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Clarence-Rockland Arena (French: Aréna de Clarence-Rockland) formerly known as CIH Arena, is an ice hockey arena located in Rockland, Ontario, Canada. Opened on August 25, 2011, the facility features two rings, with its main one the home arena of the Rockland Nationals of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). It is owned by the City of Clarence-Rockland.
| Aréna de Clarence-Rockland (French) | |
| Former names | CIH Arena (2011–2022) |
|---|---|
| Address | 8710 County Road 17 |
| Location | Rockland, Ontario, Canada |
| Owner | City of Clarence-Rockland |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 2,000 (main rink) 100 (second rink) Concerts: 4,000 |
| Record attendance | Ice hockey: 1,500+ (September 7, 2018) Concerts: 3,000 (November 7, 2019) |
| Field size | 121,500 sq ft (11,290 m2) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 1, 2008 |
| Opened | August 25, 2011 |
| Construction cost | C$18 million |
| Tenants | |
| Rockland Nationals (CCHL) (2017–present) | |
| Website | |
| https://www.clarence-rockland.com/en/loisirs-et-divertissements/arenas-and-skating.aspx | |
With a hockey seating capacity of 2,000 in its main rink, Clarence-Rockland Arena is one of the newest built arena in the CCHL. Alongside hockey, Clarence-Rockland Arena has hosted concerts, and occasional theatre. Since it owns a team in 2017, it has consistently been listed as one of the CCHL's busiest arenas, usually receiving higher attendance numbers compared to any other arenas in the league.
History
editThe facility was opened on August 25, 2011 as the Canadian International Hockey Academy Arena. It was primilary used by Junior B and Junior C hockey teams around the National Capital Region.
In late September 2016, Paul Jennings sold the Gloucester Rangers to a group of partners being André Chaput, André Charlebois & Amélie Lecompte, Jean-Robert Léger and Robert Bourdeau. Paul Jennings purchased the Orleans Blues franchise from Chaput in 2007. The Gloucester Rangers finished the 2016–17 season and relocated to the 2,000-seat arena to become the Rockland Nationals after playing at the aging Earl Armstrong for nearly 50 years.
In 2022, The Canadian International Hockey Academy sold the arena to the City of Clarence-Rockland, who renamed it to the Clarence-Rockland Arena.