By Devonna Edwards, Columnist
Prior to indoor rinks, ice skating and hockey were conducted on frozen ponds and lakes in the Halifax area. The Halifax Harbour and Bedford Basin in earlier years would freeze over and provide winter recreational activity. These popular activities on a gusty cold day, although enjoyable, could be unpleasant when frozen toes and fingers began to thaw. So, it was an exciting time for Haligonians when the first covered rink was built providing them with better protection from the cold, wind, and other poor weather conditions.
High Society Rink
Hundreds of people frequently skated on Griffins Pond in the Public Gardens and had a vision for a more comfortable skating atmosphere during the long cold winter. In January 1863, their wish became reality when a covered skating rink was built in the Horticultural Garden, today called the Public Gardens. It was the first indoor rink on the east coast of Canada and the very first indoor hockey game was played there. The Rink was only available to the elite of Halifax, members of the Horticultural Society, or the wealthy. The structure built by the Halifax Skating Rink Company had its entrance on South Park Street. The long, low building was described as sixty feet wide and 180 feet long with an arched roof. An elevated platform was situated at the other end of the building to accommodate the band whose music contributed to the popular activity of dancing on the ice, especially the favored “waltz.” The skating season went from January to March due to the use of natural ice in the Rink. In the summer months, the surface was boarded for roller skating. The rink became dilapidated over time and in 1889 the old structure was demolished.
The Empire Rink Exhibition Building
This magnificent structure opened in 1879 on Tower Road where the Cathedral Church of All Saints stands today. The building was the largest in Nova Scotia at that time and was the first permanent Exhibition Building in Halifax. The rink built by the Halifax Skating Rink Company, had a semi-circular drive, which led to the main entrance on Tower Road. The structure was 231 feet long and eighty feet wide with a red slate coloured mansard roof. Towers stood at each corner, with an octagonal roofed tower occupying the front of the structure. In the winter, ice skating carnivals and dancing on the ice became even more popular, and in the summer, the provincial agricultural show and manufacturing exhibits were held there. Boxing matches and other activities also took place. In 1896, city council sold the Exhibition Building and grounds.
The Halifax Exhibition Building also known as The Provincial Exhibition Building
The indoor facility was built on the corner of Windsor and Almon Streets in 1880. The Exhibition show cased industries from all parts of Nova Scotia. Displays of fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers, livestock, fine art, cutting edge machinery and other interesting displays were enjoyed by the many visitors. It was not clear if hockey was played in this facility, but it did have a rink because there is documented history that the Halifax Skating Club had figure skating there. It drew over 60,000 spectators a year. The Exhibition Building was destroyed in the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917, and temporary apartments were built on its grounds soon after, to house the homeless from the Explosion.
The Halifax Forum
The facility was built in 1927 on the site of the Provincial Exhibition Grounds. Architect Andrew Cobb designed the red brick Georgian styled structure. Two large brick pilasters formed the entrance on the front and rear of the facility. Impressive arched windows were located both in the front and rear of the facility. A white granite string course wrapped around the entire building. The Forum had the first artificial ice surface east of Montreal, with a seating capacity of 5,000. The new Forum also held the annual exhibition, which did not have a home since the Explosion destroyed the Provincial Exhibition Building. In 1948 the Forum property was owned by King George VI and sold to the City of Halifax that year, today HRM still owns it. The Forum (only the original building) was designated as a heritage property in 2003. Today plans are in process to redevelop the 95-year-old Halifax Forum building.
The Halifax Arena also called the Shirley Street Arena
The arena was located on the corner of Shirley and Cherry Streets. Although it is unknown when the structure was built, St. Mary’s College on Windsor Street had a hockey team in 1906 and used the Shirley Street Arena for its home hockey games. They held their practises in their own rink called the ‘Rorum’ built in 1906, described as a low wooden building beside the college. The ‘Rorum’ was demolished in 1946. The Shirley Street Arena was demolished in 1957.
Photo by Danik Prihodko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-tying-shoelaces-on-ice-skates-8219217/
