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  Coca-Cola Coliseum Location in Toronto Show map of Toronto Coca-Cola Coliseum Location in Ontario Show map of Ontario Coca-Cola Coliseum Location in Canada Show map of Canada | |
| Former names |
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| Address | 19 Nunavut Road |
| Location | Toronto,Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°38′09″N79°24′54″W / 43.63583°N 79.41500°W /43.63583; -79.41500 |
| Public transit |  Exhibition GO Station Exhibition Loop |
| Owner | City of Toronto |
| Operator | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment |
| Capacity | Centre Stage Mode: 9,250[2] Basketball: 8,500 Hockey: 8,140[3] Boxing/Wrestling: 7,600 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1920 |
| Opened | December 16, 1921 |
| Renovated | 1963, 1997, 2003 |
| Construction cost | CA$1 million $3 million (1963 renovation) $38 million (2003 renovation)[4][5] |
| Architect | George F.W. Price (original)[6] Brisbin Brook Beynon, Architects (renovation) |
| Tenants | |
| Toronto Marlies (AHL) (2005–present) Toronto-Buffalo Royals (WTT) (1974) Toronto Roadrunners (AHL) (2003–2004) Toronto Triumph (LFL) (2011–2012) Toronto Sceptres (PWHL) (2024–present) Toronto Tempo (WNBA) (starting in 2026) | |
| Website | |
| coca-colacoliseum | |
Coca-Cola Coliseum (also or formerly known asCNE Coliseum,Royal Coliseum,Ricoh Coliseum,Toronto Coliseum, orColiseum) is an arena atExhibition Place inToronto, Ontario, Canada, used for agricultural displays,ice hockey, and trade shows. It was built for theCanadian National Exhibition (CNE) and theRoyal Agricultural Winter Fair (the Royal) in 1921. Since 1997 it has been part of theEnercare Centre exhibition complex. It serves as the home arena of theToronto Sceptres of theProfessional Women's Hockey League and theAmerican Hockey League'sToronto Marlies, the farm team of theToronto Maple Leafs. It will also serve as the home arena of theToronto Tempo when they debut in 2026.
On January 1, 1920, Toronto voters approved by plebiscite a proposal by the Royal Agricultural Fair Association to construct, at a maximum cost ofCA$1 million, a new arena for livestock.[7] TheCity of Toronto government (City) made a call for tenders in the fall of 1920 but the lowest tender wasCA$1.9 million, exceeding the mandate approved by plebiscite. The size of the planned building was reduced by half in an attempt to get the cost underCA$1 million and a new call for tenders was done.[8] The lowest tender received was from Anglin-Norcross Ltd. of Montreal forCA$892,000 to build the building to City Architect F. W. Price's specifications. There was a reticence to hire a Montreal firm, and the city held off on awarding the contract while Price sought out construction offers from local firms to do the work using day labour, although the legality of this was questioned.[9] Another issue raised was that the revised arena design needed to be expanded to meet the fair's needs. Anglin-Norcross offered to do the work at a furtherCA$31,000. It took two City Council votes, but Council finally approved the awarding of the contract to Anglin-Norcross on May 26, 1921.[10] Demolition of existing buildings (likely the area with livestock stalls) on the site commenced a few days later and arena work commenced in June 1921.[11] The cornerstone was laid by Toronto MayorThomas Church on July 27, 1921.[12] Robert Fleming, President of theCanadian National Exhibition (CNE) declared that the building would be the largest of its kind in the world, with a floor space of 8.5 acres (3.4 ha).[13][14]
The Fair Association had hoped for the arena to be open by the fall of 1921 to inaugurate the new fair, but it was not ready. TheCA$1 million (CA$13.8 million in 2023 dollars)[15] building had its official public opening on December 16, 1921, attended by 5,000 persons to see an athletic meet put on by the "Sportsmen Patriotic Association."[16] Upon completion, the building was billed as the largest of its kind in North America.[17] The name "Coliseum" was given to the building in 1922, in time for the opening of the CNE.[18] The main entrance was to the north, along Manitoba Drive. The southern side of the building was along the main TTC streetcar rail lines serving the CNE, which separated the Coliseum and Industry Buildings to the north, and the later Engineering and Electrical Building (1928) to the south. In 1926, additions were built and the complex was claimed to be the largest structure of its kind under one roof in the world.[19] In 1931, theHorse Palace was built next door to provide a permanent building for the stables of the Winter Fair.[20]From 1942 to 1945, the building was used as a training base for theRoyal Canadian Air Force duringWorld War II and known as the 'Manning Depot'.[17] A photo of it as the RCAF Manning Depot is in the New Westminster Museum and Archives # IHP9562-003. After the war, it mainly hosted equestrian events for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the CNE and other events. The arena was also used as a horse barn.
