Robert Guertin Centre
Encyclopedia
The Robert Guertin Centre (formerly Robert Guertin Arena and Hull Arena, nicknamed The Bob) is a 4,000 capacity (3,196 seated) multi-purpose arena
in Gatineau
, Quebec
, Canada
.
It is considered by many Gatineau residents, particularly of the Hull sector, as a cultural and sport heritage location for the region.
It was built in 1952 and is home to the Gatineau Olympiques
ice hockey
team
. The arena also briefly hosted the Ottawa 67's
in 1967, while the Ottawa Civic Centre
was under construction. The arena hosted the Memorial Cup
in 1997
, 1982
, and 1958
. It is also the site of an international midget hockey tournament which is held every January.
There were several discussions regarding the future of the arena as the structure showed signs of deterioration. It was in 2001, that team owners of the Olympiques first discussed the idea of playing at a new rink with a larger capacity. Renovations were made to the arena in 2003 and 2004 but it slightly reduced the number of seats due to safety reasons.
In May 2011 it was announced that a new 5000 seat arena would be built on the same site. The old arena would be demolished. The estimated cost of the new arena is $63 million.
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
in Gatineau
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
It is considered by many Gatineau residents, particularly of the Hull sector, as a cultural and sport heritage location for the region.
It was built in 1952 and is home to the Gatineau Olympiques
Gatineau Olympiques
The Gatineau Olympiques are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League out of Gatineau, Quebec. The Olympiques play out of the Robert Guertin Centre. The club, then known as the Hull Festivals, was granted membership in the QMJHL in 1973. The Olympiques have...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team
Team
A team comprises a group of people or animals linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks.A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team...
. The arena also briefly hosted the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
in 1967, while the Ottawa Civic Centre
Ottawa Civic Centre
The Ottawa Civic Centre, also known as the J. Benson Cartage Centre for 2011–2012, is an indoor arena located in Ottawa, Ontario, seating 9,862. With temporary seating and standing room it can hold 10,585. Opened in December 1967, it is used primarily for sports, including curling, figure skating,...
was under construction. The arena hosted the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
in 1997
1997 Memorial Cup
The 1997 Memorial Cup occurred May 10-18 at the Robert Guertin Arena in Hull, Quebec. Participating teams were the host Hull Olympiques, who were also the champions of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, as well as the QMJHL runner-up Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and the winners of the Ontario Hockey...
, 1982
1982 Memorial Cup
The 1982 Memorial Cup was held between May 8 and May 15, 1982, at the Robert Guertin Arena in Hull, Quebec. The champions of the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League – the Kitchener Rangers, Sherbrooke Castors and Portland Winter Hawks respectively...
, and 1958
1958 Memorial Cup
The 1958 Memorial Cup final was the 40th junior ice hockey championship of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The George Richardson Memorial Trophy champions Ottawa-Hull Junior Canadiens an independent team in Eastern Canada competed against the Abbott Cup champions Regina Pats of the...
. It is also the site of an international midget hockey tournament which is held every January.
There were several discussions regarding the future of the arena as the structure showed signs of deterioration. It was in 2001, that team owners of the Olympiques first discussed the idea of playing at a new rink with a larger capacity. Renovations were made to the arena in 2003 and 2004 but it slightly reduced the number of seats due to safety reasons.
In May 2011 it was announced that a new 5000 seat arena would be built on the same site. The old arena would be demolished. The estimated cost of the new arena is $63 million.