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Coordinates: 49°53′34″N 97°8′37″W / 49.89278°N 97.14361°W / 49.89278; -97.14361
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| location = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]
| location = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]
| coordinates = {{coord|49|53|34|N|97|8|37|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|49|53|34|N|97|8|37|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = April 16, 2003<ref name="Quick Facts">{{cite web |title=Quick Facts|url=http://www.mtscentre.ca/mts-centre-information/quick-facts|publisher=True North Sports & Entertainment|accessdate=February 5, 2013}}</ref>
| broke_ground = April 16, 2003<ref name="Quick Facts">{{cite web|title=Quick Facts|url=http://www.mtscentre.ca/mts-centre-information/quick-facts|publisher=True North Sports & Entertainment|accessdate=February 5, 2013}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| built =
| built =
| opened = November 16, 2004
| opened = November 16, 2004
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With the bankruptcy of the iconic [[Eaton's]] retailer, the famed store that was originally constructed in Winnipeg was emptied in late 2001.<ref name="PCL"/> Various alternative uses for the building (including residential condominiums) were suggested, but ultimately the arena was deemed to be the most viable and beneficial to the city's struggling downtown by Winnipeg Mayor [[Glen Murray (politician)|Glen Murray]] and True North.<ref name="Uniter">{{cite news |title=The MTS Centre Has Not Revitalized Downtown|first=Nick|last=Ternette|url=http://uniter.ca/view/2607/|work=The Uniter|date=December 3, 2009|accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> After a small, but emotional resistance to losing the Western Canadian landmark Eaton's building by some locals and the Save the Eaton's Coalition, which inspired a "group hug" of the "Big Store" by a reported 180 people in 2001, the store was demolished in 2002 to make way for the new entertainment complex.
With the bankruptcy of the iconic [[Eaton's]] retailer, the famed store that was originally constructed in Winnipeg was emptied in late 2001.<ref name="PCL"/> Various alternative uses for the building (including residential condominiums) were suggested, but ultimately the arena was deemed to be the most viable and beneficial to the city's struggling downtown by Winnipeg Mayor [[Glen Murray (politician)|Glen Murray]] and True North.<ref name="Uniter">{{cite news |title=The MTS Centre Has Not Revitalized Downtown|first=Nick|last=Ternette|url=http://uniter.ca/view/2607/|work=The Uniter|date=December 3, 2009|accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> After a small, but emotional resistance to losing the Western Canadian landmark Eaton's building by some locals and the Save the Eaton's Coalition, which inspired a "group hug" of the "Big Store" by a reported 180 people in 2001, the store was demolished in 2002 to make way for the new entertainment complex.


The MTS Centre officially opened on November 16, 2004, replacing the aging [[Winnipeg Arena]], which had been in operation since 1955. In an effort to recognize the store's history, red bricks were incorporated into the design of the arena façade, evoking the memory of the Eaton’s store that had once graced Portage Avenue. An original store window and Tyndall stone surround is mounted in the arena concourse to house a collection of Eaton's memorabilia. In addition, two war memorials were incorporated into the building.<ref name="PCL">{{cite web|title=MTS Centre (True North Centre |url=http://www.pcl.com/projects/archived/MTSCentre/index.aspx |publisher=PCL Construction |accessdate=August 4, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906115206/http://www.pcl.com/projects/archived/MTSCentre/index.aspx |archivedate=September 6, 2008 }}</ref> The [[Timothy Eaton statue]] that was once a main feature of the store is also housed in the MTS Centre, near the spot where it stood in the Eaton's building.<ref>{{cite web |title=Timothy Eaton statue begins relocation to MTS Centre|url=http://www.mtscentre.ca/press_releases/031029/|publisher=Concertticketcenter.com|date=October 29, 2003|accessdate=July 22, 2010}}</ref>
The MTS Centre officially opened on November 16, 2004, replacing the aging [[Winnipeg Arena]], which had been in operation since 1955. In an effort to recognize the store's history, red bricks were incorporated into the design of the arena façade, evoking the memory of the Eaton’s store that had once graced Portage Avenue. An original store window and Tyndall stone surround is mounted in the arena concourse to house a collection of Eaton's memorabilia. In addition, two war memorials were incorporated into the building.<ref name="PCL">{{cite web|title=MTS Centre (True North Centre |url=http://www.pcl.com/projects/archived/MTSCentre/index.aspx |publisher=PCL Construction |accessdate=August 4, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906115206/http://www.pcl.com/projects/archived/MTSCentre/index.aspx |archivedate=September 6, 2008 }}</ref> The [[Timothy Eaton statue]] that was once a main feature of the store is also housed in the MTS Centre, near the spot where it stood in the Eaton's building.<ref>{{cite web|title=Timothy Eaton statue begins relocation to MTS Centre|url=http://www.mtscentre.ca/press_releases/031029/|publisher=Concertticketcenter.com|date=October 29, 2003|accessdate=July 22, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706185942/http://www.mtscentre.ca/press_releases/031029/|archivedate=July 6, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


===Hockey===
===Hockey===

Revision as of 12:14, 17 July 2017

Not to be confused with Bell Centre.

