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Coca-Cola Coliseum

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Coca-Cola Coliseum (also or formerly known as CNE Coliseum, Royal Coliseum, Ricoh Coliseum, Toronto Coliseum, or Coliseum) is an arena at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, used for agricultural displays, ice hockey, and trade shows. It was built for the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (the Royal) in 1921. Since 1997 it has been part of the Enercare Centre exhibition complex. It serves as the home arena of the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women's Hockey League and the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies, the farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It will also serve as the home arena of the Toronto WNBA team when it debuts in 2026.

Coca-Cola Coliseum
Coca-Cola Coliseum is located in Toronto
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Location in Toronto
Coca-Cola Coliseum is located in Ontario
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Location in Ontario
Coca-Cola Coliseum is located in Canada
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Location in Canada
Former names
  • CNE Coliseum (1921–2003)
  • Royal Coliseum[1]
  • Ricoh Coliseum (2003–2018)
  • Toronto Coliseum (July 2015)
Address45 Manitoba Drive
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates43°38′09″N 79°24′54″W / 43.63583°N 79.41500°W / 43.63583; -79.41500
Public transit Exhibition GO Station
Exhibition Loop
OwnerCity of Toronto
OperatorMaple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
CapacityCentre Stage Mode: 9,000[2]
Basketball: 8,500
Hockey: 8,100
Boxing/Wrestling: 7,600
Construction
Broke ground1920
OpenedDecember 16, 1921
Renovated1963, 1997, 2003
Construction costCA$1 million
$3 million (1963 renovation)
$38 million (2003 renovation)[3][4]
ArchitectGeorge F.W. Price (original)[5]
Brisbin Brook Beynon, Architects (renovation)
Tenants
Toronto Marlies (AHL) (2005–present)
Toronto-Buffalo Royals (WTT) (1974)
Toronto Roadrunners (AHL) (2003–2004)
Toronto Triumph (LFL) (2011–2012)
Toronto Sceptres (PWHL) (2024–present)
Toronto WNBA team (WNBA) (starting in 2026)
Website
coca-colacoliseum.com

History

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On January 1, 1920, Toronto voters approved by plebiscite a proposal by the Royal Agricultural Fair Association to construct, at a maximum cost of CA$1 million, a new arena for livestock.[6] The City of Toronto government (City) made a call for tenders in the fall of 1920 but the lowest tender was CA$1.9 million, exceeding the mandate approved by plebiscite. The size of the planned building was reduced by half in an attempt to get the cost under CA$1 million and a new call for tenders was done.[7] The lowest tender received was from Anglin-Norcross Ltd. of Montreal for CA$892,000 to build the building to City Architect F. W. Price's specifications. There was a reticence to hire a Montreal firm, and the city held off on awarding the contract while Price sought out construction offers from local firms to do the work using day labour, although the legality of this was questioned.[8] Another issue raised was that the revised arena design needed to be expanded to meet the fair's needs. Anglin-Norcross offered to do the work at a further CA$31,000. It took two City Council votes, but Council finally approved the awarding of the contract to Anglin-Norcross on May 26, 1921.[9] Demolition of existing buildings (likely the area with livestock stalls) on the site commenced a few days later and arena work commenced in June 1921.[10] The cornerstone was laid by Toronto Mayor Thomas Church on July 27, 1921.[11] Robert Fleming, President of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) declared that the building would be the largest of its kind in the world, with a floor space of 8.5 acres (3.4 ha).[12][13]

 
Construction of the arena in October 1921. The building was later opened in December 1921.

The Fair Association had hoped for the arena to be open by the fall of 1921 to inaugurate the new fair, but it was not ready. The CA$1 million (CA$13.8 million in 2023 dollars)[14] building had its official public opening on December 16, 1921, attended by 5,000 persons to see an athletic meet put on by the "Sportsmen Patriotic Association."[15] Upon completion, the building was billed as the largest of its kind in North America.[16] The name "Coliseum" was given to the building in 1922, in time for the opening of the CNE.[17] The main entrance was to the north, along Manitoba Drive. The southern side of the building was along the main TTC streetcar rail lines serving the CNE, which separated the Coliseum and Industry Buildings to the north, and the later Engineering and Electrical Building (1928) to the south. In 1926, additions were built and the complex was claimed to be the largest structure of its kind under one roof in the world.[18] In 1931, the Horse Palace was built next door to provide a permanent building for the stables of the Winter Fair.[19] 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'.[16] 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 time for the 1963 CNE, the southern facade was reconstructed.[20] As part of the renovation, the southern facade was reclad with black, grey and white siding and a new front plaza was built, with a large "COLISEUM" sign on top. The CNE spent CA$3 million from 1960 until 1963 on "face-lifting" the Coliseum.[21] In 1997, the National Trade Centre (now the Enercare Centre) exhibition complex was built. The new project removed the 1963 entrance and cladding, restoring the original facade, although the cupola towers on the southern facade had been removed in the 1963 renovation. Access to the Coliseum was moved to the western entrance of the exhibition complex through a hall known as Heritage Court.[22]

