Construction on the UBC Thunderbird Arena began in April 2006, and involved refurbishing the Father Bauer Arena, built in 1963, and the construction of two new rinks: a practice rink and a 7,500-seat competition arena. Construction was completed on budget and 4 months ahead of its originally scheduled completion date of November 2008.
“The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are leaving a lasting legacy of world-class sporting venues, generating new economic opportunities and promoting active living and sporting excellence for generations to come,” said British Columbia (BC) Premier Gordon Campbell. “Through the new Venues’ Aboriginal Art Program, we can showcase BC’s strong Aboriginal arts community to the world, and share the richness and diversity of our province’s cultural heritage with millions of people.”
“This beautiful new venue builds on a proud UBC and Vancouver Olympic hockey legacy,” said Professor Stephen J. Toope, president and vice-chancellor of UBC. “It was here in 1963 that Father David Bauer founded Canada’s first national Olympic hockey team with a nucleus of UBC players. I take pleasure in knowing that this will be a wonderful home for a new generation of competitive and recreational athletes — an exceptional facility for UBC athletes and for the entire community to use and enjoy.”
Prior to the Games, the facility will be home to the UBC Thunderbirds’ varsity hockey program, student and staff programs, and community programs. The community can use the venue for over 230 hours a week for hockey leagues, high school rentals, drop-in programs and other events. Hockey Canada will also use the facility as a pre- and post-Games training and event-hosting venue. Following the Games, the venue will become a recreational and high-performance, multi-sport legacy facility, easily convertible for ice sledge hockey training and competitions. The arena can also be converted to a concert venue.
“The Government of Canada is proud to play a key part in the success of the 2010 Winter Games and the development of world-class facilities such as the UBC Thunderbird Arena,” said James Moore, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific Gateway) (2010 Olympics) (Official Languages). “This venue will serve not only as a top-notch venue for our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, but also as a lasting legacy for the community. Athletes and local residents will be able to use the arena for years to come.”
UBC Thunderbird Arena was developed by UBC Properties Trust and built by Bird Construction.