Bell MTS Place
The Phone Booth[1][2]
Map
Former namesTrue North Centre (planning)
MTS Centre (2004–2017)
Address300 Portage Avenue
LocationWinnipeg, Manitoba
Coordinates49°53′34″N 97°8′37″W / 49.89278°N 97.14361°W / 49.89278; -97.14361
OwnerTrue North Sports & Entertainment
OperatorTrue North Sports & Entertainment
CapacityHockey: 15,294[3]
End-Stage Concert: 16,170[3]
Centre-Stage Concert: 16,345[3]
Rodeo/Motocross: 13,198[3]
Basketball: ≥15,750
Field size440,000 square feet (41,000 m2)
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Broke groundApril 16, 2003[3]
OpenedNovember 16, 2004
Construction costCA$133.5 million
($230 million in 2023 dollars[4])
ArchitectSink Combs Dethlefs
Number TEN Architectural Group
Smith Carter
Project managerHammes Company
Structural engineerMartin & Martin/Crosier Kilgour[5]
Services engineerM*E/MCW-AGE[6]
General contractorPCL Constructors Canada Inc.[7]
Tenants
Winnipeg Jets (NHL) (2011–present)
Manitoba Moose (AHL) (2004–2011, 2015–present)
Winnipeg Alliance FC (CMISL) (2007, 2010)
Website
Official website

Bell MTS Place (formerly MTS Centre) is an indoor arena in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. The arena is the home of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and the Jets' American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.[8][9][10]

The Bell MTS Place stands on the former Eaton's site and is owned and operated by True North Sports & Entertainment. The 440,000 square feet[3] (41,000 m2) building was constructed at a cost of $133.5 million CAD. It opened on November 16, 2004, replacing the since-demolished Winnipeg Arena. It has a capacity of 15,294 for hockey and 16,345 for concerts. Originally known as the True North Centre during its planning and construction stages, it was named MTS Centre as part of a naming rights agreement with Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS). It was renamed Bell MTS Place on May 30, 2017 following Bell Canada's acquisition of MTS.[11]

History

Development

With the bankruptcy of the iconic Eaton's retailer, the famed store that was originally constructed in Winnipeg was emptied in late 2001.[12] Various alternative uses for the building (including residential condominiums) were suggested, but ultimately the arena was deemed to be the most viable and beneficial to the city's struggling downtown by Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray and True North.[13] After a small, but emotional resistance to losing the Western Canadian landmark Eaton's building by some locals and the Save the Eaton's Coalition, which inspired a "group hug" of the "Big Store" by a reported 180 people in 2001, the store was demolished in 2002 to make way for the new entertainment complex.

The MTS Centre officially opened on November 16, 2004, replacing the aging Winnipeg Arena, which had been in operation since 1955. In an effort to recognize the store's history, red bricks were incorporated into the design of the arena façade, evoking the memory of the Eaton’s store that had once graced Portage Avenue. An original store window and Tyndall stone surround is mounted in the arena concourse to house a collection of Eaton's memorabilia. In addition, two war memorials were incorporated into the building.[12] The Timothy Eaton statue that was once a main feature of the store is also housed in the MTS Centre, near the spot where it stood in the Eaton's building.[14]

Hockey

American Hockey League

A Manitoba Moose game

The AHL's Manitoba Moose were the arena's first tenant, from its opening in 2004 to 2011.[3] The team relocated to St. John's prior to the 2011–12 AHL season to make way for the arrival of the Winnipeg Jets.[15] The Moose returned to the MTS Centre for the 2015–16 season, making the arena the first (together with the SAP Center at San Jose) to be home to both an NHL team and its AHL affiliate.[8][9] Only the lower bowl, which has a capacity of 8,812, is used for the majority of Moose home games.[9]

The arena hosted the AHL All-Star Classic on February 1, 2006, in which Team Canada defeated Team PlanetUSA, 9-4.

