The Winnipeg Amphitheatre at the northeast corner of the intersection between Colony Street and Whitehall Avenue—now subsumed into a parking lot of Great West Life Assurance—was once the largest of its kind in North America. Built for horse shows in 1908 on a design by the Winnipeg architectural firm of Pratt and Ross, it was also used for skating as well as other public and private events. It became the major venue for hockey games in the city after its seating capacity was doubled to about 6,000 in 1914.
The amphitheatre closed in May 1955 and was demolished.
Postcard view of the Winnipeg Amphitheatre (circa 1910)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2014-0300
Winnipeg Amphitheatre (1920) by Lewis B. Foote
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Foote Collection #522
Interior of the Winnipeg Amphitheatre (March 1931)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2014-0279Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88405, W97.15107
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Pratt and Ross
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Great-West Life Assurance Company Building and War Memorial (60 Osborne Street, Winnipeg)
“Cyclones of merriment greet opening act of Winter Club carnival,” Manitoba Free Press, 7 March 1931, page 16.
“An Immense Hold in the Public Estimation:” The First Quarter Century of Hockey in Manitoba, 1886-1911 by Morris Mott, Manitoba History, Number 43, Spring/Summer 2002.
“Closing of amphitheatre will end notable era” by Vince Leah, Winnipeg Tribune, 21 April 1955, page 21.
We thank Michael Park and Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 29 April 2023
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