Pacific Coliseum

Pacific Coliseum,locally known asThe Coliseumor theRink on Renfrew,is anindoor arenalocated atHastings ParkinVancouver,British Columbia.Its main use has been forice hockeyand the arena has been the home for several ice hockey teams.

Pacific Coliseum

"The Coliseum " "The Rink on Renfrew "
Address	100 North Renfrew Street
Location	Vancouver,British Columbia
Coordinates	49°17′9″N123°2′34″W
Owner	City of VancouverPacific National Exhibition
Capacity	Ice hockey:16,281 Concerts:17,500
Construction
Broke ground	1966
Opened	January 8, 1968
Renovated	1984, 2007
Expanded	1984
Construction cost	C$6 million ($50.1 million in 2023 dollars)
Architect	Phillips, Barratt, Hillier, Jones and Partners W. K. Noppe
General contractor	CANA Construction
Tenants
Vancouver Canucks(WHL) (1968–1970) Vancouver Canucks(NHL) (1970–1995) Vancouver Nats(WHL) (1971–1973) Vancouver Blazers(WHA) (1973–1975) Vancouver Whitecaps(NASL Indoor) (1980–1981, 1983–1984) Vancouver Voodoo(RHI) (1994–1995) Vancouver Giants(WHL) (2001–2016)

The arena was the home of theVancouver Giantsof theWestern Hockey League(WHL), from 2001 to 2016. Other hockey tenants of the Pacific Coliseum have been theVancouver Canucks(Western Hockey League) from 1968 to 1970,Vancouver Canucks(National Hockey League) from 1970 to 1995, theVancouver Nats(WHL) from 1972 to 1973, theVancouver Blazers(World Hockey Association) from 1973 to 1975, and theVancouver Voodoo(Roller Hockey International) from 1994 to 1995.

It was completed in 1968 on the site of thePacific National Exhibition.Its architect and plans were also used for Edmonton'sNorthlands Coliseum.Originally holding 15,038 forice hockey,capacity has fluctuated slightly over the years and currently holds 16,281. During the2010 Olympic Winter Games,it was the venue forfigure skatingandshort track speed skating.The arena also hosts a variety of concerts and other events.

History

Designed by W. K. Noppe in 1966–67, with its simple geometric shape and distinctive ring of white panels, the building can be classified asformalist architecture.Used initially as home to theWHL's Vancouver Canucks, the building was used to attract anNHLfranchise in 1970 and aWorld Hockey Associationfranchise in 1973. The Coliseum underwent renovations and additions in the late 1970s, but its role as host of an NHL team and a main venue for events in Vancouver was lost with the construction and opening ofGeneral MotorsPlace (nowRogers Arena) in 1995.

The original centre-hung scoreclock was replaced during the 1985 renovations (this renovation work included seismic upgrades to the facility) by a new four-sided centre-hung scoreclock with colour matrix animation/matrix displays along with electronic message boards across the bottom on each side (the original sponsors for this clock wereImperial TobaccoandMolson Brewery), which in 2007 was replaced by a four-sidedDaktronicsscoreboard with a video display on each side.

Recent renovations were completed in 2007 to upgradeaccessibility,seating,HVAC,and ice surface for its use as a venue for the2010 Winter Olympics.During the renovations prior to the Olympics major upgrades were done to the ice plant at Pacific Coliseum. The adjacent Agrodome ice plant was decommissioned and both buildings now share the same system located at the Coliseum.

In early 2023 the Pacific Coliseum retired its scoreclock, donating it to the Sunshine Coast Junior Hockey Society in Gibson, British Columbia. Video screens were added to the north end of the arena and concourse walls.

In June 2023 a $2.6 million lighting project installed LED lighting around the exterior walls of the venue, allowing the arena to light up with different colours to recognize different events, dates and occasions.

Seating capacity

The seating capacity for hockey has progressed as follows:

• 15,038 (1968–1970)
• 15,570 (1970–1978)
• 16,413 (1978–1982)
• 16,553 (1983–1989)
• 16,123 (1989–1992)
• 16,150 (1992–2006)
• 16,281 (2006–present)

Sports

The arena hosted the fourth game of the 1972Summit Serieson September 8, when theSoviet UniondefeatedCanada5–3. In a famous post-game interview,Phil Espositovoiced his displeasure with the Vancouver crowd's reaction to their loss in an interview that was broadcast on national television.

TheWHAVancouver Blazersstarted playing at the Coliseum in 1973 when local businessmanJim Pattisonbought the team from thePhiladelphia Blazersownership team. The team would last two years before moving toCalgary,becoming theCalgary Cowboys.