In November 2002, the City of Toronto agreed to an extensive renovation of the Coliseum to attract a professional ice hockey team to the arena.[23] At a cost of CA$38 million, the arena's capacity was expanded from 6,500 to 9,700 by building a new higher roof, lowering the floor, adding new seats in the expanded area[3][4] and the installation of 38 private suites.[3] Borealis Infrastructure contributed CA$9 million up front and CA$20 million of borrowed funds in return for a 49-year lease to the arena.[24][25] The City of Toronto invested CA$9 million in the project and guaranteed Borealis' loans, while remaining the owner of the building.[3][24][23][25]

In 2003, Japanese office supply company Ricoh purchased the naming rights to the new facility for CA$10 million over ten years, with an optional five-year extension.[3][4][24][26]

During the summer of 2015, a new scoreboard was installed at the Air Canada Centre, and the old scoreboard was installed at the Coliseum.[27]

In 2018, MLSE announced that the Toronto Argonauts football operations offices and weight rooms would be relocated to the Coliseum in late June of that year.[28] On July 11, 2018, at the end of Ricoh's partnership with the building, Coca-Cola purchased the naming rights to the facility for ten years, renaming it the "Coca-Cola Coliseum".[29]

Usage

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Since November 1922, the Coliseum has been used by the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair held in November annually except during the years of World War II. The Fair uses the arena for the annual "Royal Horse Show" equestrian competition, as well as animal presentations.

 
The Royal Horse Show during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, an event hosted by the Coliseum.

Each year in August, the Coliseum is used by the CNE for exhibits and performances. It has in the past used for CNE cat, dog and horse shows. Until 2013, the CNE held the CNE Horse Show, a competitive event in the Coliseum. At one time run during the Ex, it changed to be a pre-CNE event in 2005.[30] It has been used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride. During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 CNE, it was used for a figure skating show.

The arena is also used for trade shows. The annual Boat Show builds an indoor pond over the arena floor.

Hockey

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As early as the 1970s, plans were floated to outfit CNE Coliseum for ice hockey. When the World Hockey Association's Ottawa Nationals moved to Toronto as the Toronto Toros, they initially wanted to play at a renovated CNE Coliseum. However, due to objections from Maple Leafs vice president Bill Ballard, the Toros played at Varsity Arena before briefly becoming tenants of the Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens.

 
2018 Calder Cup Final between the Texas Stars and the Toronto Marlies. The arena was outfitted for ice hockey in the early 21st century.

In the early 2000s, there were efforts to bring a minor professional hockey team to the Coliseum. Plans to move the dormant Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League to Toronto for the 2002–2003 season fell apart when the league dissolved and six teams, but not the Roadrunners, were absorbed by the American Hockey League (AHL) in the summer of 2001.[31][24] The same group then attempted to purchase the Louisville Panthers AHL franchise, which had suspended operations for the 2001–2002 season, and relocate it to the Coliseum, but the AHL voted against the transaction in December 2001.[32][33][26] The Toronto Maple Leafs pressured the Hamilton Bulldogs, who held territorial rights to Toronto since it fell within their 50-mile home territory, to veto the transaction.[32] The Leafs reportedly did not want the Coliseum to be upgraded as it would compete with their newly opened Air Canada Centre.[24] Next, the group began pursuing the Bulldogs, which were owned by their NHL affiliate the Edmonton Oilers.[33][26][34] The Bulldogs did not require league approval to move to Toronto since the Coliseum was within their territory.[24][26][34][35] An agreement was reached with the Oilers to relocate the Bulldogs to Toronto, and to rename them the Toronto Roadrunners. Borealis signed a 49-year sublease to the building with the Roadrunners for $9,500 per game.[24][25]

On November 1, 2003, the Coliseum made its debut as an ice hockey venue, as the Roadrunners tied the Rochester Americans 1-1. However, the Roadrunners' lease was terminated in June 2004, following their first season, for defaulting on its rent.[25][36] The Oilers chose to relocate the Roadrunners to Edmonton for the following season due to poor attendance and in anticipation of the impending NHL lockout, leaving the Coliseum without a hockey tenant.

