Scotiabank Place new home to Ottawa Senators Hockey
10:15 EST Wednesday, January 11, 2006

OTTAWA, Jan. 11 /CNW/ - Scotiabank and the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club announced today that the home of NHL hockey in the nation's capital will be renamed Scotiabank Place. This announcement marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of this world-class sports and entertainment venue. Details of the 15-year agreement were not disclosed.

"Scotiabank has had a presence in the Ottawa area for more than a century and we're very committed to this community," said Rick Waugh, Scotiabank president and chief executive officer. "Scotiabank Place will continue to be the home of an exceptional hockey club, while also providing a full range of exciting entertainment options for people who live in and visit this vibrant region."

"As we opened the Palladium, which soon became the Corel Centre, 10 years ago this month, we gave the National Capital Region one of the finest world- class venues in North America, setting a standard for sport and entertainment facilities around the world," said Roy Mlakar, Senators president and chief executive officer. "As the first financial institution to lend its name to a major venue in Canada, Scotiabank continues to show itself as a leader in business and a leader in community outreach programs."

"Today's announcement is part of our ongoing partnership with the Ottawa Senators that extends beyond the ice. In the coming weeks, we will be launching the Scotiabank Senators Savings Club for youth at our Scotiabank branches, encouraging youth under the age of 19 to learn the benefits of managing money," said Barb Mason, Scotiabank executive vice-president, marketing.

"We are partners with the Scotiabank Read to Succeed primary-school literacy program and Roger's House -- a pediatric palliative-care facility that is set to open early in 2006. We supported the Walk, Roll & Run for Roger event in September that saw Team Scotiabank raise $25,000 for the cause," added Mason. "Scotiabank is also a key sponsor of the Ernst and Young Ice and Dice fundraiser, featuring Senators players and coaches. This event will benefit the Gatineau Hospital Foundation and Ottawa Senators Foundation."

Officially opened on Jan. 15, 1996, as the Palladium, the 18,500-seat multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility became the Corel Centre one month later on Feb. 27. Since then, close to seven million fans have seen the Senators play at home. Through City of Ottawa review of by-laws in December 2004, the venue was allowed to increase its seating capacity to 19,153 and total attendance to 20,500.

"We are grateful for the commitment and support of Corel through 10 exciting years and appreciate its focus to showcase the success of the national capital's technology community around the world," said Mlakar. "We look forward to its continued support at Scotiabank Place."

GO RED AND CENTRE ICE PROMOTIONS

Scotiabank and the Senators also announced today the Go Red with the Senators and Scotiabank campaign encouraging fans to wear their red clothes and Senators jerseys as their team takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs at the official launch of Scotiabank Place Saturday, Jan. 21.

The events of the official launch include the Ottawa Community Takes Centre Ice contest. From Jan. 13 to 19, parents from the Ottawa-Gatineau region can enter ballots for their 7- to 12-year-old children for a chance to be part of the ceremonial faceoff before the Senators/Maple Leafs game. A boy and girl will be selected. For further details, or to enter, please visit the Senators' (www.ottawasenators.com) and Scotiabank's (www.scotiabankplace.com) websites.

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MEDIA OPEN-HOUSE: There will be a media-only open house of Scotiabank Place on Thursday, Jan. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. A buffet lunch will be provided. Photographers and cameramen will be able to take clean stock shots of centre ice and other signage prior to opening night Saturday, Jan. 21.

SCOTIABANK is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 50,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve about 10 million customers in some 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With $314 billion in assets (as at October 31, 2005), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York (BNS) Stock Exchanges. For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

THE OTTAWA SENATORS HOCKEY CLUB is owned and operated by the Capital Sports Group of Companies (CSG). CSG, through owner Eugene Melnyk, also owns and operates the Corel Centre, Capital Tickets and Capital Sports Management, which manages the Bell Sensplex.

    Backgrounder:

    Scotiabank - Ottawa/Gatineau area quick facts and notes on community
    involvement

    Employees in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec: Approximately 1700
    Branches/Offices in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec: 78

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. In 2005 the Bank provided more than $40 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education and social services.

Some highlights of Scotiabank's commitment to the Ottawa/Gatineau community include:

    -  Scotiabank is a major sponsor of Ride for Dad, a fundraiser for
       prostate cancer research and education. In 2005, Scotiabank raised
       more than $100,000 for this important initiative.

    -  Scotiabank has contributed over $50,000 to the Ottawa School Breakfast
       Program which helps feed more than 8,000 children in 123 schools
       across Ottawa-Carleton each and every day.

    -  In addition to providing sponsorship support, almost 60% of Scotiabank
       employees in the Ottawa area participate in Relay for Life, in support
       of the Canadian Cancer Society.

    -  Scotiabank continues to play a large role in the annual United Way
       campaign, and has contributed $550,000 to date.

    -  We were also very proud to be a part of the 2005 Scotiabank Hope and
       Heroes fundraiser evening supporting the Ottawa Rehabilitation Center
       of the Ottawa Hospital. The event attracted 800 people, raised over
       $40,000.

    -  Scotiabank has recently announced donations to both Carleton
       University and the Université d'Ottawa, as well as $500,000 to the
       Ottawa Hospital Foundation and $300,000 to the Ottawa Heart Institute
       - both helping to ensure that our community stays healthy.



    Backgrounder:

    Other Ottawa Senators and Scotiabank Partnerships
    -  Later this month, the Scotiabank Senators Savings Club for youth will
       be offered through Scotiabank branches. This program is a great way
       for youth under the age of 19 to learn the benefits of managing money.
       As they make deposits, club members will be eligible for monthly draws
       for tickets to Senators games.

    -  Scotiabank Read to Succeed is a primary school literacy program that
       currently has 443 classrooms registered throughout the National
       Capital Region. Participating children are encouraged to read and
       track their progress with an aim to win a school visit from the
       Senators mascot, Spartacat, or one of the Ottawa Senators players.

    -  Scotiabank has been a strong supporter of the creation of Roger's
       House. This soon to open facility will be a pediatric palliative care
       facility located on the grounds of CHEO and named in the memory of
       Hall of Famer and Ottawa Senators assistant coach, Roger Neilson.
       Scotiabank was a key supporter of the "Walk, Roll & Run for Roger", a
       fun family race in support of Roger's House. Team Scotiabank, through
       both their racers and a team of volunteers, raised $25,000 for the
       cause.

    -  Scotiabank was also a 'miracle minute' matching partner during the
       Roger's House telethon. Scotiabank matched $9,200 in pledges that were
       solicited in one minute at this highly successful event focused on the
       final fundraising push for the construction of Roger's House.

    "Ottawa Community Takes Centre Ice" Contest
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    -  In this online contest, parents can register their children, aged
       7-12, for an opportunity to be a part of the ceremonial puck drop at
       centre ice at the official opening of Scotiabank Place on January 21,
       2006.

    -  One boy and one girl will be selected. The winner will be determined
       by a draw.

    -  For further details, and to enter, please visit
       www.scotiabankplace.com and www.ottawasenators.com

For further information: Ann DeRabbie, Scotiabank, (647) 221-2144; Krista Pawley, Scotiabank, (613) 564-5266; Phil Legault, Ottawa Senators, (613) 599-0327; Steve Keogh, Ottawa Senators, (613) 599-0326