Greater Sudbury unveils architectural renderings as construction begin on new Event Centre

Today, the City of Greater Sudbury unveiled the architectural renderings for the new Event Centre, officially launching construction of this highly anticipated project.

The unveiling event took place on the grounds of the future Event Centre, next to the original Sudbury Community Arena. The lands were blessed by an elder from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, and the ceremony attended by representatives from local Indigenous communities, honouring the deep cultural significance of the site and grounding the project in respect and collaboration.

Mayor Paul Lefebvre was joined by representatives from Brisbin Brook Beynon (BBB) Architects, the architectural firm behind the design, and PCL Construction, the construction manager for the project. To mark the occasion, the group participated in a ceremonial puck drop using commemorative pucks — a symbolic gesture celebrating the start of the construction for the new facility and the community spirit driving the project.

The Event Centre will serve as a dynamic space for sporting events, concerts and community gatherings. It will be complimented by the Cultural Hub, a vibrant destination for arts, culture and innovation, with construction also set to begin in the near future.

The Event Centre, along with the construction of the Cultural Hub, is a cornerstone of the Transformation Project. This project will bring bold change to life in Greater Sudbury and build a shared vision shaped by perspectives from all sides of the community. Both buildings will also be major components of the Downtown Master Plan, which envisions a vibrant, inclusive and thriving downtown core for generations to come.

These much-anticipated initiatives involve many moving parts, coming together through a series of complex, interconnected activities to create new spaces for our community; a new Event Centre where our community will come together, and a Cultural Hub for building connection and community.

Residents are invited to follow the journey through the Transformation Project section of the City’s website, a central source for updates, timelines and opportunities to stay engaged as the work progresses: www.greatersudbury.ca/transformation

 

Quotes:

“Today we’re unveiling more than just the design of a building, we’re unveiling a space that will act as a catalyst for downtown transformation, sparking new developments in housing, business, and culture, while creating good jobs and bringing our community together. I want to recognize the architects for creating a design that reflects who we are as a community and gives us something we can all take pride in.”

- Paul Lefebvre, Mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury

 

“PCL is proud to be named the construction manager for the Greater Sudbury Event Centre, a project that reflects the heart of this city. We are committed to delivering a facility that meets the highest standards in design and performance, and that will serve as a vibrant hub for sports and culture. From our team to the community, there's a shared excitement about what the new Event Centre will mean for the city. Thank you to the City of Greater Sudbury for the opportunity to be a part of this legacy. We look forward to working alongside our partners to shape a future that celebrates community and connection.”

- John Schmalz, PCL Constructors Northern Ontario, Area Manager

 

“BBB Architects is proud to be part of the design team that is developing the new Greater Sudbury Events Centre.  This building will truly be a community venue for all, to host a diverse calendar of live sport and entertainment events that will bring people together from across the region, and create indelible memories.”

- Chris O’Rielly, Partner at Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects

 

“The start of construction on the Event Centre is more than just a milestone; it's the beginning of a tangible new energy downtown. This is the Transformation Project in action. We are already seeing the private sector respond with new investments, new residences, and 8 new businesses opening their doors in just the last couple months. In the short term, our local businesses will benefit from the buzz of construction activity, and in the long term, these cornerstone projects will solidify Sudbury's place as a premiere hub for sports, arts, and culture in the North, continuing to draw more investment and opportunity not just to the Downtown but the entire community. We've been building toward this moment, and it's time to cue the good stuff. “
- Kendra McIssac, Co-Chair of Downtown Sudbury Board of Directors

 

"The unveiling of the new Event Centre is a defining milestone for Greater Sudbury, a bold investment that propels our community forward. More than just a building, it reflects a collective commitment to revitalizing our downtown, attracting people and opportunity, and creating a vibrant hub where residents and newcomers alike can live, work, and build their future. This vision aligns with the values of the Sudbury Real Estate Board, strengthening our community and ensuring Greater Sudbury continues to grow as a place we are proud to call home."

- Luc Bock, Sudbury Real Estate Board Chair

 

“The Northeastern Ontario Construction Association is excited to support its members, contractors, suppliers, professionals, industry partners and the Greater City of Sudbury in all aspects of construction for these two cornerstone initiatives.”

- Mark Kivinen, Executive Director of Northern Ontario Construction Association

 

“The new event centre is a place for our community to come together. It will be a gathering place that supports local businesses, adds new energy to our downtown, and creates shared experiences that strengthen our sense of community pride.”
- Paul Hamilton, Director of Marketing, SWSE

 

“The Greater Sudbury Development Corporation is thrilled to see this major step forward in the development of the new Event Centre. Alongside the Cultural Hub, it represents the kind of bold investment our city needs to grow and position itself as a premier destination and community. By anchoring the facility in the heart of downtown, we’re not only creating a space for entertainment and sport—we’re also driving economic development, attracting new businesses and encouraging private investment that will help revitalize the core of our city.”
- Richard Picard, Chair, Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC)

 

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