO Carrie Cussons.
Cussons says the Halifax Convention Centre is preparing to host smaller concerts and business gatherings.
The ice will also soon be back in at Scotiabank Centre later this summer
"We are really excited about having the Mooseheads back at full capacity," says Cussons.
Starting with pre-season action in August, the Halifax Mooseheads hockey team will play home games.
But larger-scale events and conventions are still on hold.
"By 2022 we expect to see national and international events start to return to the convention centre,” says Cussons.
Si-Fi convention Hal-Con, postponed in 2020, will return in October with smaller numbers.
"We are hopeful to have up to 2,500 a day, which is what it's looking like right now," says Hal-Con Marketing Director Floyd Blaikie.
Cussons says all events must adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols.
"We are working to figure out what are the best things we can keep while allowing fans to come back and enjoy that in-person experience," says Cussons.
As Martin waits to host bigger crowds, he says he wants the Wanderers to hold pop-up vaccination clinics.
"We obviously benefit, the sooner we get to phase 5 and all the restrictions can be lifted," says Martin.
When that finally happens, Martin says many events would once again be open for thousands of fans to attend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.