In August 2004 Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment announced that they would relocate their AHL farm team from St. John's, Newfoundland to Toronto to play in the Coliseum for the 2005–2006 season,[37] after agreeing on a 20-year lease for the arena, with an option to extend the term for a further 10 years.[25] Their lease calls for rent to cover debt financing charges, property taxes and generate a return to the arena investors,[38] which exceeds $4 million annually.[39] The team, which was subsequently renamed the Toronto Marlies, 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 Coliseum hosted the 2007 AHL All-Star Game on January 29, 2007. In 2023 the city approved amendments to MLSE's lease of the Coliseum including a 10 year extension starting in 2025, with an option for a further 10 year extension.[40]

On October 27, 2021, the city of St. John's voted to evict the Newfoundland Growlers from their home arena of Mary Brown's Centre, citing workplace harassment of arena employees.[41] The Growlers initially reached an agreement to relocate their first six home games to be at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto,[42][43] however they subsequently came to an agreement with the nearby city of Conception Bay South to play in the games at their local arena.[44]

On April 30, 2024, it was announced that the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women's Hockey League—which played most of its inaugural regular season out of Mattamay Athletic Centre—would host its playoff games at the Coliseum.[45] The Sceptres hosted the first game of its first round series against the Minnesota Frost on May 8; the Sceptres won 4–0 in front of a sold-out crowd.[46] On September 3, 2024, Coca-Cola Coliseum was officially announced as the Sceptres's primary venue for the 2024-25 PWHL season.[47]

Other sports

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The Coliseum hosted the gymnastics competition for the 2015 Pan American Games.

Concerts

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The Coliseum has been used for numerous musical concerts. Acts that have performed there include Playboi Carti, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, Genesis, Bob Dylan, Vanilla Fudge, Mötley Crüe, G.E.M.,[50] Hatsune Miku[51] and Kraftwerk.[52] From 1922 to 1934, the CNE's Canadian National Exhibition Chorus performed in the arena.[53] In 2007, the Coliseum hosted the first We Day concert.[54]

Professional wrestling

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In March 2016, the Coliseum hosted the WWE Network special Roadblock.[55][56]

