Town of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

John Brother MacDonald Stadium

John Brother MacDonald Stadium Rental Schedule 2009-2010 click to open schedule

To reserve ice time please call 755-8363 or submit a request online.

The John Bother MacDonald Stadium is the lone stadium in New Glasgow with a single ice surface and full service Mezzanine (365 days a year). The Scotia Rink Commission oversees the governance of the Stadium and a new management committee will soon be formed. Stadium staff include Melody Board (Administrative Assistant), Scott Cooke (Chief Operator & Charge hand), and Robert Davidson (Operator).
The Stadium has ice in nine months of the year (August – April). During the remainder of the year we host a variety of events such as home shows, bingo, monster trucks and other events that require larger venues.

The Stadium has ice in nine months of the year (August – April). During the remainder of the year we host a variety of events such as home shows, bingo, monster trucks and other events that require larger venues.

The John Brother MacDonald Stadium has been the minor hockey home rink of NHL players and Stanley Cup Champions, Colin White of the New Jersey Devils and Jon Sim formerly of the Dallas Stars and currently playing for the Atlanta Thrashers. Derrick Walser of the Columbus Blue Jackets also played his minor hockey in New Glasgow. Colin, Jon and Derrick are also former teammates during their minor hockey days. Former NHLer Lowell MacDonald of Thorburn also played his minor hockey out of New Glasgow Stadium. The jerseys of White, Sim and MacDonald are proudly displayed in the Stadium and it is hoped that Walser’s jersey will be raised in the near future.

Stadium Facts:

The New Glasgow Stadium was built in 1950 and opened in 1951. In 2004, the Stadium was dedicated and renamed in memory of community sports legend, John Brother MacDonald. 

During the past several years, the John Brother MacDonald Stadium has seen many upgrades:

• Three newly renovated dressing rooms on the north side of the building;
• Public washrooms which are easily accessible to the physically challenged have been renovated at the west end of the building;
• The installation of a sprinkler system with added fire exits, to increase occupant load therefore encouraging a wider range of clientele;
• New sound and PA system;
• New rink boards;
• Astro-foil ceiling;
• Twenty propane heaters warming the spectator’s seating areas;
• Newly renovated canteen and office;
• Addition of upstairs mezzanine with full kitchen;
• The installation of insulation and gyproc around the second floor parameter of the building;
• Four newly renovated dressing rooms on the south side of the building;
• Eighteen phosphorous coated floodlights which were installed to supplement the existing sixty lamps over the floor.  These were added to increase the candle power to enable broadcasting of various events;
• New front entrance;
• In 2006 a new compressor was installed;
• The Town of New Glasgow purchased a new Zamboni for the Stadium in 2007;
• As well, the Stadium installed a new roof in 2007.

These additions and renovations to the facility have given it a competitive edge by providing modern amenities comparable to newer arenas, a safe and healthy environment and more comfort for its users.

Occupancy Load
With ice in:  Seating – 2,166; Standing – 597; Mezzanine – 250; TOTAL – 3,013
Without ice: Total including mezzanine – 3,723

• Heather Figure Skating Club
• New Glasgow Bombers Minor Hockey
• North Nova Gryphons
• Pictou County Adult Skaters
• Pictou County Jr. A Crushers
• Weeks Major Midgets