The upcoming Esso Cup U18 AAA female hockey championship marks the end of an era for the Centennial Civic Centre.
Read more: ‘Cats reflect on season, stoked for new barn
Built in 1967, the old barn holds 1,700 seats—and countless memories—for those who’ve attended hockey games, concerts, weddings, and exhibitions over the years.
With demolition on the horizon, the City of Lloydminster is asking residents to share their memories of the Civic Centre. I thought it would be fun to get in on the action.
Since moving to Lloydminster in 2014, I’ve covered hundreds of hockey games, community events, and concerts—but the real highlights include getting chirped by Joe Rogan and nearly losing my head to a loose puck or two.
This may not happen again for a while due to inter-border politics, but The Joe Rogan Experience host was in the Border City in June 2014 for a stand-up show at the Civic Centre.
Looking back, that was my first month on the job in Lloyd as the sports editor for the former Meridian Booster. I was eager to get out in the community—and as a Joe Rogan fan, I wanted the opportunity to photograph him on stage.
What I didn’t expect was to be chirped mid-set for wearing a blazer to his show, with Rogan saying something along the lines of, “Look at this asshole with the camera wearing a blazer to my comedy show.”
He apologized when I met him after the show for a photo, but that memory will likely never fade.
As for almost losing my head to flying hockey pucks—I can’t wait to shoot games in the new Cenovus Energy Hub, especially after getting confirmation that both new rinks will have port holes for photographers.
We’re moving up in the sports world, Lloyd!
Have a memory you’d like to share? Email me at ta****@me************.ca.
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