Bell MTS Iceplex

Bell MTS Iceplex is an ice hockey facility located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The 172,000-square-foot (16,000 m2) building is owned and operated by True North Sports and Entertainment (TNSE), which also owns Bell MTS Place in downtown Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League use the Iceplex as their practice and training facility.[2][4]

Not to be confused with Bell MTS Place or Bell Centre.
Bell MTS Iceplex
Former namesMTS Iceplex (2010-2017)
Location3969 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Coordinates49°53′8″N 97°19′41″W
OwnerTrue North Sports & Entertainment Limited
OperatorWinnipeg Jets
CapacityCanadian Tire Arena - 1,350[1]
Assiniboine Credit Union Arena - 225[1]
Red River Co-op Arena - 225[1]
RE/MAX Arena - 225[1]
Construction
Broke groundJuly 2009
OpenedAugust 2010
Construction cost$26.6 million CAD[2]
($30.5 million in 2018 dollars[3])
Tenants
Winnipeg Jets (NHL) 2011-present
Manitoba Moose (AHL) 2010-2011; 2015-present
Winnipeg Wild (MU18HL) 2010-present
St. Pauls Crusaders (WHSHL) 2010-present
Balmoral Hall Blazers (JWHL) 2010-present
Manitoba Maple Leafs (WWHL) 2010-2011
Winnipeg Blues (MJHL) 2010-2019
St. Boniface Riels (MMJHL) 2018-2019
Website
bellmtsiceplex.ca

Construction

Bell MTS Iceplex, originally known as the True North MoosePlex Hockey Canada Centre, was built on time and within its budget, at a cost of $26.6 million Canadian. The federal and provincial governments contributed $11.7 million, while TNSE provided the remaining $14.9 million.[2] In exchange for public funding, TNSE guaranteed use of the facility for local amateur and recreational hockey.[4]

In April 2010, as an extension of its naming rights relationship with Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) for the MTS Centre, the facility was renamed MTS Iceplex.[5]

A 21,000 square foot addition to the Iceplex was completed in 2016. As part of this expansion, new training facilities and office space were built for the Jets and Moose.[6]

The facility was renamed Bell MTS Iceplex following Bell Canada's acquisition of MTS in 2017.[7]

Facilities

The Iceplex is located on the western edge of the city, near the junction of Portage Avenue and the west Perimeter Highway. It is surrounded by the Perimeter Highway to the east, Assiniboia Downs to the north, Pointe West AutoPark to the south, and the Red River Exhibition grounds to the east. The facility is open year-round and consists of four arenas, dryland training facilities, 22 dressing rooms, a pro shop, a restaurant and bar, a conference room, concessions stand and office space for Hockey Manitoba, Hockey Canada, and TNSE.[1][5][8] Each of the four arenas has an NHL regulation size ice surface and is sponsored by a local business. The Canadian Tire Arena seats 1,350 spectators, while the RE/MAX, Assiniboine Credit Union, and Red River Co-op Arenas each seat 225 spectators.[5]

Events

The Iceplex was one of three venues that hosted the 2011 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, a major international hockey tournament held annually by Hockey Canada. It was slated to host the 2012 tournament also, but Hockey Canada, at the request of TNSE, decided to relocate the tournament to Windsor, Ontario.[9][10]

Some of the annual events taking place at the Iceplex include the Manitoba Senior 'A' hockey championship, the Winnipeg High School Hockey League Rookie Classic and the Hockey Manitoba Cup.[11][12]

References
  1. "MTS Iceplex - Quick Facts". MTSIceplex.ca. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  2. "Iceplex opens". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  3. 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. November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020. and 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 November 15, 2020.
  4. "Grand opening for MTS Iceplex". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  5. "Mooseplex renamed MTS Iceplex". CBC News. 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  6. "TSNE announces addition to MTS Iceplex". MTSIceplex.com. 2015-09-01. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07.
  7. "MTS Centre, Iceplex renamed following Bell takeover of MTS". CBC News. Canadian Press. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  8. "IF YOU BUILD IT… MANITOBA'S U17 HOSTS SHOWCASE NEW ARENAS". Hockey Canada. 2011-02-11. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  9. "Winnipeg to host World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2011 and 2012". HockeyManitoba.ca. Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  10. "Windsor, Ont., to host 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". mjhlhockey.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  11. "Hockey Manitoba Cup". Hockey Manitoba. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  12. "MJHL Showcase". MJHL. Archived from the original on 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
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