The Final Decade of the Saskatoon Arena and the Birth of SaskPlace
Saskatoon’s Arena rink was built downtown on 19th Street along the riverbank near the CNR railroad tracks. It opened in 1937. This venue held the largest audience capacity in the city for the next fifty years.
From 1966-1988, the Arena was the home of the Saskatoon Blades hockey team. Once Saskplace was built in the north end of the city, the Arena lost its role as the main sporting and large event venue in the city.
The Saskatoon Arena. Photo courtesy of the author.
The 1980s were the last decade of the Arena. The entire decade was full of different plans and unfulfilled promises of a new larger arena in the city. As such, the downtown Arena kept attracting many of the top concerts that were not suitable for the Centennial Auditorium. This included sports events, circus events, trade shows, and big rock concerts!
Advertisement for Cheap Trick Concert. Saskatoon Star Phoenix, November 26, 1980.
The 1980s began with a new PA system for the rink. Cheap Trick, one of the biggest bands in the world at the time, performed on December 10th, 1980. Tickets cost $10.
Saskatchewan’s most popular band Streetheart, out of Regina and led by singer Kenny Shields, returned to the Arena for another show this time with the opening acts Hammersmith And Millions on August 8th, 1980. This was a big year for Streetheart as they released two studio albums: ‘Quicksand Shoes’ and ‘Drugstore Dancer.’
Other big-name performers at the Arena that year included two popular Canadian recording acts: Richmond, Ontario’s The Good Brothers, and Cape Breton’s Matt Minglewood Band.
Advertisement for Regina rock group Streetheart. Saskatoon Star Phoenix, July 18, 1980.
In 1981, City Council debated frequently about building a new arena. It was decided a new Arena would not be built on the University grounds.[1]
That year, southern US rock band The Ozark Mountain Daredevils were scheduled to perform for a student cabaret, but the city refused them a liquor license, so the show was cancelled. The perennial Harlem Globetrotters basketball touring show returned for a tenth time, since first performing in Saskatoon in 1957, on November 25th.
In 1982, the favoured arena location was, at the time, the Lawson Heights area.[2] The Exhibition grounds was also considering building a facility to compete with the Arena. That February, it was decided that the Exhibition grounds would be the site for a new Arena rink seating 5000.[3] At the same time, Bill Hunter was working on bringing an NHL franchise to Saskatoon and had considered building a much larger Arena that had a seating capacity of 18,000.[4] Blueprints were designed for a new building with a skating rink built below ground level.[5]
Hearkening back to the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, after their cancelled show they were scheduled to return in 1982 and successfully performed on April 17th. Canadian rock band April Wine returned along with Johnny Winter on October 22nd. And of course, the Harlem Globetrotters returned on November 1 and 2, 1982.
British Heavy metal band Iron Maiden was scheduled to perform on September 22nd, 1983. Tickets were $12.50. The band was in town, but stories claim that the drummer hurt his hand the day of the show. They ended up cancelling.[6] Members Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris went to the local bar instead- the A-Four on 2nd Avenue. Coney Hatch was there and played a few songs and then the members of Iron Maiden jammed a few songs. Saskatoon citizens Regan Fey and Blair Schoffer were there in the audience. Years later, Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden was famously seen eating chicken wings at Winston’s Pub!
Advertisement for world famous British heavy metal group Iron Maiden. Saskatoon Star Phoenix, August 27, 1983.
Headpins and Helix performed on December 17th of that year. This was the only music concert I attended at the Arena. I was a small and short twelve-year-old child. The security at the main doors checked everyone for alcohol and drugs as they entered the building. I was the only person in the long lineup that was not checked due to being a child. The adults behind me joked that I was carrying in the “goods” for everyone else. The most memorable part of the concert, oddly enough, was the first time I ever smelled the unmistakably distinct odour of “weed” in the audience.
The Symphony On Ice figure skating show featuring John Curry, the 1976 British Olympic and World Champion, was held on October 19th. Remembrance Day ceremonies were performed on November 11th with 3,000 in attendance. Saskatoon singer Sharon Hills performed as well as Mary Wedgewood and Jervis Bay Band. Ray Hnatyshyn, the future Governor-General of Canada, was in attendance. Kung Fu From China acrobatics show appeared June 17th and the Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Vienna horse show performed for Saskatoon audiences on September 2nd, 1983.
In 1983 City Council, led by Mayor Cliff Wright, discussed a land swap in the north end for a new Arena location.[7] By 1984 Mayor Cliff Wright was pushing for a new $10 million arena.[8] The Harlem Globetrotters returned on November 4th, 1984.
A new hockey arena was officially announced in April with 8,000 seats planned in the north end of the city.[9] At the time, it was expected to cost $21 million to do the roadwork and three major highway interchanges to connect to the Arena in the north end.
The downtown Arena had an operating deficit of $180,000.[10] A big battle at city hall led to the public having to choose between the north end “Agriplex” or building downtown in the A.L. Cole building location along the riverbank. 12,500 people signed a petition against the north end.[11] The 1985 civic election would include a vote for the public to choose either the north area or the A.L. Cole building site for the new Arena.[12]
The Saskatchewan Alive Christian Ministry was held for eight nights in a row from November 10th to 17th, 1985 at the Arena and was broadcast on CFQC. The annual Canadian International Circus returned on August 24th and 25th, 1985.
