winsport arena 'a' completed

MonctonGoldenFlames · #1 Posted: **Sep 19, 2011, 6:28 PM**

my hockey team played in arena 'a' last night at the new winsport facility at canada olympic park. it was absolutely beautiful inside! we even managed to break a pane of glass that delayed us about 45 minutes because the arena staff had no clue what to do or have back up glass.

Calgarian · #2 Posted: **Sep 19, 2011, 6:33 PM**

Wow, great looking facility. Definitely nicer that Father David Bauer arena. Is international sized ice?

What league do you play in?

lubicon · #3 Posted: **Sep 19, 2011, 6:37 PM**

Yes it is international size ice. The other 3 ice surfaces are North America size. I haven't seen the 'A' sheet since it was finished but did get a quick look back in late July. At that time they said it would be done for September 1 which was mind blowing given how much work was yet to be done. Nice to see it all coming together.

Calgarian · #4 Posted: **Sep 19, 2011, 6:40 PM**

MAn, playing rec league hockey on an international sized ice sheet is exhausting!

GTING · #5 Posted: **Sep 19, 2011, 6:47 PM**

Played on the other rinks the day after they opened last year. It is an amazing facility, those pictures make it look like the perfect venue for holding the world Jr's this new year. Calgary sure has some nice new rinks; the Westside arena and the Flames Community arena are two very nice facilities.

Ayreonaut · #6 Posted: **Sep 19, 2011, 6:58 PM**

That looks fantastic! It would be a great place to watch or play a game.

Innersoul1 · #7 Posted: **Sep 19, 2011, 8:28 PM**

Wow, that's a beautiful rink. It's nice that the national program finally has a solid venue!

O-tacular · #8 Posted: **Sep 20, 2011, 12:06 AM**

Glad to see the inside looking nice, considering the disappointing exterior. I'm really digging those huge wood support beams.

Now if only someone could get us some pics from inside the Sports Hall of Fame.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #9 Posted: **Sep 20, 2011, 4:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Wow, great looking facility. Definitely nicer that Father David Bauer arena. Is international sized ice?

What league do you play in?

we are not in a league this year, it was just a team shinny time.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #10 Posted: **Sep 20, 2011, 4:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubicon

Yes it is international size ice. The other 3 ice surfaces are North America size. I haven't seen the 'A' sheet since it was finished but did get a quick look back in late July. At that time they said it would be done for September 1 which was mind blowing given how much work was yet to be done. Nice to see it all coming together.

although it is capable of being expanded to international size, it is currently set up as north american size ice.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #11 Posted: **Sep 20, 2011, 4:36 PM**

i meant to mention, they spared no detail....they even have brita filters on the benches for refilling water bottles!

Bigtime · #12 Posted: **Sep 20, 2011, 4:37 PM**

Definitely a looker from the inside, pity about the outside.

Calgarian · #13 Posted: **Sep 20, 2011, 4:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenFlames

i meant to mention, they spared no detail....they even have brita filters on the benches for refilling water bottles!

Wow, hopefully my team gets a chance to play there. I played in the Corral last night and that building is literally falling apart.

DoubleK · #14 Posted: **Sep 21, 2011, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I played in the Corral last night and that building is literally falling apart.

I love skating in the Corral. Reminds me of the old Civic center type arenas in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Skated in Winsport 'A' on Monday. They really did a nice job on that facility. I think that makes 7 new sheets of ice in Calgary in the last 12 months.

hulkrogan · #15 Posted: **Sep 23, 2011, 9:17 PM**

I played on Winsport A last night and in my opinion, that is the best sheet of ice to play on in the city. We had an early ice time so the natural light was great, the ice itself was fantastic, huge benches. The only think I don't like is how the benches are on the far side of the ice.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #16 Posted: **Sep 24, 2011, 5:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I played on Winsport A last night and in my opinion, that is the best sheet of ice to play on in the city. We had an early ice time so the natural light was great, the ice itself was fantastic, huge benches. The only think I don't like is how the benches are on the far side of the ice.

i agree about the dressing rooms, they should be at least on the same side as the benches.

Surrealplaces · #17 Posted: **Oct 7, 2011, 12:28 AM**

Nice looking facility. Can't wait to see the whole complex when finished off.

lubicon · #18 Posted: **Oct 7, 2011, 3:20 PM**

I was at the arena again last night and used the new parking lot outside the sports hall of fame for the first time. The plaza and entry to the arenas is very nice and both the arena complex and the hall of fame look very nice at night from teh outside when they are lit up.