'We're a full go': Halifax Wanderers to play Aug. 2, other events to return this fall
The countdown is on for local soccer fans: the Halifax Wanderers will play their first home game on Natal Day.
"We're a full go,” says Derek Martin, president of the Halifax Wanderers. “There's no doubt in anyone's mind that games are on for the second and seventh."
Martin says they’re excited to welcome back fans.
"We've been able to create 16 independent, 250-person zones which will allow us to have up to 4,000 people on site,” says Martin.
"We’re just working through now the final stages of how each of those zones can look and what the actual final number will be, but it will be somewhere in that 3,500 to 4,000 person capacity for those first few games."
The Scotiabank Centre is also getting ready to host events, starting with the Halifax Mooseheads home opener on October 2.
"We've got Stars on Ice, which is on October 8, Judas Priest which is on November 2," says Erin Esiyok-Prime, Marketing and Communications Director with Events East.
"Those diehard fans were quick to snap up those tickets and it's really nice to see that live music is back and we just last week heard from the Thunderbirds that they'll be back on December 4."
Esiyok-Prime says they are anxious to open their doors and welcome back fans.
"I think the fans are ready too. I think the community is so ready to be back to live events and back together," she said. “We will be doing that of course safely and we can't wait."
The Downtown Halifax Business Commission is excited to see events return to the city.
"It's one of the things that's been the biggest kind of lingering impact," said Paul MacKinnon, president of the organization.
"One of the things that we've heard that people have missed the most is being able to gather in larger groups and enjoy all the great entertainment and activities and events that typically happen in downtown Halifax."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.