SPORTS
ARENA HISTORY
The Arena c. 1940s-50s. Photo courtesy of A&SC, MUN Library, COLL-202, Accession No. 92-036.
The Story of the Wabana Skating Rink & Bartlett Memorial Arena
In the first week of October, 1912, a meeting took place to discuss the erection of a skating rink on Bell Island. The shareholders were principally staff members of the two mining Companies, and a Stock Company was formed with an initial subscription list of $3,000. Construction began that Fall with Mark Gosse of Spaniard's Bay as contractor. It was constructed on the Scotia Ridge and was completed and opened in February 1913. It quickly became a popular amusement centre under the direction of the Wabana Skating Rink Company. The building contained separate dressing rooms for ladies and gentlemen, a ticket office and a meeting room for directors. Weekly hockey games were played that winter between the Companies. The first event in the Wabana Rink was an Ice Carnival on February 11th. The surface was in splendid condition and the attendance was one of the largest seen indoors on the Island up to that time. In 1929, the Rink was enlarged to include a gymnasium, dressing rooms and a gallery. "It was the beginning of its life as The Arena." Source: Addison Bown's "Newspaper History of Bell Island," V. 1, p. 39 (1912); V. 2, p. 27 (1929). In July 1956, prefabricated material arrived for the new Bell Island hockey arena and work began on the construction of the steel-frame building, which had a regulation-size artificial ice surface. The new Bartlett Memorial Arena, named in honour of Monseigneur Bartlett (a great patron of local athletics, who had died September 1956 after 32 years serving Bell Island) was officially opened in March 1957. (Submarine Miner, August 1956; September 1956; March 1957.)
The first mention in The Daily News of hockey being played on Bell Island was in February 1907 when the Island was reported to have a good hockey team who were practicing on an outside rink. As far as can be ascertained, that outside rink was in the same location where the 1913 rink was built, which is its present location on Scotia Ridge. Other activities took place at the rink when it was not being used for ice skating and hockey. In the summer of 1913, Bell Island's first moving picture theatre was operated there when Jack Rossley engaged the space until November. As well in 1913, the final rally of the general election campaign took place there with 1500 people in attendance. In June 1914, a Nickel was opened under new management at the rink. The films came from the Nickel Theatre in St. John's. 600 people attended the opening show, with Gertrude Lawton providing the musical accompaniment to the silent movies. Admission, as implied by the name, was five cents. In July, the members of the newly formed Cadet Catholic Corps and Church Lads Brigade were guests of manager Pine and the directors of the Nickel. During the First World War, the Women's Patriotic Association used halls and schools all over Bell Island to carry out their work in putting together care packages to send overseas to the troops. One of their centers of activity was the Wabana Rink on Scotia Ridge. On November 10, 1927, a severe wind storm blew the roof off the rink, damaging the home of William Lindsay, next to it on Wall Street. In 1932, the people of Bell Island were feeling the effects of the Great Depression when the annual winter carnival was held at the arena. The first prize for children's costumes was won by George Cantwell, who dressed as "Poor Relief." William Power won the adult prize as a local resident "going over the hill to the poor house." Then, in December 1932, the largest card game ever held at the arena, with 552 people taking part, was won by the future leader of the Wabana Mine Workers' Union, Nish Jackman, who had just opened a store in his father's premises at The Front. Over the years, the arena has been host to many other events such as wrestling matches and other travelling shows, live musical events, concerts and dances. In the 1960s, roller skating was introduced during the summer season.
From its beginnings 100 years ago, the arena has been a gathering place for all members of the community, bringing together people of all ages and religious affiliations, and from all economic and ethnic backgrounds. It is truly an ecumenical center.
The first mention in The Daily News of hockey being played on Bell Island was in February 1907 when the Island was reported to have a good hockey team who were practicing on an outside rink. As far as can be ascertained, that outside rink was in the same location where the 1913 rink was built, which is its present location on Scotia Ridge. Other activities took place at the rink when it was not being used for ice skating and hockey. In the summer of 1913, Bell Island's first moving picture theatre was operated there when Jack Rossley engaged the space until November. As well in 1913, the final rally of the general election campaign took place there with 1500 people in attendance. In June 1914, a Nickel was opened under new management at the rink. The films came from the Nickel Theatre in St. John's. 600 people attended the opening show, with Gertrude Lawton providing the musical accompaniment to the silent movies. Admission, as implied by the name, was five cents. In July, the members of the newly formed Cadet Catholic Corps and Church Lads Brigade were guests of manager Pine and the directors of the Nickel. During the First World War, the Women's Patriotic Association used halls and schools all over Bell Island to carry out their work in putting together care packages to send overseas to the troops. One of their centers of activity was the Wabana Rink on Scotia Ridge. On November 10, 1927, a severe wind storm blew the roof off the rink, damaging the home of William Lindsay, next to it on Wall Street. In 1932, the people of Bell Island were feeling the effects of the Great Depression when the annual winter carnival was held at the arena. The first prize for children's costumes was won by George Cantwell, who dressed as "Poor Relief." William Power won the adult prize as a local resident "going over the hill to the poor house." Then, in December 1932, the largest card game ever held at the arena, with 552 people taking part, was won by the future leader of the Wabana Mine Workers' Union, Nish Jackman, who had just opened a store in his father's premises at The Front. Over the years, the arena has been host to many other events such as wrestling matches and other travelling shows, live musical events, concerts and dances. In the 1960s, roller skating was introduced during the summer season.
From its beginnings 100 years ago, the arena has been a gathering place for all members of the community, bringing together people of all ages and religious affiliations, and from all economic and ethnic backgrounds. It is truly an ecumenical center.
Share certificate for The Wabana Skating Rink Company, 1913. Photo courtesy of Ruth Archibald.
