Formerly located on Maroons Road in Winnipeg, this large arena with an initial seating capacity for 10,100 people (later expanded to 15,565), was designed by the architectural firm of Moody and Moore. Ground was broken on 16 October 1954 and structural steel for the building was provided by the Dominion Bridge Company. It was built by the Bird Construction Company at a cost of about $2,500,000. It opened officially on the 18 October 1955 and was operated by the Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation.
The Winnipeg Arena was demolished in March 2006 and the site is now occupied by retail development.
Winnipeg Arena (1955)
Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 18 October 1954, page 22.
Interior of the Winnipeg Arena (1955)
Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 18 October 1954, page 10.Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88705, W97.19801
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Moody and Moore / MMP Architects
Manitoba Business: Dominion Bridge Company
Manitoba Business: Bird Woodall and Simpson Construction / Bird Construction Company
Manitoba Organization: Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Polo Park Racetrack / Polo Park Shopping Centre (1485 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg)
“Arena work starts today,” Winnipeg Tribune, 16 October 1954, page 33.
“Asked for 2 million, a new arena was born,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 October 1954, page 22.
“Steelwork by Dominion Bridge,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 October 1954, page 23.
“9,671 see new arena opened,” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 October 1955, page 10.
“Bright shining arena, all set for big night,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 October 1955, page 10.
“Arena’s final roar,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 March 2006, page 1.
“Arena’s last big show today,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 March 2006, page 3.
“The old barn wouldn’t fall,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 March 2006, page 1.
“Arena’s puts up a hood fight,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 March 2006, page 3.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 1 September 2024
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