The Coliseum played host to the 2001Mann Cup,where the hostingWLACoquitlam AdanacsdefeatedMSL'sBrampton Excelsiorsin seven games.

2010 Winter Olympics

The Coliseum played host tofigure skatingandshort-track speed skatingevents for theXXI Olympic Winter Gamesin Vancouver, from February 12 to 28, 2010.

Vancouver Canucks

The arena hosted its first NHL game on October 9, 1970, where theLos Angeles Kingsdefeated theVancouver Canucks3–1 in the Canucks' NHL debut. The Kings'Bob Berryscored the first goal, withBarry Wilkinsscoring the first goal for the Canucks. Its final NHL game was played May 27, 1995, with theChicago Blackhawksdefeating the Canucks 4–3 to sweep them out of the1995 Stanley Cup Playoffsin the second round.

The 25-year tenure of the Canucks would see theStanley Cup Finalscome to the Coliseum twice; once in1982,where theNew York Islanderswould complete their sweep of the Canucks in Vancouver on May 16, 1982, and again in1994where they would lose to theNew York Rangersin a seven-game thriller. Former ownerArthur Griffithscalled the sixth game of the 1994 series, the only Stanley Cup Finals game that the Canucks would ever win at the Coliseum, to be "The greatest game ever played at the Pacific Coliseum," and sent the entire city into a frenzy in its wake. The Coliseum would host a viewing of game 7, which the Canucks would lose by a goal, afterNathan LaFayette's potential tying shot went off the post.

Pacific Coliseum also played host to the1977 NHL All-Star Game,which saw the Wales Conference All-Stars defeat the Campbell Conference All-Stars 4–3.

The final NHL goal scored in the arena belongs to theChicago Blackhawks'Chris Chelios,as the Blackhawks completed a four-game sweep of the Canucks in the1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs' second round.Roman Oksiutascored the Canucks' last goal in the building.

Junior hockey

Towelslaid out on each seat at the Pacific Coliseum prior to the2007 Memorial Cupfinal.

Pacific Coliseum first hosted theMemorial Cupin1977,whenStan Smyland theNew Westminster Bruinswon their first Memorial Cup championship by defeating theOttawa 67's,6–5. Smyl would eventually have a successful thirteen-year NHL career playing with the Vancouver Canucks at the arena, eventually having his #12 retired by the team on November 3, 1991; the first number that the team would retire, and the only one retired by the Canucks during their time at the Coliseum.

After the departure of the Canucks in 1995, hockey returned to the Rink on Renfrew with the inaugural season of theWHLVancouver Giantsin 2001, where they would stay until dwindling attendance numbers would cause them to move to theLangley Events Centreafter the 2015–16 season.

The arena was one of four arenas to play host to the2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships,alongsideRogers Arena,Prospera PlaceinKelowna,and theSandman CentreinKamloops.

In2006,the Giants were chosen to host the2007 Memorial Cup Tournament.During this tournament, the arena surpassed the all-time Memorial Cup attendance record; after seven round-robin games 91,808 attended, and the tournament would eventually finish with a total attendance of 121,461. In the same tournament, the Vancouver Giants won their firstMemorial Cupchampionship, by defeating the WHL championMedicine Hat Tigers,3–1. The Giants had lost the WHL final in seven games to the Tigers earlier in the season.

Volleyball

The2020 Men's Volleyball North American Olympic Qualification Tournamenttook place at the coliseum. Canada went 3–0 in the tournament, which qualified the team for the2020 Summer Olympics.

Boxing

This venue has hostedMuhammad Ali vs. George ChuvaloII on May 1, 1972, andMichael Spinksvs Oscar Rivadeneyra on November 25, 1983.

Tennis

Pacific Coliseum has hosted two Billie Jean King Cup of Tennis qualifying matches. Canada versus Latvia in 2022 and Canada versus Belgium in 2023.

Other uses

Notable concerts

On September 7, 1968Jimi Hendrixperformed at the Coliseum with his bandThe Jimi Hendrix Experience.

On December 28, 1968, rock groupLed Zeppelinopened forVanilla Fudge.This would be the first of several concerts for the band at the Pacific Coliseum over the next decade. Led Zeppelin would go on to base several of their North American tour operations from Vancouver and the Pacific Coliseum in the early 1970s.

Three Dog Nightappeared at the Coliseum with opening actHoyt Axtonon January 24, 1970.

On June 6, 1970the Doorsperformed at the Coliseum withAlbert Kingas part of theirRoadhouse Blues Tour.The show was recorded and released as a live albumLive in Vancouver 1970.

