Manulife Canada Invests $1 Million in one of Halifax's Largest Recreation Centres, Advancing Commitment to Longevity
MWN-AI** Summary
Manulife Canada has announced a significant investment of $1 million over the next decade to support the Canada Games Centre in Halifax, which will be rebranded as the Manulife Recreation Centre. This partnership, unveiled in collaboration with the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Canada Games Centre Society, exemplifies Manulife’s commitment to community health and well-being as part of its Longevity Institute initiatives aimed at helping Canadians lead longer and healthier lives.
The Manulife Recreation Centre serves approximately 10,000 members and nearly 1 million visitors annually, offering a wide range of inclusive programming for families, seniors, youth, and athletes. There are plans to enhance access to health and wellness services, emphasizing the Center's mission to promote fitness and community engagement. Under the new sponsorship, programs like "Healthy Habits, Active Advice" will be revived, providing valuable health insights, while the facility will offer free monthly access to its gym and swimming pool for the public.
Naveed Irshad, President and CEO of Manulife Canada, highlighted the company's pride in deepening its community ties through this initiative. He emphasized the importance of investing in accessible programs to foster healthier, more active lives. Mayor Andy Fillmore and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston both echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of community health initiatives in promoting social connection and well-being.
The Manulife Recreation Centre, a 176,000 square foot facility, offers various sports and recreation programs and serves as a hub for physical literacy and fitness. A grand opening event will be held this summer to celebrate this partnership and its potential to enhance community wellness in Halifax. For more information, interested parties can visit Manulife.com/Longevity.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Manulife Canada's recent $1 million investment in the Manulife Recreation Centre in Halifax is not just a significant commitment to community health, but also an opportunity for investors to consider the broader implications of this investment on the company's growth trajectory.
This partnership aligns with Manulife’s goals within the Longevity Institute, positioning the company as a leader in promoting not only financial well-being but also physical health. The initiative to enhance accessibility to fitness facilities and wellness programs for the community reinforces Manulife’s long-term value proposition. Investors should recognize that companies contributing to community welfare can experience enhanced brand loyalty, increased customer engagement, and ultimately, a stronger market position.
The recreation centre draws over a million visitors annually, ensuring that Manulife gains significant visibility and alignment with healthy lifestyles—a major selling point for its insurance and financial products. The promotion of free public access to fitness facilities signifies Manulife’s commitment to social responsibility, likely enhancing its reputation and attractiveness to prospective clients.
Additionally, the partnership indicates a tactical move in improving the company’s customer demographics by engaging younger populations and families. These segments, once captured, could lead to increased uptake in insurance products geared towards health and longevity.
From a market perspective, this investment should be seen as a strategic positioning for future growth. Manulife's engagement in community wellness could contribute to an uptick in share price, as corporate social responsibility becomes more influential in investment decisions. Investors looking for sustainable and socially responsible investment opportunities may find Manulife's initiatives desirable, particularly as they align with current trends in health, wellness, and longevity.
In conclusion, the investment in the Manulife Recreation Centre is likely to bolster not only community health but also drive long-term financial performance for the company, making it a strategic area for investors to watch closely.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Canada NewsWire
C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945
New naming partnership celebrates community health through the newly named 'Manulife Recreation Centre'
Initiative aligns to the Manulife Longevity Institute, advancing the goal of helping Canadians live longer, healthier lives
The sponsorship will provide community with free monthly gym and pool access and reinstate the "Healthy Habits, Active Advice" program
HALIFAX, NS, Feb. 25, 2026 /CNW/ - Manulife Canada has committed $1 million over 10 years to support one of Halifax's largest recreation facilities, which will now be named the Manulife Recreation Centre, Home of the 2011 Jeux du Canada Games. The partnership, announced today with the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Canada Games Centre Society (Halifax), reflects an investment in community health, accessibility, and active living.
The Manulife Recreation Centre, (formerly the Canada Games Centre) is a vibrant hub serving more than 10,000 members and nearly 1,000,000 visitors annually. The facility will continue to acknowledge and preserve its important history throughout its interior and exterior spaces. The Centre offers inclusive programming for families, seniors, youth, and high-performance athletes.
With this new partnership, Manulife and the municipality will be expanding access to health and wellness programs for the community. The sponsorship will help breathe new life into beloved programs like "Healthy Habits, Active Advice," which will provide valuable insights from guest speakers on nutrition and health. It will also make the Centre's Field House and Aquatics Centre open to the public for free access once per month. This accessibility will promote physical, mental, and financial well-being and build on Manulife's legacy as a leader in health benefits and community wellness across Canada.
"As a major employer in Halifax, we're proud to deepen our roots in the community with this meaningful partnership," said Naveed Irshad, President and CEO, Manulife Canada. "Health runs through everything we do at Manulife, from advancing longevity and supporting care to protecting wealth and financial well-being. We believe that investing in accessible, community-based programs is one of the most powerful ways we can help people live longer, healthier lives."
With more than 800 employees across Nova Scotia, and more than 37,000 globally, Manulife is one of Canada's most established financial services companies and a proud community partner. The company is committed to fostering healthier lives, offering tools and support that promote overall well-being.
This initiative is aligned to the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, advocacy, and community investment platform that will help people in Canada thrive at every age. This announcement reinforces Manulife's ongoing investment in Canadian communities and commitment to help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.
"Halifax is growing, and with that growth comes the responsibility to invest in the health and well-being of our residents," said Mayor Andy Fillmore. "The Manulife Recreation Centre isn't just a place to stay active, it's a community hub where people of all ages and abilities can come together, connect, and thrive. This partnership ensures that we can expand programs, increase accessibility, and strengthen the sense of community that makes Halifax such a special place to live."
Located at 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, the Manulife Recreation Centre is a 176,000 square foot facility committed to promoting physical literacy, fitness and wellness, and to supporting the needs of high-performance sport and athlete development. The Centre also runs sport and recreation programs, camps, fitness classes, and more in an inclusive environment.
"This partnership represents the best of what can happen when the private and public sectors come together to support our communities," said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston. "With Manulife's support, the Centre will continue to thrive as a cornerstone of healthy living in our province."
A community grand opening event will be held this summer, featuring a variety of activities for the public to enjoy. Additional details will be shared in the coming months.
"This investment allows us to expand access and continue building a space where everyone – from toddlers to seniors – can thrive." said Deanna Severeyns, Manulife Recreation Centre Board of Directors Chair. "Our mission, programs and commitments to the community have not changed – we're investing in the future of health and wellness in Halifax. The Centre was built as a legacy project, and this partnership with Manulife ensures that legacy continues to grow."
For more information on the Longevity Institute, visit Manulife.com/Longevity.
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.
About Manulife Longevity Institute
The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute's work will support Manulife's Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife's Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US. Canada, Asia, and the US.
For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity.
Media Contacts:
Manulife
Emily English
Media Relations Manager
Emily_English@manulife.ca
Halifax Regional Municipality
mediarelations@halifax.ca
Manulife Recreation Centre
Laura Johnson
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Johnsonl@canadagamescentre.ca
SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2026/25/c0404.html
FAQ**
How does the $1 million investment by Manulife Financial Corporation MFC in the Manulife Recreation Centre align with their broader Longevity Institute goals?
What specific programs and activities will the investment by Manulife Financial Corporation MFC enhance to promote community health in Halifax?
In what ways will the partnership between Manulife Financial Corporation MFC and the Halifax Regional Municipality support accessibility to health and wellness resources?
How does the commitment of Manulife Financial Corporation MFC impact the long-term sustainability and community engagement of the Manulife Recreation Centre?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE: MFC).
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