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| Edmonton Coliseum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Edmonton Coliseum |
| Nickname | Edmonton Coliseum (formerly Northlands Coliseum, Skyreach Centre, Rexall Place) |
| Location | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Opened | 1974 |
| Closed | 2018 |
| Owner | Northlands (organization) |
| Operator | Northlands (organization) |
| Capacity | 16,000–17,000 |
| Tenants | Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHA teams |
Edmonton Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena in Edmonton, Alberta that served as a focal point for ice hockey and large-scale events from its 1974 opening through its 2010s closure. The venue hosted professional NHL competition, major concert tours, and community events involving regional institutions such as University of Alberta affiliates and provincial organizations. Its operational life intersected with notable personalities, franchises, and international events that shaped Alberta's cultural landscape.
The arena was developed by Northlands (organization) during a period of expansion in Edmonton alongside projects tied to the Klondike Days fair and urban redevelopment initiatives influenced by municipal planning in Alberta. Early years featured teams from the World Hockey Association and the arrival of the Edmonton Oilers from the WHA into the NHL during the 1979 merger, a transition that involved figures such as Glen Sather, Wayne Gretzky, and executives connected to Peter Pocklington. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the arena hosted Stanley Cup playoff runs against rivals including the Philadelphia Flyers, the New York Islanders, and the Florida Panthers, while playing a role in broader events like Canada Cup hockey and international exhibition games involving teams from Soviet Union and later Russia. Ownership and naming-rights changes linked the building to corporations such as Skyreach, Rexall Pharmaceuticals, and local development consortia tied to Northlands Park planning decisions. By the 2010s, the opening of Rogers Place and shifts in arena management precipitated the Coliseum's decommissioning and eventual sale, an outcome debated among stakeholders including City of Edmonton officials, preservation advocates, and commercial developers.
Designed for multipurpose use, the building's configuration reflected design trends seen in arenas like Maple Leaf Gardens and Boston Garden with an ice surface meeting standards set by NHL regulations and sightlines considered against venues such as Mellon Arena and Madison Square Garden. Structural systems incorporated long-span roof trusses and circulation corridors similar to other mid-20th-century Canadian arenas managed by organizations linked to Canadian National Exhibition practices. The Coliseum featured seating tiers, luxury boxes introduced during renovations in the 1990s influenced by models like Scotiabank Saddledome, and back-of-house facilities utilized during tournaments such as the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Support facilities included locker rooms used by franchises associated with the WHL and training areas compatible with professional teams led by coaches like Glen Sather and Ron Low.
Primary tenants included the Edmonton Oilers during their dynasty years, the Edmonton Oil Kings, and occasional tenancy by touring teams from leagues such as the World Hockey Association and developmental clubs associated with Canadian Hockey League. The arena hosted concerts from artists comparable to those who toured venues like Calgary Saddledome and RBC Centre, with performances by international acts and festivals tied to Edmonton Folk Music Festival spin-offs and national tours that stopped in Edmonton. It also accommodated events ranging from Royal Agricultural Winter Fair-style exhibitions organized by regional societies to professional wrestling cards promoted by organizations like World Wrestling Federation and boxing bouts featuring fighters promoted through networks tied to venues in Vancouver and Toronto. Civic and political gatherings included appearances by public figures from Alberta's provincial administration and national leaders during campaign events.
Major upgrades in the 1990s and 2000s reflected trends in arena modernization undertaken across North America, paralleling projects at Scotiabank Centre and Bell Centre. Renovation scopes addressed seating refurbishment, sound and lighting systems comparable to touring standards used by productions managed by Live Nation and AEG Presents, and installation of new scoreboard technology similar to upgrades at Rexall Place-era venues. Changes to hospitality suites and corporate sponsorship arrangements mirrored shifts seen at arenas such as Canadian Tire Centre and were influenced by commercial partnerships with companies like Rexall Pharmaceuticals. Despite these investments, the opening of a new downtown facility, Rogers Place, rendered further large-scale capital projects economically unviable for the Coliseum.
The venue is linked to the Edmonton Oilers dynasty that featured multiple Stanley Cup championships and the rise of stars such as Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, creating cultural touchstones referenced in sports media from outlets like TSN and CBC Sports. Historic playoff series and concert residencies produced memorable moments comparable to milestone events at Maple Leaf Gardens and contributed to Edmonton's reputation as a touring stop for international acts. Community initiatives hosted at the arena involved local institutions such as University of Alberta student groups and regional charitable organizations, while debates over the building's future engaged preservationists and urban planners influenced by cases like the redevelopment of Exhibition Place in Toronto.
The site was accessible via major arterial routes serving Edmonton and connected to transit services operated by Edmonton Transit Service. Access patterns resembled those for other major venues in Alberta with park-and-ride arrangements, shuttle services during large events, and proximity to exhibition grounds linked to Northlands Park. Changes in venue usage prompted transit planning discussions involving municipal agencies and stakeholders similar to consultations that followed the opening of Rogers Place, impacting service levels for events and regional mobility.
Category:Sports venues in Edmonton Category:Indoor arenas in Alberta Category:Defunct National Hockey League venues