MTS Iceplex

MTS Iceplex
Location 3969 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Coordinates 49°53′8″N 97°19′41″W / 49.88556°N 97.32806°W / 49.88556; -97.32806Coordinates: 49°53′8″N 97°19′41″W / 49.88556°N 97.32806°W / 49.88556; -97.32806
Owner True North Sports & Entertainment Limited
Capacity Canadian Tire Arena - 1,350[1]
Assiniboine Credit Union Arena - 225[1]
Red River Co-op Arena - 225[1]
RE/MAX Arena - 225[1]
Construction
Broke ground July 2009
Opened August 2010
Construction cost $26.6 million CAD[2]
($29 million in 2016 dollars[3])
Tenants
Winnipeg Jets (NHL) 2011-present
Manitoba Moose (AHL) 2010-2011; 2015-present
Winnipeg Blues (MJHL) 2010-present
Winnipeg Wild (MMHL) 2010-present
St. Pauls Crusaders (WHSHL) 2010-present
Balmoral Hall Blazers (JWHL) 2010-present
Manitoba Maple Leafs (WWHL) 2010-present
Website
mtsiceplex.ca

The MTS Iceplex and Hockey Canada Centre of Excellence is an ice hockey facility located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 172,000-square-foot (16,000 m2) building is owned and operated by True North Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the MTS Centre in downtown Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League use the Iceplex as their practice and training facility.[2][4]

Construction

The MTS Iceplex, originally known as the True North MoosePlex Hockey Canada Centre, was built on time and within its budget, at a cost of $26.6 million Canadian. The federal and provincial governments contributed $11.7 million, while True North covered the remaining $14.9 million.[2] In exchange for public funding, True North guaranteed use of the facility for local amateur and recreational hockey.[4]

In April 2010, True North entered a naming rights agreement with MTS, and the facility was renamed the MTS Iceplex. MTS owns the naming rights to both of True North's major facilities, the other being the MTS Centre.[5]

In 2015, True North unveiled plans for a 21,000 square foot expansion to the facility. The $7.5 million addition is expected to be completed in 2016.[6]

Facilities

The Iceplex is open year round and consists of four arenas, each with an NHL regulation size ice surface. Each rink is sponsored by a local business: the Canadian Tire Arena seats 1,350 spectators, while the RE/MAX, Assiniboine Credit Union, and Red River Co-op Arenas seat 225 each.[5] The Iceplex also features dryland training facilities, 22 dressing rooms, a pro shop, a restaurant and bar, conference rooms, and office space for Hockey Manitoba, Hockey Canada, and True North.[1][5][7] The complex is located just outside the west Perimeter Highway, next to Assiniboia Downs, Pointe West AutoPark, and the Red River Exhibition grounds.

Events

The Iceplex was one of three venues that hosted the 2011 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, a major international hockey tournament held by Hockey Canada each winter. It was slated to host the 2012 tournament as well, but Hockey Canada, at the request of True North, decided to relocate the tournament to Windsor, Ontario in June 2011.[8][9]

Notable events taking place annually at the Iceplex include the Manitoba Junior Hockey League showcase, Manitoba Senior 'A' championship, and Hockey Manitoba Cup.[10][11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "MTS Iceplex - Quick Facts". MTSIceplex.ca. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  2. 1 2 3 "Iceplex opens". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  3. ↑ Canadian inflation numbers based on Statistics Canada. "Consumer Price Index, historical summary". CANSIM, table (for fee) 326-0021 and Catalogue nos. 62-001-X, 62-010-X and 62-557-X. And Consumer Price Index, by province (monthly) (Canada) Last modified 2016-01-22. Retrieved March 2, 2016
  4. 1 2 "Grand opening for MTS Iceplex". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  5. 1 2 3 "Mooseplex renamed MTS Iceplex". CBC.ca. 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  6. ↑ "TSNE announces addition to MTS Iceplex". MTSIceplex.com. 2015-09-01.
  7. ↑ "IF YOU BUILD IT… MANITOBA'S U17 HOSTS SHOWCASE NEW ARENAS". Hockey Canada. 2011-02-11. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  8. ↑ "Winnipeg to host World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2011 and 2012". HockeyManitoba.ca. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  9. ↑ "Windsor, Ont., to host 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". mjhlhockey.ca. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  10. ↑ "Hockey Manitoba Cup". Hockey Manitoba. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  11. ↑ "MJHL Showcase". MJHL. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
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