From the archives: Woodbridge Memorial Arena and Hall
Image
Learn more about the
city’s history from the Vaughan Archives
From the traditional territories of the First
Peoples of Turtle Island, to a farmland community, to a bustling city centre
and everything in between – Vaughan's transformation is a story worth telling.
As part of a monthly series, the City of Vaughan releases historical content
from the City’s Archives.
Scroll through memory lane, learn about the city's
past and explore the places, people and events that were pivotal to the
development of the Vaughan we know today. This month, the City is highlighting the
Woodbridge Memorial Arena and Hall.
After the end of the Second World War, the provincial government passed
legislation to encourage municipalities to build war memorials in the form of
community halls and arenas. As a result, the Village of Woodbridge passed a
supporting by-law and formed its first Recreation Committee in September 1948.
This committee was comprised of Dr. Garnet McLean, Ralph Robinson, Alex E.
Kearney, Arthur Wauchope, Grant Henderson, John Watson and Roy Baker.
At a meeting in October 1948, the Recreation Committee decided that a memorial
arena and hall should be built adjacent and to the north of Elm Park, which is
now 5020 Highway 7. In January 1949, the committee appointed more members to
oversee the building, with Robinson Converters Ltd. making a gift of the land.
The Recreation Committee met weekly to plan and arrange for the building
of the Woodbridge Memorial Arena and Hall. They inspected local ice rinks,
consulted local builders and interviewed government officials.
On Sept. 1, 1949, Jack Elder, the winner of the grading contract, began
levelling the area, which is today located at 5020 Highway 7. Grading started
about 10 feet behind the dance pavilion and extended 238 feet towards the Humber
River.
The Ontario Municipal Board approved the borrowing of $30,000 to aid in
building the centre. In addition, $15,000 was raised from public subscriptions
and $10,000 from provincial grants. This funding went towards the building of
the memorial hall and area; however, further contributions were necessary and
were collected through fundraising events and donations by private citizens.
The Woodbridge Memorial Arena Board was established in 1950 by
Woodbridge Council. The Board consisted of representatives from Council and
members of service clubs in the village, including the Mackenzie Branch of the
Canadian Legion, the Burwick Women’s Institute and the Woodbridge Board of
Trade. They were appointed for a two-year term.
The facility officially opened on Thursday, Feb. 1, 1951. Major
Alexander Mackenzie, W.E. Brandon and J.A. Carroll attended the ceremony.
The first hockey game was held in the arena on Jan. 18, 1951 and the
first lacrosse game took place on June 15, 1951.
ABOUT VAUGHAN ARCHIVES
Established in 1988,
the City of Vaughan
Archives
is home to more than 600 collections, consisting of both City records and cultural
records about Vaughan from 1860 to the present day. Records include, but are
not limited to, the following:
- City business records with long-term legal and administrative value, such as Council meeting minutes, by-laws, assessment rolls, financial records, reports and official correspondence
- church, community and school records
- census records
- historical photographs
- land records
- historical maps, plans and aerial photographs
- newspapers
- personal papers of past residents and founding families, such as diaries, family histories, journals and letters
- records of local organizations both past and present
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES
ONLINE!
The City's Archival
Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are
now available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
- From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
- Featured Artists of Vaughan
- Historical Families of Vaughan
- Historical Figures: Lord Beaverbrook
- Historical Photography
- Recollections of Rural Vaughan
- The Mary Wood Collection
- The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
- Vaughan Working Environments
- Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine
- Vaughan Through the Ages: Music
- Vaughan Through the Ages: Sports and Recreation
- Stories of Remembrance
- Vaughan's Forgotten Heroes
- Early Churches of Vaughan
- Historical Schools of Vaughan
By managing and
preserving both City and community records, the Enterprise Information
Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will
continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.