Memorial Not Alone In Ontario

Memorial Arena in Downtown Belleville

They were built to last. And they don't go down easy.

Some are gone. Some are still standing.

Belleville's venerable Memorial Arena is the latest in a long line of outstanding antique rinks throughout Ontario that have either confronted serious operating problems or have disappeared entirely with the arrival of fancy new buildings or multi-purpose facilities.

Memorial Arena has been closed for several weeks, ever since a major meltdown in the refrigeration unit caused the city to close the doors of one of the oldest rinks in the province.

Belleville city council is still pondering options for the downtown structure whose most famous tenants were the 1958 Allan Cup champion and '59 world champion Belleville McFarlands Sr. A hockey clubs.
Sadly, for some, Memorial Arena could be on the chopping block.

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