Oulton‑Stanish Centre
Vision
Construction of the much-anticipated Oulton-Stanish Centre has begun on Dalhousie’s Studley campus with a targeted opening date of 2025. This brand new, 60,000-square-foot facility will be a dynamic and inclusive space for Dalhousie students, faculty and staff, and for the greater Halifax community. The Oulton-Stanish Centre will provide a fresh facility for ice sports and serve as an on-campus wellness hub and vibrant event venue.
A Home for Tigers of All Stripes
The Oulton-Stanish Centre will be a space that brings people together from the Dalhousie campus and beyond. This stunning facility is thoughtfully designed to serve the varied needs of our diverse campus and the local communities.
Building Features
Arena
Athletes of all ages and skill levels can develop their skills on the Oulton-Stanish Centre’s new NHL-sized ice surface. With seating for 900+, fans of the Dalhousie Tigers men’s and women’s varsity hockey teams can enjoy every second of the action. Dedicated ice time for recreation programs and the return of our Tiger hockey camps will provide the community with more options to stay active.
The Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic
The Oulton-Stanish Centre will provide a larger, state-of-the-art home for the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic. The clinic will provide access to more services, specialized care and hands-on learning opportunities that will support our students and community members.
Event Venue
With a convertible ice surface that can be transformed into a premiere event venue, the Oulton-Stanish Centre will be the place for campus and community events. From conferences to convocation ceremonies, the Oulton-Stanish Centre will be the venue of choice to host some of the most exciting events.
Background
Dalhousie University demolished the former Memorial Arena in 2012 and currently leases ice time at the Halifax Forum for intramural, club and varsity ice sport use.
A comprehensive physical plan for the department of Athletics and Recreation was completed folllowing the momentum of the new Fitness Centre, Dalplex Fieldhouse Floor Renewal, and Sexton Campus Recreation renovations. The Plan identifies an arena facility (now conceived as the Oulton-Stanish Centre) as the highest priority physical requirement for the department of Athletics and Recreation.
Continuing to rent time at the Halifax Forum does not present an attractive opportunity to Dalhousie Athletics and Recreation. This is due to the physical separation from the campus (4 kms) and the positive impact of recreational facilities for students both on and near campus. Dalhousie Athletics indicated that, since demolishing the Memorial Arena in 2012, there has been a 55% reduction in the number of students that particpate in ice recreation due to:
- the lack of available ice time;
- poor availability of primetime ice hours; and
- the physical distance from campus
Learn more:
Dalhousie names new event centre after two alumni Tigers - Dal News - Dalhousie University
Project
The Oulton-Stanish Centre will be a two level building with an NHL-sized rink. The rink will have an alternate floor surface allowing for Dal and community events including orientation, conferences, convocation, and special events.
The first level will house the main entrance and lobby, NHL-sized ice surface, locker rooms, offices and storage for the men’s and women’s hockey teams, six additional locker rooms and washroom facilities.
The second level will feature food services, a warm lobby with a view of the ice, an event room with a view of the ice surface, entrance to 936 seats, storage, washrooms, and the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic which will move from its current location at Dalplex and triple in size.
The site location connects the new Oulton-Stanish Centre to the LeMarchant Place atrium. One of the entrances to the new Oulton-Stanish Centre will utilize the existing LeMarchant Place entrance and access to the second floor will be gained from the shared atrium. The primary entrance will be accessed from South Street.
Project overview
Location: 6191 South Street, Halifax, NS (adjacent to LeMarchant Place building)
Architects: ABCP Architects / FBM Architecture
Construction Management Firm: EllisDon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this project?
· The Oulton-Stanish Centre will be a two level building with an NHL-sized rink.
· The rink will have an alternate floor surface allowing for Dal and community events including orientation, conferences, convocation, and special events.
· The first level will house the main entrance and lobby, NHL-sized ice surface, locker rooms, offices, and storage for the men’s and women’s hockey teams, six additional locker rooms and washroom facilities.
· The second level will feature food services, warm lobby with a view of the ice, an event room with a view of the ice surface, entrance to 936 seats, storage, washrooms, and the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic.
· There will also be AV equipment to live stream events.
Why are you building it?
· Dalhousie has not had a rink since 2012 when the Memorial Arena was demolished due to health and safety concerns.
· Since then, varsity, club, and intramural teams, were relocated to the Halifax Forum 4km away.
· Beloved community activities like public skating and Dal Tiger hockey camps will also make a comeback.
· The general student population showed support of an on-campus arena through engagements related to the Fitness Centre in 2013 and the Student Union Building renovation in 2014.
· An arena will: increase and/or enhance recreation program offerings and participation; minimize travel, improving the safety of students; enhance student experience and campus culture and elevate Dalhousie to a standard most other universities offer.
· It will add a new dimension to the student experience and be part of the health and wellness hub on campus.
· It almost triples the size of the Dalhousie Physiotherapy clinic (From 975 sq ft to 2250 sq ft). Located in the centre of campus, the clinic will also be a convenient location for students, staff, faculty and the community to access care.
· The Oulton-Stanish Centre will also create another connection to our community through programming, ice time and events.
How much is it?
· We will not have a definite figure until the tendering process is complete.
Who is paying for it?
· Funding for this project is coming from a variety of sources, which include contributions from alumni and supporters in addition to university sources.
· Former Dal Tiger Ian Oulton and his wife Dr. Margaret Oulton have made a generous gift. He and a close friend Dr. William (Bill) Stanish (MD’70) are the lead fundraising volunteers.
· Student fees have not been raised to pay for the Event Centre.
Who can use it?
· Like all of Dal’s recreational facilities, the community will be able to book the space.
· Community use is an important element to the planned use of the facility.
What happened to the parking lot that was there?
· The 78 parking stalls located next to LeMarchant Place were moved to the opposite end of Wickwire Field. The playing surface of Wickwire Field has been shifted during the current re-surfacing project to easily allow for Alumni Crescent to be moved to accommodate the Oulton-Stanish Centre.