From The Barn To A Palace

The image to the left is the interior of the Sudbury Community Arena. I wrote about my experience there watching an OHL game between the Sudbury Wolves and Guelph Storm, and I noted that the "Sudbury Community Arena looks and feels old from the outside". Make no mistake that the arena in which the Wolves play has seen a lot of its years after being constructed in 1951, but I also added that "there's some charm and history in those four walls as you start walking around the concourse". If you're planning on doing the same, I suggest doing it soon because it sounds like the Sudbury Community Arena may not around for much longer.

Announced today, the city of Sudbury is investing $200 million into a new multipurpose complex that will house both the Sudbury Wolves and Sudbury Five starting in the proposed 2028 grand opening. Toronto-based Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects designed the new building, and PCL Construction will lead the building of the new facility that will be built next to where the Sudbury Community Arena stands. The demolition for that arena will take place at a later date.

Mayor Paul Lefebrve spoke at the event center announcement today, saying, "This new event centre is about sparking momentum, not only for concerts, sporting events and community gathering, but also for housing, business and cultural development. It’s about creating opportunities for all residents and their families. It's about bringing the community together in a space we can all be proud of."

According to the city's plans, the new complex will be built one street to the east of where the Sudbury Community Arena sits. Having parked in the parking lot where this new complex will one day stand, I can assure you there isn't a lot of real estate there that's worth keeping in its current form. I suspect that the site where Sudbury Community Arena will eventually turn into the new parking lot for this events centre, but having a new landmark that occupies two blocks of land will certainly diminish the feeling of the concrete jungle around that area. Having a gem like this new building on that land is better.

BBB partner Chris O'Reilly has been involved in the design of similar-sized projects that include arenas where the London Knights and Kingston Frontenacs play, but O'Reilly stressed that this new facility was designed to host more than just sports as the city wants a building that can "support a variety of cultural events, shows and entertainment". City officials told reporters that "the design of the event centre was accomplished in consultation with a variety of local groups, including the Anishinaabe and First Nations peoples of the area" - a massive shift in how cities look at building event centres.

O'Reilly said his team designed an east-side entrance at Shaughnessy Street specifically for Indigenous gatherings as the designers were told that "it's important for First Nations to approach from the east where the sun rises." With consultation, the design also includes four ceremonial poles at the building's exterior, the lands were blessed by an elder from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, and the unveiling announcement was attended by invited representatives from local Indigenous communities as the city of Sudbury continues its efforts in showing respect for and collaboration with its Indigenous neighbours.

Before we go on, I know a lot of people will be saying, "Teebz, how is spending $200 million of public monies any different than what's happening in Calgary", and I want to make a distinction here. The city of Sudbury isn't putting up public money to build a billionaire an arena of which he'll control its usage. Yes, Dario Zulich will have the arena's anchor tenants in the OHL's Wolves and the CEBL's Five, but this new facility is part of a bigger picture where Sudbury can host concerts, events, and gatherings in this new building as part of their overall Downtown Master Plan much like a convention centre. As such, this building was envisioned as part of Sudbury's long-term plans for the future, and they've now incorporated the old arena into the new facility. In short, it's not even close to being the same situation as what we're seeing with NHL owners. Clear enough?

Honestly, the artwork of the finished building look phenomenal, and I'd be excited if I were a Sudbury citizen. How excited would you be for a Sudbury Wolves game while walking up to this building?

Assuming construction goes according to plan, I'd imagine the Sudbury Community Arena will be retired and demolished some time during its 76th year of standing in Sudbury. As a traditionalist, I'd like to see a few bricks from the old barn worked into the exterior of the new building as a way to remember the Sudbury Community Arena. I'd like to think of it as a link between the past and future where Sudbury residents gathered, but the new building looks incredible and will be a jewel for the city and its residents for many years to come.

I've been told that good things come to those who wait. The city of Sudbury is proof of that with their new multipurpose events centre that's due to open in 2028! The old barn was fun, but the excitement of catching a game in this new palace will be high! Go Wolves!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!