Windsor Arena a classic
by Marc Viquez
October 27, 2007 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires
When I crossed the border into Canada I was asked why I was visiting our neighbors to the north. When I told the border patrolman that I was visiting the Windsor Arena he asked me why I was coming all the way from Indianapolis to see a Spits game. I guess too many people do not drive 4 ½ hours to see a hockey game, especially from Indianapolis.
I made the journey up north to see a game at "The Barn" before the team moved to their new arena next season. It was a chance to see a game there for the first time, but for many this season was a way to say good-bye as the team plays their final full season in the 83-year-old hockey arena.
The Windsor Arena, home to of Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League since 1975, was built in 1924 and served as the first home to the Detroit Red Wings, then the Cougars, as they waited for Olympia Stadium to be built on the other side of the river in Detroit. The Olympia closed its doors in 1979, but the Windsor Arena continued serving hockey in various junior A and B leagues until the now.
"I've been coming to these games for the last 30-years and it's time to move on," said John Cpadafora of Windsor. "It is time to move on. I won't miss this place."
The arena itself is everything I thought it would be, a relic of another era in hockey. A tight cramped edifice that will make you appreciate it or make loathe it. It is definitely a building that has a few quirks that you do not see anymore in many facilities, regardless of the sport. I had to bend down to check out the menu at the small concession stands, apparently, it was not built for tall people.
The Spitfires will move to a new arena on the east side of town next season. The 6, 500 seat arena will have larger administrative offices, auditorium, four hockey rinks, ample parking, larger concourses and food services. It will be spanking new and everything the team's current home is not. However, there will be a lot character left at the barn.
When the home team takes the ice between periods they enter through the concourse and fans flock around them to give high fives and cheer their hometown Spits on. When the visiting team leaves the ice for the dressing rooms two large wooden dividers are rolled out into the concourse to temporarily cut the fans off from player interaction. When they are safely in the dressing room, the wooden dividers are rolled back and fans continue their walk. Don't you just love modern technology?
"I am kind of mixed," said Ed Rapaye who waited outside with friends before the game. "I like this place, but I hate this place. It's so cramped in there, but the new arena is not going to have the same atmosphere as this place. It's not going to be as rowdy."
The atmosphere was raucous tonight, and grew louder when the Spitfires tied the game just before the end of the second period. When the fans are in their seats they don't normally leave, since they are on top of the action and smashed into one another. The last rows of seating do not have any seats and I found myself walking over a few NHL scouts who were in town to check out future prospects.
"I think it's about time," added Richard Paquett. "I love this arena, the atmosphere is unbelievable, but we really need to move up and get a new arena. We have 4,400 maximum here and I think we have the potential in Windsor to get 6,000-7,000 fans behind this team."
In the arena's defense, the 83-year-old barn is what it is, a small venue with narrow concourses that twist and turn you as you move around inside. However, once safely strapped in your seat you are literally hovering over the action like an apparition.
"It's got so much history," added usher Rik Cybak. "In the new arena you are not going to be that close and see things that are happening. When you yell at a player here, he can hear you, but that is not going to happen at the new arena. It's just too old and too small, and it's time to move on."
That seemed to be the feeling that most people had about the arena. It was a great place to see a game and there are many memories, but the city needs to have a modern facility. Obstructed views, small bathrooms, and long narrow lines for the concession stands will be a thing of the past in the new arena next fall.
The current location also lacks ample parking, does not have many restaurants nearby and is not in the greatest of areas of town. When I pulled up a few hours before the game the visiting team, Plymouth Whalers, were kicking a soccer ball outside the arena's doors. Also, when fans want to grab a smoke during intermission, the huddle up outside in the small parking lot to light up.
The arena will not be razed or left in despair, as hockey will continue to play on the floor's ice. The University of Windsor and St. Claire College could possibly be future tenants at the arena, from what many had told me at the game. However, for the a team in the OHL in the early 21st century, the Windsor Arena has past it's time.
The game went into a shootout and the visiting Whalers scored the final goal to pull away with a 2-1 victory over the hometown Spits. We all crammed back into the main concourse and slowly turned our way outside the exit doors. The streets were lined with cars, a few fans were lighting up cigarettes, and younger fans were waiting for autographs in the mild Canadian fall.
It is definitely a unique experience inside, but with the Spitfires heading into a state of the art facility and the Windsor Arena left to host more hockey games, the fans and the city of Windsor will have the best of both worlds.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2007
- Majors Take a Tumble in Saginaw - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- Saginaw Scores 6-1 Victory Over Mississauga - Saginaw Spirit
- Otters downed again - Erie Otters
- Windsor Arena a classic - OSC Original by Marc Viquez
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
