T.G. Smith Centre

The T.G. Smith Centre is an ice hockey complex in Steinbach, Manitoba. It features two indoor arenas and one outdoor ice rink.

T.G. Smith Centre
Former namesSteinbach Centennial Arena (1967-1995)
Location321 Elmdale Street
Steinbach, Manitoba
R5G 0E8
OperatorCity of Steinbach
Capacity
  • Centennial Arena
  • 1,250 (hockey)[1][2]
  • 1,600 (curling)[3]
Construction
Opened1967 (1967)
Expanded1995 (1995)
Tenants
Website
www.steinbach.ca

History

The older part of the complex, the Centennial Arena, opened in 1967 and has a capacity of 1,250. A second indoor rink was added in the mid-1990s, after which the entire complex was named after the late T.G. Smith, a local banker and supporter of local sport programs.[4] The second rink is named the T.G. Smith Arena and has a capacity of approximately 300.[1][2]

The T.G. Smith Centre has been the home of the Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League since 2009. It is also the longtime home of the Steinbach Huskies junior and senior hockey teams, as well as the community's minor hockey, ringette, and figure skating programs.

In Senior 'AAA' hockey, the arena has played host to two Allan Cup national senior "AAA" championships: the Steinbach North Stars, active from 2007 to 2010, hosted the 2009 event, while the South East Prairie Thunder hosted in 2016.[5]

In international hockey, the T.G. Smith Centre hosted the ninth place game of the 2002 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, in which Germany defeated Finland.[6]

Aside from hockey, the T.G. Smith Centre has hosted two Manitoba Provincial Curling Championships (2006, 2010). The Centennial Arena's capacity can be increased to 1,600 for curling.[3]

The arena underwent major renovations in 2017 which saw the installation of a new ceiling cover and LED lighting in the Centennial Arena. In addition, a new high definition video scoreboard was purchased for the Pistons and an outdoor fireplace was installed in front of the building.[7][8] In March 2019, the T.G. Smith Centre hosted Rogers Hometown Hockey, the first time the program was hosted by a southeastern Manitoba community.

Future

In June 2012, the Steinbach city council began planning the construction of new recreational facilities for the city.[9][10][11] The first phase of the project, a movie theatre and the new Steinbach Curling Club attached to the T.G. Smith Centre, was completed in October 2014. However, city council cancelled the remainder of this project in 2016.[12] Another proposal was put forth and approved by city council in 2019 which would see part of the existing T.G. Smith Centre, namely the Centennial Arena, replaced with a new 2,500-seat arena, field house, and atrium.[13]

Major Events

References
  1. "Steinbach Parks And Rec Prepare For Playoffs". SteinbachOnline.com. 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  2. "More Seats Coming For Piston's Games". SteinbachOnline.com. 17 July 2014.
  3. "Safeway Curling Championship coming to Steinbach". MySteinbach. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  4. "Steinbach Heritage Walking Tour" (PDF). MySteinbach. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-14. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  5. "2016 Allan Cup Confirmed In Steinbach". 5 September 2014.
  6. "World U17 Championship". Hockey's Future. 3 January 2002. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  7. http://www.steinbach.ca/notices-and-announcements/new-video-scoreboard-installed-at-arena/
  8. http://www.steinbachpistons.ca/new-led-lights-roof-cover-installed-at-t-g-smith-centre
  9. "Chamber Welcomes Multiplex Announcement". SteinbachOnline.com. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  10. "Recreation/Cultural Multiplex To Be Built Downtown". SteinbachOnline.com. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  11. "New location for Steinbach curling rink decided". MySteinbach.ca. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  12. https://www.mysteinbach.ca/newsblog/31260.html
  13. "City Council Unanimously Endorses New Events Centre Plan". SteinbachOnline.com. 1 October 2019.

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