Zatzman Sportsplex

The Zatzman Sportsplex is an indoor sports and community centre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, opened 1982 and known as the Dartmouth Sportsplex until 2019. It houses an arena, a gymnasium, two swimming pools, and other fitness, leisure and events facilities. It is managed by the Dartmouth Sportsplex Community Association, a non-profit organization which runs the facility on behalf of the Halifax Regional Council.

Zatzman Sportsplex
Main entrance
Zatzman Sportsplex is located in Nova Scotia
Zatzman Sportsplex
Location within Nova Scotia
Former namesDartmouth Sportsplex
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeSports centre
Address110 Wyse Road
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Groundbreaking1981
Opened1982
Renovated2019
OwnerHalifax Regional Municipality
Other information
Seating capacity
  • 3,000 (ice hockey)
  • 3,500 (stage events)
Website
zatzmansportsplex.com

History
The Dartmouth Sportsplex, pictured while under renovation in July 2017

The site was formerly home to the Dartmouth Arena, which was built in 1950 and burned down on 16 May 1974. A sod-turning ceremony was held for the new Sportsplex in March 1981 by Dartmouth mayor Daniel Brownlow and Premier John Buchanan. It was constructed by Dineen Construction and cost $7 million. The Sportsplex opened in 1982.[1] A management agreement between the municipality and the Dartmouth Sportsplex Community Association was signed in 1998, and has been renewed every year since.[2]

The Dartmouth Sportsplex closed in early 2017 for a major renovation and expansion. A new double gymnasium and multi-purpose meeting rooms were added, while the fitness room was expanded. Most of the interior was revamped, except for the hockey arena.[3] The project was designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and local firm Abbott Brown.[4] Estimated in 2016 to cost $20 million, it ended up costing about $28 million.[3][4] The complex reopened in February 2019 as the Zatzman Sportsplex following a $750,000 donation from the Zatzman family in honour of the late Joseph Zatzman, businessman and former mayor of Dartmouth.[5]

Facilities
Zatzman Sportsplex sign and new gym.

The arena has a capacity of 3,000 for hockey and 3,500 for stage events. It has been home to various junior, senior and minor and high school hockey teams. It also hosts occasional trade shows and concerts. The complex also houses a 25-metre, eight lane swimming pool, home to the Dartmouth Whalers and Dartmouth Crusaders swim clubs, as well as a smaller teaching pool.

Other facilities include meeting and community rooms, a gymnasium, fitness and cardio rooms, racquetball and squash courts, a running track, water slides, and a canteen (not yet opened following renovations).

Clubs and events hosted

Transportation

The facility is adjacent to the Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal, the busiest public transport hub in the city serving 24 different transit routes.[7]

References
  1. Chapman, Harry (2000). In the Wake of the Alderney: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 1750–2000. Dartmouth Historical Association. p. 453. ISBN 0969664672.
  2. "Final Report: Dartmouth Sportsplex, External Review of Business Case and Projections" (PDF). Stantec. 12 November 2013.
  3. Palmeter, Paul (24 April 2017). "Dartmouth Sportsplex renos could cost more than $20M estimate". CBC News.
  4. "Diamond Schmitt and Abbott Brown complete Dartmouth's Zatzman Sportsplex". Canadian Architect. 22 February 2019.
  5. Cooke, Alex (21 January 2019). "The Dartmouth Sportsplex has a new name: the Zatzman Sportsplex". The Star Halifax.
  6. "City looking into Dartmouth Sportsplex's future" (PDF). Halifax Chronicle-Herald. 3 October 2009.
  7. "Welcome to your new Bridge Terminal!" (PDF). Metro Transit. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
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