Ricoh Coliseum
Encyclopedia
Ricoh Coliseum is an ice hockey
and agricultural arena at Exhibition Place
in Toronto
. It serves as the home arena of the Toronto Marlies
, the American Hockey League
farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs
, and the Toronto Triumph
of the Lingerie Football League
. It was formerly known as the CNE Coliseum. It has served as the display ring for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
since 1922. Since 1997, it has been part of the 'Direct Energy Centre' exhibition complex.
(CNE) and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, it was claimed to be the largest structure of its kind in North America.
On April 4, 1922, it was the site of the Johnny Dundee
vs Jimmy Goodrich boxing match promoted by Jack Corcoran that set a new indoor sports attendance record for Toronto with 11,900 spectators packed into the building. The mark would stand until the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens
in 1931.
From 1942 to 1945, the building was used as a training base for the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
and known as the 'Manning Depot'. A photo of it as the RCAF Manning Depot is in the New Westminster Museum and Archives # IHP9562-003. After the war, it mainly hosted equestrian events for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the CNE and other events. The arena was also used as a horse barn.
In the 1960s, the southern exterior was recladded with black and white siding to update its look. In 1997, the National Trade Centre exhibition complex was built. The complex included new buildings to the south and southeast of the Coliseum, which abutted the front of the Coliseum, placing its main entrance indoors. The exterior cladding was removed, restoring the original appearance, albeit indoors.
In 2003, as part of its efforts to make Exhibition Place self-sufficient, the arena was extensively renovated, expanding its capacity by building a new higher roof and adding new seats in the expanded area. After its 2003 renovation, the Coliseum is now used for professional ice hockey, the Royal Canadian Horse Show during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and various events during the CNE. During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 CNE, it was used for a figure skating show.
, the AHL farm team of the Edmonton Oilers
. Japan
ese office supply company Ricoh
was granted corporate naming rights to the new facility. On November 1, 2003 it made its debut as an ice hockey venue, as the Roadrunners tied the Rochester Americans
1-1. After the 2003-2004 season, the Oilers chose to relocate
the Roadrunners to Edmonton
for the 2004-2005 season due to poor attendance and anticipation of the impending 2004–05 NHL lockout.
The Ricoh Coliseum was left without a tenant for a year until after the 2004-2005 season, when the Toronto Maple Leafs
announced that they would be relocating their AHL farm team
from St. John's, Newfoundland to Toronto. This team, renamed the Toronto Marlies
, took up residence in the Coliseum for the 2005-2006 season. They debuted in their new home on October 12, 2005 with a 5-2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch
, in front of a crowd of 8,056.
The Ricoh Coliseum hosted the 2007 AHL
All-Star Game on January 29, 2007.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
and agricultural arena at Exhibition Place
Exhibition Place
Exhibition Place is a mixed-use district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, by the shoreline of Lake Ontario, just west of downtown. The 197–acre area includes expo, trade, and banquet centres, theatre and music buildings, monuments, parkland, sports facilities, and a number of civic, provincial,...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. It serves as the home arena of the Toronto Marlies
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies is a Canadian professional ice hockey team currently playing in the American Hockey League . The top affiliate of the National Hockey League 's Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies play at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario...
, the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and the Toronto Triumph
Toronto Triumph
The Toronto Triumph is an expansion team in the Lingerie Football League which began play in the 2011-12 season. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the Triumph plays their home games at Ricoh Coliseum.Donna Paul is the team's starting quarterback...
of the Lingerie Football League
Lingerie Football League
The Lingerie Football League is a women's 7-on-7 tackle American football league, created in 2009, with games played in the fall and winter at NBA, NFL, NHL and MLS arenas and stadiums. The league was founded by Mitch Mortaza...
. It was formerly known as the CNE Coliseum. It has served as the display ring for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, colloquially called The Royal, is an annual fall fair in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which takes place over two weeks in November...
since 1922. Since 1997, it has been part of the 'Direct Energy Centre' exhibition complex.
History
Initially known as the Civic Arena, the building had its official public opening on December 16, 1921. A joint construction project of the Canadian National ExhibitionCanadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
(CNE) and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, it was claimed to be the largest structure of its kind in North America.
On April 4, 1922, it was the site of the Johnny Dundee
Johnny Dundee
Johnny Dundee was a featherweight and junior lightweight boxer who fought from 1910 until 1932. Dundee was born Giuseppe Curreri in Sciacca, Sicily, but was raised in the United States....
vs Jimmy Goodrich boxing match promoted by Jack Corcoran that set a new indoor sports attendance record for Toronto with 11,900 spectators packed into the building. The mark would stand until the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
in 1931.
From 1942 to 1945, the building was used as a training base for the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and known as the 'Manning Depot'. A photo of it as the RCAF Manning Depot is in the New Westminster Museum and Archives # IHP9562-003. After the war, it mainly hosted equestrian events for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the CNE and other events. The arena was also used as a horse barn.
In the 1960s, the southern exterior was recladded with black and white siding to update its look. In 1997, the National Trade Centre exhibition complex was built. The complex included new buildings to the south and southeast of the Coliseum, which abutted the front of the Coliseum, placing its main entrance indoors. The exterior cladding was removed, restoring the original appearance, albeit indoors.
In 2003, as part of its efforts to make Exhibition Place self-sufficient, the arena was extensively renovated, expanding its capacity by building a new higher roof and adding new seats in the expanded area. After its 2003 renovation, the Coliseum is now used for professional ice hockey, the Royal Canadian Horse Show during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and various events during the CNE. During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 CNE, it was used for a figure skating show.
Hockey usage
In January 2003, the Coliseum underwent a massive renovation in preparation for the arrival of the Toronto RoadrunnersToronto Roadrunners
The Toronto Roadrunners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Ricoh Coliseum. In their only season the Roadrunners featured players such as Jani Rita, Jamie Wright and Steve Valiquette who helped them advance to the AHL playoffs where...
, the AHL farm team of the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese office supply company Ricoh
Ricoh
or Ricoh, is a Japanese company that was established in 1936 on February 6th, as , a company in the RIKEN zaibatsu. Its headquarters is located in Ricoh Building in Chūō, Tokyo....
was granted corporate naming rights to the new facility. On November 1, 2003 it made its debut as an ice hockey venue, as the Roadrunners tied the Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
1-1. After the 2003-2004 season, the Oilers chose to relocate
Edmonton Road Runners
The Edmonton Road Runners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at Rexall Place.-History:...
the Roadrunners to Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
for the 2004-2005 season due to poor attendance and anticipation of the impending 2004–05 NHL lockout.
The Ricoh Coliseum was left without a tenant for a year until after the 2004-2005 season, when the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
announced that they would be relocating their AHL farm team
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
from St. John's, Newfoundland to Toronto. This team, renamed the Toronto Marlies
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies is a Canadian professional ice hockey team currently playing in the American Hockey League . The top affiliate of the National Hockey League 's Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies play at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario...
, took up residence in the Coliseum for the 2005-2006 season. They debuted in their new home on October 12, 2005 with a 5-2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Syracuse, New York, at the War Memorial at Oncenter...
, in front of a crowd of 8,056.
The Ricoh Coliseum hosted the 2007 AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
All-Star Game on January 29, 2007.