Summerside Arena

Summerside Arena is the local name for the ice-sports section of Consolidated Credit Union Place, the large recreation complex at 511 Notre Dame Street in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Summerside is the island’s second-largest city, on Bedeque Bay on the south shore, and the complex is the main place for indoor sports, community events and big gatherings. The arena section opened in March 2007, and it replaced older facilities in the city with a modern building that could host regional competitions as well as everyday skating and hockey.

The ice surfaces are the centre of the building. There are two NHL-size rinks, one of them the main arena with permanent seating, and the other a practice and community rink. They host minor hockey, figure skating, adult leagues, public skating sessions and tournaments through the winter season. The main arena is the home of the Summerside Western Capitals, a junior hockey team that plays in the Maritime Junior Hockey League, and their home games draw loyal crowds. Hockey is the sport of the region, and watching a game with local fans is a good way to feel the community spirit. For concerts and other large events, the seating can be rearranged to accommodate a much bigger crowd than a hockey game would attract.

The arena is part of a larger complex. Under the same roof or on the same site are an aquatics centre, with a 25-metre competition pool, a leisure pool and a water slide, a fitness centre and gym, an indoor walking track, bowling lanes and a conference centre. Together these make the complex a place where residents spend long hours through the year, and visitors can find activities for a whole family on a wet or cold day. Meeting rooms and banquet spaces are rented for conferences, weddings and trade shows, and the building often hosts provincial championships and cultural events.

Visitors who arrive for a game or event will find a bright, modern interior, with wide concourses, concession stands and clear sightlines from the seating. Parking is available around the building, and the complex is close to the centre of the city and easy to reach by car. While the building is mainly used by local clubs and teams, public skating and swimming sessions are scheduled at set times, so check the official website for the current timetable and for ticket information for specific events.

The arena suits hockey fans, families with children and travellers who want to see local life. Summerside also has a pleasant harbour boardwalk, shops and restaurants, and the complex fits into a day exploring the city. Dress warmly for the rink, since the seating areas are cool, and arrive early for popular games.