The topics of hockey and arenas here in the border city have been nothing short of hot.
As winter slowly turns to fall and the clock ticks forward on the new Cenovus Energy Hub, plenty of questions still swirl around the new arena.
Read more: Bandits beat Tigers, advance to final
In the rear-view mirror is the old Centennial Civic Centre, which has stood the test of time.
The arena opened in 1967 but work really began a few years prior.
City council spent time travelling and touring other facilities. They worked hard to bring the best possible product to Lloydminster and see an arena thrive.
It would be in 1964 when a contract would be awarded to Buchanan Construction Limited of Edmonton. The Civic Centre Committee of the time worked with the low bidder to bring down the cost.
Council, alongside the committee, didn’t intend for the mezzanine floor to be finished and included in the original cost of the building. By deleting this separate portion and modifying other items, the overall size of the arena and seating capacity was maintained, and the contractor agreed to proceed immediately for the sum of $400,000.
By 1967 the arena opened its doors, welcoming in fans and competitors alike. The Centennial Civic Centre was regarded as the best in the west. Bobby Hull was invited to lead the Lloydminster Exhibition Parade. He opened the exhibition and gave a scoring demonstration and skated with Barry Gibbs.
Over the decades, the arena has welcomed thousands of fans coming together to cheer for their local Lloydminster teams. The story sounds a lot like what we are currently experiencing with the Cenovus Energy Hub.
Council and administration identified a need and worked to bring it to fruition.
Whether or not the public believes it is necessary, I can guarantee the feeling in that arena on the first night of hockey will be electric. People will pour into the new arena and experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment and watch some good ol’ hockey.
I’d also like to provide an update on a special piano in Lloydminster, the Brew piano. It’s a piano that has been around almost as long as Lloydminster has existed and something I wrote about last week.
It provided many wonderful musical performances and spent much time bringing the community together. Avice Jensen taught her students how to play using the piano. Since my last article, I’ve learned a few things about the storied piano.
Due to the piano being exposed to the weather while being hauled in a wagon, the varnish was cracked, which drew great fascination from Jensen’s children. Luckily it was eventually refinished, the ivories replaced, and the felts repaired.
The piano is still in the family teaching the next generation to play.
Also, if you have something you’d like to see me cover or a piece of history you want to share send me an email at ch*******@me************.ca
Read more: Column: The piano that survived it all