National Hockey League

From 1972 to 1996, the original Winnipeg Jets played home games out of the now-demolished Winnipeg Arena. Facing mounting financial troubles, the franchise relocated to Arizona after the 1995–96 NHL season and became the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Winnipeg Jets celebrate their first regulation win in Winnipeg at the MTS Centre on October 17, 2011.

The idea of Winnipeg one day returning to the NHL gained momentum after the MTS Centre opened. David Thomson and Mark Chipman were floated as potential owners of an NHL team, although many questions were raised about the MTS Centre's potential suitability as an NHL venue. The arena's capacity was well below that of the next-smallest NHL arena at that time, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which sat 16,170 but lacked modern design elements. Chipman stated that the arena's current size was sufficient for an NHL team due to the unique economics of the local market.[16]

On May 19, 2011, The Globe and Mail reported that Mark Chipman and True North were finalizing the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers, with the intent of moving the team to Winnipeg.[17][18] Twelve days later, True North chairman Mark Chipman, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and Premier of Manitoba Greg Selinger held a press conference at the MTS Centre to announce the deal, which was formally approved by the NHL Board of Governors three weeks later. As part of the transition to the NHL, the arena went through some minor renovations to bring it in line with the league's standards, including construction of additional press boxes, shuttered lighting, flexible rink glass, and upgraded ice refrigeration system.[19] Further improvements were made over the next few years, including concourse expansion and the installation of a new high-definition scoreboard. A total of 278 premium seats were added to the upper level in 2015, slightly increasing the arena's capacity.[20]

Prior to the return of the Jets, the MTS Centre hosted a number of NHL preseason games. The first was held on September 17, 2006 between the Edmonton Oilers and the Phoenix Coyotes, in front of a sold-out crowd, which the Oilers won 5–0.[21] The NHL exhibition game became an annual event for the MTS Centre, concluding in September 2010 when the defending Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks played the Tampa Bay Lightning in front of a crowd of 14,092.[22]

International

In international hockey, the arena hosted the 2007 IIHF Women's World Championship, which was won by the host country. Other international matches hosted at the arena included 2005 World Junior Championship pretournament games, the fifth game of the 2007 Super Series between Canada and Russia, and the medal round of the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.

Events

Sports

Entertainment

Main article: List of entertainment events at Bell MTS Place

Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum

Main article: Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Phone Booth is rockin'". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  2. ^ "Fixing Up The Phone Booth". Winnipeg Jets. NHL.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Quick Facts". True North Sports & Entertainment. Retrieved February 5, 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ 1688 to 1923: Geloso, Vincent, A Price Index for Canada, 1688 to 1850 (December 6, 2016). Afterwards, 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. Retrieved April 17, 2021. and table 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 May 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Crosier Kilgour - Projects Archived September 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Number TEN Group - Recreation[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Emporis.com - MTS Centre
  8. ^ a b "True North relocates AHL franchise to Winnipeg". Winnipeg Jets. March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c Roberts, Meghan (March 12, 2015). "Winnipeggers and local businesses welcome AHL team". CTV Winnipeg. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  10. ^ "TRUE NORTH SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED UNVEILS MANITOBA MOOSE AS NAME OF AHL FRANCHISE & ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF TICKET CAMPAIGN". MooseHockey.com. Manitoba Moose. May 4, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "MTS Centre, Iceplex renamed following Bell takeover of MTS". CBC News. Canadian Press. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "MTS Centre (True North Centre". PCL Construction. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Ternette, Nick (December 3, 2009). "The MTS Centre Has Not Revitalized Downtown". The Uniter. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  14. ^ "Timothy Eaton statue begins relocation to MTS Centre". Concertticketcenter.com. October 29, 2003. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Thrashers Headed to Winnipeg". ESPN. June 1, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  16. ^ Ternette, Nick (November 3, 2010). "Coyote Question: Is Phoenix an NHL Market?". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 21, 2010.
  17. ^ Brunt, Stephen (May 19, 2011). "Atlanta Thrashers Moving to Winnipeg". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  18. ^ "Sources: Thrashers Deal Not Done". ESPN. May 19, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  19. ^ "Daly Says MTS Centre Meets Most League Standards As Is". TSN. June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  20. ^ "MTS Centre Makeover". Winnipeg Sun. September 16, 2015.
  21. ^ The Canadian Press (September 16, 2006). "Former Jets Return to Winnipeg After 10 Years". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  22. ^ Wiebe, Ken (May 5, 2009). "Lightning to Host Oilers at MTS Centre". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bell MTS Place.
Preceded by Home of the Manitoba Moose
2004–2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Home of the Manitoba Moose
2015–present 		Succeeded by
present
Preceded by Home of the Winnipeg Jets
2011–present 		Succeeded by
present
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