Ricoh Coliseum - History

History

Initially known as the Civic Arena, the building had its official public opening on December 16, 1921. A joint construction project of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, it was claimed to be the largest structure of its kind in North America.

On April 4, 1922, it was the site of the Johnny Dundee vs Jimmy Goodrich boxing match promoted by Jack Corcoran that set a new indoor sports attendance record for Toronto with 11,900 spectators packed into the building. The mark would stand until the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931.

From 1942 to 1945, the building was used as a training base for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and known as the 'Manning Depot'. A photo of it as the RCAF Manning Depot is in the New Westminster Museum and Archives # IHP9562-003. After the war, it mainly hosted equestrian events for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the CNE and other events. The arena was also used as a horse barn.

In the 1960s, the southern exterior was recladded with black and white siding to update its look. In 1997, the National Trade Centre exhibition complex was built. The complex included new buildings to the south and southeast of the Coliseum, which abutted the front of the Coliseum, placing its main entrance indoors. The exterior cladding was removed, restoring the original appearance, albeit indoors.

In 2003, as part of its efforts to make Exhibition Place self-sufficient, the arena was extensively renovated, expanding its capacity by building a new higher roof and adding new seats in the expanded area. After its 2003 renovation, the Coliseum is now used for professional ice hockey, the Royal Canadian Horse Show during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and various events during the CNE. During the 2009, 2010 and 2011 CNE, it was used for a figure skating show.