On Jun 25, 1971 theYesperformed theirYes Album Tour,one of two Canadian dates, at the Coliseum. There was only 3 concerts that year, the other bands (on separate dates) were Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull.

In 1972,The Rolling Stonesopened their tour in support of their iconic albumExile On Main Streetat the Pacific Coliseum. The band performed "Ventilator Blues"off theExilealbum for the only time in their storied career at this concert.Stevie Wonderperformed as the opening act.

On June 22, 1973, and May 17, 1974, the Coliseum hosted theGrateful Deadin an iconic set of performances featured in their album of live concerts, 'Pacific Northwest '73 - '74: Believe It If You Need It.'

On November 2, 1974,George Harrisonperformed the first of a series of concerts that would form his infamousDark HorseTour. This tour marked not only the first North American Tour by a former-Beatle,but also Harrison's last tour for 17 years.

On July 30, 1977Emerson, Lake & Palmerplayed at Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC, Canada during their Works Tour '77

TheBee Geesplayed here on July 15, 1979, during the first leg of their North AmericanSpirits Having Flown Tour.

ABBAperformed here on September 15, 1979, the second concert of their 1979 North American Tour.

KISSperformed at the PNE Coliseum twice in their 1970s heyday. The first was on July 24, 1977 "Love Gun Tour" withCheap Trickas the opening act. The second was on November 19, 1979, during the "Dynasty Tour", with Vancouver's ownLoverboy,in their first live performance, as the opening act.

Cheap Trickreturned as a headliner on August 3, 1980, withLoverboyas opening act.

Bob Marley and the Wailersplayed the Coliseum on November 21, 1979, in support of hisSurvival Tour.

Devoperformed at the Coliseum on November 30, 1981, as part of theirNew Traditionaliststour.

Aerosmithplayed at the Coliseum on January 20, 1988, on August 14, 1993, and on October 25, 1997.

Nazarethrecorded their live album'Snazthere in May 1981.

David Bowie's performances, during hisSerious Moonlight Tour,on September 11–12, 1983, were filmed and released, onVHSand LaserDisc, in 1984, and re-released, as aDVD,in 2006.

MC Hammerperformed on December 15, 1990, as part of hisPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em World Tour.

American bandPearl Jamplayed at the arena on September 25, 2011, as part of the band's20th anniversary celebrations.

Alexisonfireplayed in the Coliseum on December 17, 2012, for theirfarewell tour.

On April 30, 2022, Indian singerBabbu Maanbecame the first South Asian artist to sell out the Pacific Coliseum.

Filming

The Coliseum was used for theMadison Square Gardenscene in the movieMiracleas well asSlam Dunk Ernest.The dog show scenes fromBest in Showwere filmed at the Coliseum. The final shot of first look trailer for theNintendo Switchwas filmed here. The television showA Million Little Thingshas used the arena to film scenes that are taking place inTD Garden.The concert scene at the end of the 2001 filmJosie and the Pussycatswas filmed at the Coliseum.

Political demonstrations

On October 16, 1970, the anti-nuclear protest group Don't Make a Wave Committee held a concert at the Pacific Coliseum and managed to raise funds for a demonstration against nuclear testing by The United States. The demonstration marked the beginning of the environmental organizationGreenpeace.

Religious gatherings

On November 14–16, 1978, His Highness PrinceAga Khan,49th Imam ofIsmailiMuslimsgave a series of audiences or mulaqats to theIsmailicommunity ofBritish Columbia.

On July 26, 1982, to commemorate the foundation ceremony of theIsmaili CentreVancouver, His Highness PrinceAga Khan,49th Imam ofIsmailiMuslimsgave an audience or mulaqat to theIsmailicommunity ofBritish Columbia.

On April 22, 1983, during the commemoration of hisSilver JubileeHis Highness PrinceAga Khan,49th Imam ofIsmailiMuslimstogether with the Begum Aga Khan and his brotherPrinceAmyn Aga Khangave an audience or mulaqat to theIsmailicommunity ofBritish Columbia.

Esports

The Pacific Coliseum hosted theLeague of LegendsChampionship SeriesSpring 2017 North American Finals on April 22 and 23, 2017, whereTeam SoloMidretained its NALCS title againstCloud9in a five-game series. Usually hosted inSanta Monica, California,it was the second consecutive time that a North American LCS final was held in Canada, afterTorontohosted theSummer 2016final.

External links

• Pacific Coliseum
• Munsey & Suppes article on Pacific Coliseum