Windsor Arena
Encyclopedia
Windsor Arena is an indoor arena located in Windsor, Ontario
. Its capacity is approximately 4,400 with standing room. The arena's ice is an asymmetrical 80 feet (24.4 m) by 195 feet (59.4 m) or 15600 square feet (1,449.3 m²). The arena was the home of the Windsor Spitfires
of the Ontario Hockey League
from 1975–2008, at which time the team's home was moved to the WFCU Centre
. It is now home ice for the varsity men's ice hockey team at the University of Windsor
.
Originally named the Border Cities Arena, it hosted the Detroit Cougars
(later re-named the Detroit Red Wings) for the 1926-1927 NHL
season, while the Olympia Stadium
was under construction. The Border Cities Arena, built a year before for the local junior hockey team, was expanded from 6,000 to 9,000 for the Cougars. The arena was later renamed the Windsor Arena.
Having been constructed in 1924, the arena is among the oldest of its type in North America
. Inside the arena's halls are pictures of teams gone by, of old matches and players, and of the construction of "The Barn", along with historic newspaper clippings related to the hockey teams that played under its roof over the years.
In 2006, a new arena
, located in the city's east side off Lauzon Road, was approved by the Windsor city council. The decision to replace the arena is attributed to complaints about Windsor Arena's seating and tiny concourses. Nevertheless, it is still a functional space and considering the heavy demand for ice time in the city's minor hockey leagues, it is expected to remain in operation for minor hockey teams for years to come.
The Spitfires' final game at the Windsor Arena was played on December 4, 2008. Windsor beat the Guelph Storm
2-1, giving the Spitfires a perfect 12-0 record at The Barn for the 2008-09 season.
it is now the home of the University of Windsor's men team, the Lancers
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
. Its capacity is approximately 4,400 with standing room. The arena's ice is an asymmetrical 80 feet (24.4 m) by 195 feet (59.4 m) or 15600 square feet (1,449.3 m²). The arena was the home of the Windsor Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
of the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
from 1975–2008, at which time the team's home was moved to the WFCU Centre
WFCU Centre
The WFCU Centre is a sports-entertainment centre in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It opened on December 11, 2008, and it is named after the Windsor Family Credit Union, a local financial institution...
. It is now home ice for the varsity men's ice hockey team at the University of Windsor
Windsor Lancers
The Windsor Lancers are the varsity athletic teams that represent the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.The Lancers compete in Ontario University Athletics as part of Canadian Interuniversity Sport ....
.
History
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
(later re-named the Detroit Red Wings) for the 1926-1927 NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
season, while the Olympia Stadium
Detroit Olympia
Olympia Stadium, better known as the Detroit Olympia and nicknamed The Old Red Barn, stood at 5920 Grand River Avenue in Detroit, Michigan from 1927 until 1987. It was best known as the home of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team of the National Hockey League from its opening until...
was under construction. The Border Cities Arena, built a year before for the local junior hockey team, was expanded from 6,000 to 9,000 for the Cougars. The arena was later renamed the Windsor Arena.
Having been constructed in 1924, the arena is among the oldest of its type in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Inside the arena's halls are pictures of teams gone by, of old matches and players, and of the construction of "The Barn", along with historic newspaper clippings related to the hockey teams that played under its roof over the years.
In 2006, a new arena
WFCU Centre
The WFCU Centre is a sports-entertainment centre in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It opened on December 11, 2008, and it is named after the Windsor Family Credit Union, a local financial institution...
, located in the city's east side off Lauzon Road, was approved by the Windsor city council. The decision to replace the arena is attributed to complaints about Windsor Arena's seating and tiny concourses. Nevertheless, it is still a functional space and considering the heavy demand for ice time in the city's minor hockey leagues, it is expected to remain in operation for minor hockey teams for years to come.
The Spitfires' final game at the Windsor Arena was played on December 4, 2008. Windsor beat the Guelph Storm
Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:...
2-1, giving the Spitfires a perfect 12-0 record at The Barn for the 2008-09 season.
External links
- "Famous Canadian Arenas" exhibit at the National Library of Canada's Virtual Museum of Canada exhibit. "Windsor Arena"
it is now the home of the University of Windsor's men team, the Lancers