Calumet Colosseum

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Calumet Colosseum in 2020

The Calumet Colosseum is an ice hockey arena in Calumet, Michigan, built in 1913. It is considered the oldest operating continuous-use ice rink in North America.[1] It is one of the oldest operating indoor hockey arenas in the world, only a few years younger than the Matthews Arena, which opened in 1910. The building is a three-story, barrel roof structure.[2] It has a seating capacity of 700.[3]

History[]

Construction of the Colosseum began in 1913[1] with the formal opening on January 1, 1914.[4] The first game was played on January 6, between the Calumet Wolverines and the Portage Lake Pioneers.[1][5]

In 1942, the National Guard armory in Calumet burned down and the Colosseum was sold to the State of Michigan.[2][1] The name was changed to the Calumet Armory and it was used by the Calumet Detachment of the Michigan National Guard.[6] Artificial ice was installed in 1968.[1] In 2005, Calumet Township traded 12 acres of land for a new armory in exchange for the arena, and reverted the name to Calumet Colosseum.[1]

In 2019, Calumet was the winner of Kraft Hockeyville USA, winning $150,000 for upgrades to the Colosseum.[7] The arena received a new ice plant, a new heating system, sound system, and refurbished locker rooms.[3] As part of winning the contest, the arena held an NHL pre-season game between the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues on September 26, 2019. The Red Wings won the game, 4-1.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "100 Years Young: Calumet Colosseum". USA Hockey Magazine. March 2013.
  2. ^ a b Busch, Jane C. (August 2013). "Copper Country Survey: Final Report and Historic Preservation Plan" (PDF). National Park Service. p. 88.
  3. ^ a b c Satriano, David. "Hockeyville USA boon to Calumet". nhl.com. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  4. ^ "Colosseum is Opened". The Calumet News. January 2, 1914. p. 8.
  5. ^ "Copper Country rink celebrates anniversary". Marquette, MI: WNMU-FM. Associated Press. January 6, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Arenas: Calumet Colosseum". Calumet Hockey Association. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  7. ^ Champion, Brandon (April 1, 2019). "Michigan's Calumet Colosseum, the oldest ice arena in the world, to host NHL game". MLive.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

External links[]

Coordinates: 47°14′38″N 88°27′02″W / 47.2438°N 88.4506°W / 47.2438; -88.4506

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