When did Scotiabank Arena open and how much did it cost?
The arena opened on the 19th of February 1999 at a cost of $288 million, equivalent to roughly $499 million as of 2022.
Questions about Scotiabank Arena
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the building before it became an arena?
It was the Toronto Postal Delivery Building, designed by architect Charles B. Dolphin and completed in 1941. It sorted mail for Metropolitan Toronto until 1989, with underground tunnels connecting it directly to Union Station's train platforms.
Why did the arena end up housing both the Maple Leafs and the Raptors?
The Raptors originally planned a basketball-only venue. A dispute between ownership groups triggered a shotgun clause that led to the Raptors being sold to Maple Leaf Gardens Limited, the Leafs' owner, who redesigned the building for hockey and increased the budget from $217 million to $265 million.
What are the limestone carvings on the building's exterior?
A 13-part bas-relief series by sculptor Louis Temporale Sr. CM, carved in 1938-39, depicting the history of Canadian transportation and communication. The sequence runs from ancient smoke signals and voyageurs through the CN train used during the 1939 Royal Tour and a flying boat named Canopus. Salt spray from the Gardiner Expressway is accelerating their deterioration.
What record did the arena set during the COVID-19 pandemic?
On the 27th of June 2021, the arena administered 26,771 COVID-19 vaccine doses in a single day, setting a North American record for most vaccinations delivered at a single location, surpassing a prior record of 17,003 set at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas.
How much is the Scotiabank naming rights deal worth?
The 20-year sponsorship agreement between MLSE and Scotiabank, which took effect on the 1st of July 2018, is worth approximately C$800 million. It is believed to be the highest-priced annual building-and-team sponsorship in North American sports history.