The not yet world-famous thrash heavy metal group Metallica performed in Saskatoon for the first time on December 15th, 1986. This was their only time at the Arena before they became one of the biggest rock groups in the world. Metal Church was the opening act. Terry Craig reviewed the concert, pointing out a crowd of 900 headbangers who listened to a ninety-minute set. Tickets for that show were $15.50.[13]
Advertisement for Metallica’s first Saskatoon concert. Saskatoon Star Phoenix, November 24, 1986.
The Canadian International Circus returned for four shows on August 30th and 31rst, 1986. The Soviet Stars On Ice, featuring the Kyiv Ice Revue and seventy international ice skating performers, was held on November 13th, 1986. The Shrine Circus was held for three days from May 9th to 11th.
An Arena referendum was scheduled for April and seventy percent of voters were in favor.[14] A model of the new arena debuted in March. Excavating and construction began for the “Agriplace” in the north end in July 1986.[15]
Celebrity Hockey was held with the NHL All-Stars including Guy Lafleur and Orest Kindrachuk on March 29th, 1987.
Two of Canada’s biggest recording stars at the time were touring together: Glass Tiger and Tom Cochrane and Red Rider. It would be the last music concert ever performed at the Arena on August 8th, 1987. Tickets were $17.50.
Advertisement for Tom Cochrane Concert. Saskatoon Star Phoenix, July 27, 1987.
It was decided that the fifty-year-old downtown Arena would be closed in March 1988 and replaced with a new high-rise apartment building. However, its end did not come quite so quickly.
Saskatchewan Place was officially chosen as the name of the new Arena in March 1987.[16] Work on Saskplace was back on schedule after running behind in construction.[17]
The downtown Arena was still up and running in 1988. However, it had an asbestos problem which would cost the city more than $272,000 to remove.[18] This forced scheduled acts to adapt. The Shrine Circus was held for the first time outdoors in a tent at Lawson Mall, rather than at the Arena. Alderman Pat Lorje wanted the city to build another rink before the Arena was torn down.[19] City council voted to spend $10,000 paying Silverado Demolition Excavating to remove and store all the seats from the building. Demolition of the building was approved by the city council in November 1988.[20]
The Oak Ridge Boys and the Desert Rose Band headlined the first music concert ever at the new Saskplace on March 17th, 1988, while Aerosmith and White Lion were the first rock concert held at Saskplace on May 11th, 1988.
The Saskatoon Arena is demolished by Dueck Demolition. Saskatoon Star Phoenix, March 18, 1989.
Dueck Enterprises Ltd was paid $103,000 to demolish the building in March 1989.[21] In a wonderful surprise, the copper box which was placed in the Arena’s cornerstone during construction in 1937 was revealed to open artifacts from the depression years, including some coins and newspapers, in June 1989.
I was lucky enough to attend four events at the Arena which covered all aspects of entertainment: one rock concert, one blades hockey game, one Harlem Globetrotters show, and one Circus.
Arena ticket, 1981. Photo courtesy of author.
All things come to an end! Thirty years after the Arena was demolished the city has started discussing the idea of building a new Arena downtown fairly close to the original site, igniting new waves of passionate debate.
Terry Hoknes.
TERRY HOKNES is the author of the Saskatoon History Encyclopedia series. He is archiving the entire history of Saskatoon one decade at a time. Visit his website at www.SaskatoonHistory.com.
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Endnotes
Larry Johnsrude, “City Control of New Arena Wanted,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Jan. 19 1981.
Janet Steffenhagen, “Exhibition Considers Facility to Compete with Arena,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Jan. 11 1982.
Les Macpherson, “Exhibition to be site of Rink,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Feb. 23 1982.
Author Unknown, “City Withholds land pending NHL Ruling,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Dec. 3 1982.
Bill Cleverly, “Below Ground Playing Surface Proposed for Rink,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Jan. 15 1982.
Author unknown, “Concert Cancelled,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Jan. 19 1981. Sept. 23, 1983.
Earl Fowler, “Council to Study Arena Land Swap,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), May 2 1983.
Dave Yanko, “$10 Million for New Arena Endorsed,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Dec 18 1984.
Dave Yanko, “Arena Confirmed,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Apr 12 1985.
Garry Marvin, “A.L. Cole Sight Best Place for Downtown Arena,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Dec 18 1984.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Terry Craig, “Tragedy Mars Metallica Triumphs,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Dec 11 1986.
Doug McConachie, “Arena Showdown,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Apr 12 1986.
Author Unknown, “Preparation of Arena Site to Begin,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), July 14 1986.
Author Unknown “Arena sign will say Saskplace,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Mar 2 1987.
Dave Yanko, “Saskplace work Back on Schedule,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), July 3 1987.
Author Unknown, “City may Spend $500,00 on old Arena,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), June 13 1988.
Gerry Klein, “Arena sign will say Saskplace,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Mar 2 1987.
Author Unknown, “Remembrance of Things Past,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Mar 2 1987.
Gerry Klein, “Saskatonians to be Hired for Demolition of the Arena,” Star Phoenix (Saskatoon, SK), Feb 9 1989.