Kamloops Memorial Arena facts for kids

The Kamloops Memorial Arena is a famous ice hockey arena located in Kamloops, British Columbia. It was built a long time ago, in 1948, and has seen many exciting hockey games.

Kamloops Memorial Arena: A Community Landmark

This arena was once the home for important Western Hockey League teams like the Kamloops Chiefs, the Kamloops Junior Oilers, and especially the well-known Kamloops Blazers. In 1992, a newer arena called the Riverside Coliseum (now known as the Sandman Centre) took its place. But the old Memorial Arena is still standing strong! It's still used for different levels of hockey and even for lacrosse games today.

Building a Community Dream

Building the Memorial Arena was a huge team effort. Many groups in the community worked together to make it happen. People found clever ways to raise money, like holding raffles, and everyone in Kamloops supported these ideas. This big project showed how much the people of Kamloops could come together. It also served as a special way to remember the brave people who fought in World War I and World War II. The arena was designed by an architect named C.B.K. Norman and was built by J.C. Taylor & Son. It officially opened its doors in 1949.

Home to Champions

Today, the Kamloops Memorial Arena is home to the North Kamloops Midget AAA Lions. This team has won the British Columbia Midget AAA championship nine times! Their victories include seasons like 1959–60, 1960–61, 1965–66, 1975–76, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1998–99, and 1999–00. The arena is also where the Thompson Rivers University Hockey team plays. They started their first season there in 2009–2010.

Gallery

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  Exterior

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  Interior