Saying Goodbye to the Northlands Coliseum

Tonight, for the first time in 10 years, the last Edmonton Oilers home game of the year will be a celebration. This is not because of heroics on the ice (though there may be some), or because victory is assured (though it might happen), but because it will be the final game of an era. Tonight, after 42 years across two leagues as the home of the Edmonton Oilers, Rexall Place - born as the Northlands Coliseum, will cease to be the home of professional hockey. Fans and former players are gathering to say goodbye.

There will be other events in the coming months, and perhaps new life as an amateur facility, but tonight marks the end of an era.

Though it dragged on for years, it would be generous to call the debate about building a new hockey arena in Edmonton a fight. It was more a disagreement over the details. From the moment the first trial balloon appeared and the Mayor gave his stamp of approval, the Coliseum’s days were numbered. A few voices in the wilderness argued for saving the building, but they were drowned out by a chorus reciting the mantras of “world class” and “downtown revitalization”. Edmonton was destined to follow the paths of countless other North American cities, tying its hopes to a massive arena redevelopment project.

In this case, an arena proponent can claim some success, as much development around the arena is underway (a critic, however, might fairly point out that lots of downtown development was already underway before the arena plan was announced, and that much of the arena district development is pulling tenants from other parts of downtown, instead of attracting new ones).

For all the city may be gaining, it is also losing something. Yes, the new arena will be nicer, with more amenities, more comfortable seats, and video screens as far as the eye can see. It will be one of the nicest arenas in the league, until it’s not, which will happen as technology progresses and the next wave of teams get new or renovated arenas. A decade from now, the kids will not be impressed.

What is lost is a building with living hockey history. One of the things that makes sports great is the connection from the past to the present, often made through different generations. A parent will tell their child about seeing Gretzky score his 50th in his 39th game, or about the Oilers lifting the Cup, but they can’t sit in the venue where it happened and share that history. Place is powerful. The emotional connections we forge there, and with a place, especially so. It’s why we go back to college campuses, old neighborhoods, and hangout spots. It’s why we point to places and tell our partners, friends, or kids stories of what we did and what happened there.

In time, the new arena will host its own memorable moments, and people will forge memories and emotional connections to the place. While the memories of the Coliseum will carry on, an important link will be severed.

The Coliseum was where I saw Wayne Gretzky, the greatest player of my lifetime, and Grant Fuhr, my first hockey hero (a lefty, like me). It’s where we saw Mick Foley throw Randy Orton onto a pile of thumbtacks. It’s where I lost my voice cheering and chanting “Bel-four” until he got the hook.

I’ll miss the old barn. But I’ll never forget it.