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) scheduled its first ever Canadian shows at the Coliseum, with a live broadcast of AEW Dynamite on October 12, 2022, and a taping of Rampage the following night.[57]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Filey 1996, p. 72.
  2. ^ "Venue Rental Technical Guide" (PDF). coca-colacoliseum.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Christie, James (January 16, 2003). "Coliseum Gets Makeover". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Ricoh Canada Inc. Announces the Opening of Toronto's Ricoh Coliseum" (Press release). Ricoh Canada, Inc. November 6, 2003. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014. Alt URL Archived January 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Coliseum Complex, Exhibition Place - G.F.W. Price, City Architect". Toronto History. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. ^ "Total Vote Polled For Mayor, Controllers And Bylaws". Toronto World. January 2, 1920. p. 4.
  7. ^ "Change In Size of Fair Arena". The Globe. April 15, 1921. p. 8.
  8. ^ "City Architect Is Told To Build Live Stock Arena". Toronto Star. May 6, 1921. p. 1.
  9. ^ "Arena Contracts Are Debated by City Council". Toronto Star. May 27, 1921. p. 1.
  10. ^ "Pay Cut-Rate Wages On Arena Contracts?". Toronto Star. June 29, 1921. p. 19.
  11. ^ "C.N.E.; Coliseum, laying of cornerstone by T. L. Church. Toronto, Ont". Toronto Public Library. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  12. ^ "Mayor Well and Truly Lays Corner-Stone of New Arena". The Globe. July 28, 1921.
  13. ^ "New Live Stock Arena Assuming Shape". Toronto Star. July 27, 1921. p. 3.
  14. ^ 1688 to 1923: Geloso, Vincent, A Price Index for Canada, 1688 to 1850 (December 6, 2016). Afterwards, Canadian inflation numbers based on Statistics Canada tables 18-10-0005-01 (formerly CANSIM 326-0021) "Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted". Statistics Canada. Retrieved April 17, 2021. and table 18-10-0004-13 "Consumer Price Index by product group, monthly, percentage change, not seasonally adjusted, Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  15. ^ "5,000 People Attend Opening of New Arena". Toronto Star. December 17, 1921. p. 3.
  16. ^ a b "Walking Tours". Exhibition Place. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  17. ^ "Council To Consider Rental of Coliseum". Toronto Globe. July 8, 1922. p. 17.
  18. ^ "Open Plaques: Toronto, ON, Canada: Unphotographed". openplaques.org. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  19. ^ "New Million-Dollar Exhibition Stables Completed Tomorrow". Toronto Star. August 14, 1931. p. 24. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  20. ^ "World's Biggest, The CNE Just Another Month Away". Toronto Star. July 17, 1963. p. 33.
  21. ^ Lee, Betty (August 23, 1963). "How Much Has The CNE Changed?". The Globe and Mail. p. 7.
  22. ^ Hume, Christopher (April 5, 1997). "Vast trade centre shows two faces". Toronto Star. p. M7.
  23. ^ a b Campbell, Ken (November 29, 2002). "AHL Team Back on Ice". Toronto Star.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g "Deal with the City Had Its Skeptics". Toronto Star. November 1, 2003.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Expansion of MLSEL Office Space in Ricoh Coliseum" (PDF). Exhibition Place. June 26, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  26. ^ a b c d Ireland, Joanne (April 18, 2002). "Hamilton Bulldogs Unleashed to Become Toronto Roadrunners: New Deal Will Save Oilers Several Million Dollars". Edmonton Journal.
  27. ^ Mudhar, Raju (July 24, 2015). "Air Canada Centre to debut new scoreboard this year". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  28. ^ "Argonauts to relocate football-operations staff - Article - TSN". TSN. May 31, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  29. ^ "New Coca-Cola and MLSE Partnership Expands Commitment to the Community Through Coca-Cola Coliseum - Article - CISION". CISION. July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  30. ^ "CNE cancels Horse Show competition". Inside Toronto. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  31. ^ Campbell, Ken (June 1, 2001). "Roadrunners' Future in the IHL Looks Pretty Grim ; Team's Hopes of Survival Seem to Be on Life Support". Toronto Star.
  32. ^ a b Mckay, Garry (July 7, 2001). "Bulldogs at Centre of Louisville Relocation". The Hamilton Spectator.
  33. ^ a b Peters, Ken (April 3, 2002). "Deal to Bring AHL to the CNE 'Close' ; Hamilton's Bulldogs Could Become the Toronto Roadrunners". Toronto Star.
  34. ^ a b "AHL Bulldogs Eyeing Move to Toronto". Guelph Mercury. April 1, 2002.
  35. ^ Thompson, Robert (October 25, 2003). "Roadrunners Aim to Score at Box Office: Toronto's New Hockey Team Vows to Make Money". National Post.
  36. ^ Erwin, Steve (June 16, 2004). "Oilers' Farm Team Caught in Lease Controversy at Ricoh". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  37. ^ "Leafs Making Final Run in St. John's". American Hockey League. November 29, 2004. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  38. ^ "Comprehensive Review of City's Loan Guarantee and Loan Portfolio" (PDF). City of Toronto. April 9, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  39. ^ Peddie, Richard (2013). Dream Job. HarperCollins.
  40. ^ "Amendment to Coca-Cola Coliseum Lease and Sublease" (PDF). City of Toronto. September 18, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  41. ^ "Deacon Sports says Growlers "Kicked Out" of Mile One". vocm.com. October 27, 2021.
  42. ^ "Newfoundland Growlers to play next homestand in Toronto; after that is anyone's guess". saltwire.com. October 27, 2021.
  43. ^ "UPDATE: Newfoundland Growlers to play at Coca-Cola Coliseum after getting barred from their arena pending investigation". SBNation. October 7, 2021.
  44. ^ "GROWLERS TO PLAY FIRST SIX GAMES OF THE SEASON AT CBS ARENA". Newfoundland Growlers. October 30, 2021.
  45. ^ "Toronto, Montreal shift to larger venues for best-of-5 PWHL semifinals". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. April 30, 2024. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  46. ^ Brady, Rachel (May 8, 2024). "Toronto pounds Minnesota with 4-0 win in PWHL playoff opening". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  47. ^ "Toronto Sceptres Announces Coca-Cola Coliseum as Primary Venue for 2024-25 Season". ThePWHL.com. PWHL. 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  48. ^ Gilbert, Erika (July 15, 2015). "Guide to the 2015 Pan Am Games: Everything you need to know about artistic gymnastics". National Post. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  49. ^ "Toronto expansion team to join WNBA in 2026, per reports". ESPN. May 10, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  50. ^ "Change positive! G.E.M.: The show must go on". on.cc Hong Kong and Macao Edition. Retrieved March 15, 2019. March 15, 2019.
  51. ^ "HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2024 North America". HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2024 North America. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  52. ^ "History - Ricoh Coliseum". Ricoh Coliseum.
  53. ^ "Canadian National Exhibition Chorus". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  54. ^ "Evolution of a Movement". We Day. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  55. ^ "WWE Title match official for re-named Network special". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  56. ^ "Live Report From WWE Roadblock". 411MANIA. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  57. ^ "AEW News: Two More Matches Set for Dynamite in Toronto". 411MANIA. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
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