Canadiens Say Goodbye To Lakeshore Arena

When the Belle River Canadiens leave the ice Friday night following their game against the Dresden Kings, it will mark the last ever regular season game for the Canadiens at Lakeshore Arena.

With the new Lakeshore Complex slated to house the Canadiens in the future, the old Lakeshore Arena, which has been the Belle River Canadiens’ home since 1978, will see it’s final regular season Great Lakes Junior C action this Friday, January 31.

The Canadiens have won four Clarence Schmalz Cup’s, and thirteen Great Lakes titles.

The move will not be without impact to Chatham-Kent. Currently, the Town of Lakeshore, utilizes approximately 30% of Tilbury’s ice time, providing the Municipality of Chatham-Kent with more than $30,000 in rentals each year. Lakeshore also uses Wheatley’s arena, however, Chatham-Kent’s deal with Lakeshore for use of these arenas expires in 2014. Lakeshore is expected to no longer need ice time in Chatham-Kent when the new Complex is fully operational.

Puck drop Friday is at 7:30pm.