In time for the 1963 CNE, the southern facade was reconstructed.[21] As part of the renovation, the southern facade was reclad with black, grey and white siding and a new front plaza was built, with a large "COLISEUM" sign on top. The CNE spentCA$3 million from 1960 until 1963 on "face-lifting" the Coliseum.[22] In 1997, the National Trade Centre (now theEnercare Centre) exhibition complex was built. The new project removed the 1963 entrance and cladding, restoring the original facade, although the cupola towers on the southern facade had been removed in the 1963 renovation. Access to the Coliseum was moved to the western entrance of the exhibition complex through a hall known as Heritage Court.[23]
In November 2002, the City of Toronto agreed to an extensive renovation of the Coliseum to attract a professionalice hockey team to the arena.[24] At a cost ofCA$38 million, the arena's capacity was expanded from 6,500 to 9,700 by building a new higher roof, lowering the floor, adding new seats in the expanded area[4][5] and the installation of 38 private suites.[4]Borealis Infrastructure contributedCA$9 million up front andCA$20 million of borrowed funds in return for a 49-year lease to the arena.[25][26] The City of Toronto investedCA$9 million in the project and guaranteed Borealis' loans, while remaining the owner of the building.[4][25][24][26]
In 2003, Japanese office supply companyRicoh purchased the naming rights to the new facility forCA$10 million over ten years, with an optional five-year extension.[4][5][25][27]
During the summer of 2015, a new scoreboard was installed at theAir Canada Centre, and the old scoreboard was installed at the Coliseum.[28]
In 2018, MLSE announced that theToronto Argonauts football operations offices and weight rooms would be relocated to the Coliseum in late June of that year.[29] On July 11, 2018, at the end of Ricoh's partnership with the building,Coca-Cola purchased the naming rights to the facility for ten years, renaming it the "Coca-Cola Coliseum".[30]
Since November 1922, the Coliseum has been used by theRoyal Agricultural Winter Fair held in November annually except during the years ofWorld War II. The Fair uses the arena for the annual "Royal Horse Show" equestrian competition, as well as animal presentations.
Each year in August, the Coliseum is used by the CNE for exhibits and performances. It has in the past used for CNE cat, dog and horse shows. Until 2013, the CNE held the CNE Horse Show, a competitive event in the Coliseum. At one time run during the Ex, it changed to be a pre-CNE event in 2005.[31] It has been used by theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride. During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 CNE, it was used for a figure skating show.
The arena is also used for trade shows. The annual Boat Show builds an indoor pond over the arena floor.
As early as the 1970s, plans were floated to outfit CNE Coliseum forice hockey. When theWorld Hockey Association'sOttawa Nationals moved to Toronto as theToronto Toros, they initially wanted to play at a renovated CNE Coliseum. However, due to objections from Maple Leafs vice presidentBill Ballard, the Toros played atVarsity Arena before briefly becoming tenants of the Leafs atMaple Leaf Gardens.
