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EspañolSTEELBACK CENTRE
The 'Steelback Centre' is a 4,400 seat sports and entertainment centre in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It opened on September 28, 2006, replacing the now demolished Sault Memorial Gardens. The new building was constructed directly next door to the former Memorial Gardens and incorporated its most distinctive feature, the Memorial Tower, into its plans. The block surrounding the arena is called "Memorial Square."
The primary tenant of the Steelback Centre is the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds made their regular season debut in their new home on October 11, 2006, against the Sudbury Wolves, losing 2-1 before a paid attendance of 4,725. [1]
Naming rights
Naming rights to the new building were purchased by Steelback Brewery of Tiverton, Ontario. The deal was approved by Sault Ste. Marie's city council on May 29, 2006 in a 9-1 vote. The deal will see Steelback own the naming rights to the facility for $135,000 per year, over a period of ten years.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie in conjunction with Steelback, held an official logo unveiling for the Steelback Centre on Saturday August 26, 2006 at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion in Sault Ste. Marie. [2]There the new logo was officially unveiled, along with a list of upcoming shows.
About the arena
Interior of Steelback Centre, showing hockey rink.
Interior of Steelback Centre, setting up for Basketball.
The main entrance to the facility is located in the North West Corner of the building, adjacent to the Memorial Tower. In the same corner are the main ticket windows.
Concourse level
There are major entrances to the concourse level from each of the four corners of the Steelback Centre. Located on the concourse level are four main concessions in each corner of the facility, and four beer stations on the North and South ends. On the west side of the concourse level is the Greyhound merchandise store.
Event level
The event level of the Steelback Centre houses all player and official dressing rooms, kitchen facilities, multi-purpose, and break-out rooms, as well as technical, storage, and loading in and out functions. Also included on the event level is the Greyhounds' dressing room complex which is equipped with coaching and training rooms, weight rooms, showers, and phsyiothrerapy areas.
Suite level
The suite level of the Steelback Centre houses 13 private suites, a VIP room located on the north end, media and broadcasting rooms, and all administration offices for both the Greyhounds Hockey Club and City of Sault Ste. Marie staff. Private suites ranging in seating size from six to ten persons. The VIP Room has a capacity of 100 persons and is available for all events at the Steelback Centre by contacting the Marketing and Events Manager.
Future upgrades
In Phase I of the construction process, 13 luxury suites with 10 seats in each were built. In Phase II, the city will eventually add on an additional 11 suites. The Phase II suites were already sold and almost included in the construction of the building but the cost became prohibitive due to an exclusive building contract with Bondfield Construction until the facility is done.
The money was returned to those who put down deposits and there is now a waiting list for the suites. Since the arena is now complete, the city will be able to open up the bid process in early 2007 to all general contractors and get a more competitive price for the additional construction.
Phase III of the project would see the addition of a further 12 suites for a total of 36 in the facility. On Monday January 13th 2007 Sault Ste. Marie city council approved the construction of up to 24 more suites bringing the total to 37. It is not currently known when or if the construction will take place.[3]
The Steelback centre includes a multimillion-dollar scoreboard with an installed video component with replay capability. Wireless Internet access will be available in the facility. Elephant seating at the south end of the rink will be installed to increase seating capacity.
External Features
The block on which the Steelback Centre is located is named "Memorial Square," as it is located on the grounds of the former Sault Memorial Gardens, the Greyhounds' former home. Memorial Square features the Memorial Tower, the last standing remnant of the Gardens; the tower was preserved and refurbished after the Gardens was demolished in the summer of 2006.
The sidewalk in front of the Steelback Centre's North end (facing Queen Street) features the 'Sault Ste Marie Walk of Fame', a series of markers honouring those from the Sault Ste Marie area who have made significant contributions to the community or their chosen field of work. The Walk of Fame was formally unveiled on September 30, 2006, during the Steelback Centre's grand opening weekend. ''(For more information, including a list of inductees, please see "Sault Ste Marie Walk of Fame.")''
Events
Past events
★ September 29, 2006 - October 1: Steelback Centre opening ceremonies
★ October 11, 2006 - Greyhounds home opener
★ November 11, 2006 - Remembrance Day Ceremony
★ December 2, 2006 - Children's Aid Society concert, featuring Fred Penner
★ December 6, 2006 - Mötley Crüe concert
★ December 17, 2006 - Celebration on Ice, featuring Kurt Browning
★ January 11, 2007 - Clifford the Big Red Dog
★ January 23, 2007 - The Tragically Hip concert with Kathleen Edwards
★ February 17, 2007 - Barenaked Ladies concert with Tomi Swick
★ March 20, 2007 - Heaven and Hell concert with Megadeth and Down
★ April 20, 2007 - Jann Arden Concert with SHeDAISY
★ May 7-8, 2007 - Garden Brothers Circus
★ July 15, 2007 - INXS concert with Stiffler's Mom
★ August 2007 - Harley Davidson owners group bike rally
★ August 4, 2007 - Hotel California "The Original Tribute to The Eagles"[4]
Future events
★ September 11, 2007 - Hilary Duff concert
★ September 22, 2007 - Sault Ste Marie Walk of Fame Event
★ September 28, 2007 - Soo Greyhounds 2007/2008 Home Opener
★ October 26, 2007 - Big Air Insanity (Motocross/BMX Show)
★ October 27, 2007 - Sum 41 with Finger Eleven concert [5]
★ February 5-6, 2008 - OHL All-Star Skills Competition and All-Star Game
2008 OHL All-Star Classic
On 2006-10-11 David Branch, commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League announced that the 2008 OHL All-Star Classic had been awarded to the Greyhounds and the City of Sault Ste. Marie. [6] [7]
The 2006-10-12 Sault Star reported that OHL Commissioner Dave Branch "admitted, at a late afternoon press conference, that the league had privately committed to the Sault nearly two years ago" provided the new arena was completed. Branch said that "had the Steelback Centre not been built, the city's chances of playing host to this event would have been extremely remote."
Photo Gallery
References
# Game Report - 1st Game at Steelback Centre
# Walk of Fame
# News about Hall of Fame inductees
# Star'' article on the unveiling of the Steelback Centre logo
# All-Star Classic
# Greyhounds News
# article on future suites
# article on Heaven and Hell and Megadeth playing in the Sault
See Also
★ Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
★ Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds
★ Ontario Hockey League
★ Sault Memorial Gardens
★ Sault Ste Marie Walk of Fame
External links
★ Steelback Centre Offical Website
★ The OHL Arena & Travel Guide - Steelback Centre
★ www.SooGreyhounds.net Steelback Centre Forum
★ Walk of Fame information from the Sault Ste Marie Downtown Association
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