The historic Edmonton arena will be dark this winter after the city pulls the plugs on needed renovations.
Edmonton’s historic Bill Hunter Arena will be dark this winter after city officials pulled the plug on a renovation project this summer, though its long-term future looks brighter.
Renovation work was 40 percent completed when the city halted the renovation work, saying it was subpar. The plan is to finish the renovation work for a grand reopening in fall 2009.
In hockey-crazed Edmonton, the loss of a 1,700-seat arena is a big blow: it’s the biggest city facility, and its loss will impact hockey teams and figure skaters.
Bil Hunter Arena, built in 1963 and named after the man who brought the WHA and NHL to Edmonton, formerly was the home of the Edmonton Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
