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Fredericton’s rinks and arenas: Life after dark

Oliver Pearson , , , , , , , , , ,

The City of Fredericton owns and operates four ice surfaces that are heavily used by hockey players, ringette players, figure skaters, and free skaters during the winter months. But what happens during the summer months when some trade their steel blades for roller blades? In some rinks and arenas, there is minimal activity – others find a new purpose. Such as the Grant-Harvey Centre, named after both Danny Grant and Buster Harvey. Grant and Harvey grew up in Fredericton and had successful National Hockey League careers in the 60s and 70s. The Grant-Harvey Centre is a hub for community activity including an Olympic-sized ice surface and a 1,500-seat NHL-sized surface.

Green grass in front of the Grant-Harvey Centre. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

The complex is the home of the St. Thomas women’s hockey team, but the Tommies’ haven’t seen any action since February. For now, it is used for evening practices and walking. Walkers occupy the upper-level track throughout the day while the fresh ice surface is left untouched by skaters.

Walkers take advantage of the empty arena’s walking track. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

Throughout the winter months, the Grant-Harvey Centre sees large crowds from Tommies’ fans and Fredericton Red Wings fans. Those fans will have to wait until the fall to see their teams back in action.

Seats are empty as fans must wait until October to see the Tommies back in action. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

Both surfaces still see athletics throughout the hockey off-season. The Olympic ice surface lays plastic down for box lacrosse season – Canada’s national summer sport. Both surfaces are also capable of setting up volleyball surfaces. The Grant-Harvey recently hosted the STU High School Volleyball Cup at the end of March which saw over 100 teams competing.

Arena workers keep the lights out most days, even on the box lacrosse side. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

While many skaters stay off the ice during the spring and summer some participate in spring hockey programs to keep their skills sharp. Champions Hockey is one spring program that players can join to continue their play.

Spring hockey players enjoy all the ice time they can get. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

Skaters are seen at the Willie O’Ree Place on Fredericton’s Northside. The arena also gets its name from a Fredericton-born NHL player. Willie O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins and was the first black player in the NHL. The arena is also home to the Leo Hayes High School Lions.

Green grass and warm weather outside of Willie O’Ree Place on Fredericton’s Northside. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

In the summer the arena’s second surface is transformed into a public indoor skate park for kids to enjoy.

 

Fredericton has two historic arenas that pale in comparison to the size of Grant-Harvey and Willie O’Ree’s large complexes. The York Arena is Fredericton’s oldest and coldest arena, opening in 1947, and requires regular maintenance to stay up to date. There are no other activities just one ice surface which causes the arena to see little action during the warmer months.

York Arena opened on Fredericton’s Northside in 1947. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

Located at the bottom of university avenue is Lady Beaverbrook Rink which opened in 1955. As home to the reigning back-to-back provincial champion Fredericton High School Black Kats the LBR sees hundreds of fans pack into the rink on Friday nights.

The Lady Beaverbrook Rink opened in 1955 as a gift to the University of New Brunswick from Lord Beaverbrook. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

The LBR is just a single ice surface that stays dark and lonely for most of the off-season.

Five of six Fredericton High School hockey provincial championship banners hang in the LBR all year round. (Credit: Oliver Pearson)

Arenas across the city act as anchors for the community as many Frederictonians participate in winter sports or enjoy viewing their hometown teams. Growing up playing hockey I consider these arenas as a home away from home and always enjoy coming back to them even after my playing career.