Calumet Colosseum

The Calumet Colosseum is an ice hockey arena in Calumet, Michigan, built in 1913. It is considered the oldest operating continuous-use ice rink in North America.[1] It was only a few years younger than the Matthews Arena, which opened in 1910 and then burned down in 1918. The building is a three-story, barrel roof structure.[2] It has a seating capacity of 700.[3]

Calumet Colosseum in 2020

History

Construction of the Colosseum began in 1913[1] with the formal opening on January 1, 1914.[4] The first game was played on January 6, between the Calumet Wolverines and the Portage Lake Pioneers.[1][5]

In 1942, the National Guard armory in Calumet burned down and the Colosseum was sold to the State of Michigan.[2][1] The name was changed to the Calumet Armory and it was used by the Calumet Detachment of the Michigan National Guard.[6] Artificial ice was installed in 1968.[1] In 2005, Calumet Township traded 12 acres of land for a new armory in exchange for the arena, and reverted the name to Calumet Colosseum.[1]

In 2019, Calumet was the winner of Kraft Hockeyville USA, winning $150,000 for upgrades to the Colosseum.[7] The arena received a new ice plant, a new heating system, sound system, and refurbished locker rooms.[3] As part of winning the contest, the arena held an NHL pre-season game between the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues on September 26, 2019. The Red Wings won the game, 4-1.[3]

References
  1. "100 Years Young: Calumet Colosseum". USA Hockey Magazine. March 2013.
  2. Busch, Jane C. (August 2013). "Copper Country Survey: Final Report and Historic Preservation Plan" (PDF). National Park Service. p. 88.
  3. Satriano, David. "Hockeyville USA boon to Calumet". nhl.com. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  4. "Colosseum is Opened". The Calumet News. January 2, 1914. p. 8.
  5. "Copper Country rink celebrates anniversary". Marquette, MI: WNMU-FM. Associated Press. January 6, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  6. "Arenas: Calumet Colosseum". Calumet Hockey Association. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  7. Champion, Brandon (April 1, 2019). "Michigan's Calumet Colosseum, the oldest ice arena in the world, to host NHL game". MLive.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

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