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In the early 2000s, there were efforts to bring a minor professional hockey team to the Coliseum. Plans to move the dormantPhoenix Roadrunners of theInternational Hockey League to Toronto for the 2002–2003 season fell apart when the league dissolved and six teams, but not the Roadrunners, were absorbed by theAmerican Hockey League (AHL) in the summer of 2001.[32][25] The same group then attempted to purchase theLouisville Panthers AHL franchise, which had suspended operations for the 2001–2002 season, and relocate it to the Coliseum, but the AHL voted against the transaction in December 2001.[33][34][27] TheToronto Maple Leafs pressured theHamilton Bulldogs, who held territorial rights to Toronto since it fell within their 50-mile home territory, to veto the transaction.[33] The Leafs reportedly did not want the Coliseum to be upgraded as it would compete with their newly openedAir Canada Centre.[25] Next, the group began pursuing the Bulldogs, which were owned by their NHL affiliate theEdmonton Oilers.[34][27][35] The Bulldogs did not require league approval to move to Toronto since the Coliseum was within their territory.[25][27][35][36] An agreement was reached with the Oilers to relocate the Bulldogs to Toronto, and to rename them theToronto Roadrunners. Borealis signed a 49-year sublease to the building with the Roadrunners for $9,500 per game.[25][26]
On November 1, 2003, the Coliseum made its debut as an ice hockey venue, as the Roadrunners tied theRochester Americans 1-1. However, the Roadrunners' lease was terminated in June 2004, following their first season, for defaulting on its rent.[26][37] The Oilers chose torelocate the Roadrunners toEdmonton for the following season due to poor attendance and in anticipation of the impendingNHL lockout, leaving the Coliseum without a hockey tenant.
In August 2004Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment announced that they would relocate theirAHL farm team fromSt. John's, Newfoundland to Toronto to play in the Coliseum for the 2005–2006 season,[38] after agreeing on a 20-year lease for the arena, with an option to extend the term for a further 10 years.[26] Their lease calls for rent to cover debt financing charges, property taxes and generate a return to the arena investors,[39] which exceeds $4 million annually.[40] The team, which was subsequently renamed theToronto Marlies, debuted in their new home on October 12, 2005, with a 5–2 victory over theSyracuse Crunch, in front of a crowd of 8,056. The Coliseum hosted the 2007AHL All-Star Game on January 29, 2007. In 2023 the city approved amendments to MLSE's lease of the Coliseum including a 10 year extension starting in 2025, with an option for a further 10 year extension.[41]
On October 27, 2021, the city ofSt. John's voted to evict theNewfoundland Growlers from their home arena ofMary Brown's Centre, citing workplace harassment of arena employees.[42] The Growlers initially reached an agreement to relocate their first six home games to be at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto,[43][44] however they subsequently came to an agreement with the nearby city ofConception Bay South to play in the games at their local arena.[45]
On April 30, 2024, it was announced that theToronto Sceptres of theProfessional Women's Hockey League—which played most of its inaugural regular season out ofMattamay Athletic Centre—would host its playoff games at the Coliseum.[46] The Sceptres hosted the first game of its first round series against theMinnesota Frost on May 8; the Sceptres won 4–0 in front of a sold-out crowd.[47] On September 3, 2024, Coca-Cola Coliseum was officially announced as the Sceptres's primary venue for the 2024-25 PWHL season.[48]
The Coliseum has been used for numerous musical concerts. Acts that have performed there includePlayboi Carti,Lil Tecca,Jimi Hendrix,The Doors,The Who,Genesis,Bob Dylan,Vanilla Fudge,Mötley Crüe,G.E.M.,[51]Joker Xue,Hatsune Miku[52] andKraftwerk.[53] From 1922 to 1934, the CNE's Canadian National Exhibition Chorus performed in the arena.[54] In 2007, the Coliseum hosted the firstWe Day concert.[55]
In March 2016, the Coliseum hosted theWWE Network specialRoadblock.[56][57]
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) scheduled its first ever Canadian shows at the Coliseum, with a live broadcast ofAEW Dynamite on October 12, 2022, and a taping ofRampage the following night.[58]
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