Cardiff Arena
{{Short description|Temporary ice rink in Cardiff, Wales}}
{{More references|date=October 2019}}
{{about|an ice arena|the concert and exhibition centre|Cardiff International Arena|the proposed indoor arena|New Cardiff Bay Arena}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Cardiff Arena
| nickname = Cardiff Bay Ice Arena
| former_names =
| image = Cardiff Arena (ISV).jpg
| caption =
| location = Cardiff International Sports Village, Cardiff Bay
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4504|-3.1794|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| opened = 6 December 2006
| renovated =
| closed = 27 February 2016
| demolished = 2016
| owner =
| tenants = Cardiff Devils
| architect =
| seating_capacity = 2,500
}}
Cardiff Arena, also known as Cardiff Bay Ice Arena and by ice hockey fans as the Big Blue Tent,{{cite web |title=Bye Bye Big BLue Tent |url=https://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/bye-bye-bbt/ |website=Cardiff Devils |accessdate=2020-03-31}} was a temporary ice rink at Cardiff International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales. It had a capacity of 2,500 for ice hockey and was home to the Cardiff Devils{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/first-look-inside-new-home-10790422|title=First look inside Cardiff's new ice rink which will house 3,000 spectators|last=Dewey|first=Philip|date=2016-01-26|website=walesonline|access-date=2020-04-03}} after leaving the Wales National Ice Rink which was being demolished to make way for a John Lewis department store.{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/remember-this-heres-what-cardiff-11777071|title=Remember this? Here's what Cardiff looked like a decade ago|last=Silk|first=Huw|date=2016-08-20|website=walesonline|access-date=2020-04-03}}
It was also used for figure skating and hosted three competitions (in February 2009, 2011 and 2012). It was replaced as the home of the Cardiff Devils when they moved into the Ice Arena Wales.{{cite news |last1=Dewey |first1=Philip |title=First look inside Cardiff's new ice rink which will house 3,000 spectators |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/first-look-inside-cardiffs-new-10790422 |accessdate=2020-03-31 |publisher=Wales Online |date=2016-02-20}}
History
=Construction, opening=
The ice rink was a prefabricated structure constructed in Finland. Assembly began in 2006 and after a number of delays opened on 6 December 2006 when the Devils hosted the Manchester Phoenix (who, coincidentally, were also waiting for a similar venue to be completed) in an Elite Ice Hockey League fixture. The Devils won the game 7-4 while Manchester's Tony Hand became the first player to score a goal at the rink.
=Closure=
File:Cardiff Arena being dismantled - Geograph-5028234-by-Gareth-James.jpg
The last game in the Cardiff Arena was played against Coventry Blaze on 27 February 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/wales/35678167|title=Ice Hockey Elite League: Cardiff Devils 1-2 Coventry Blaze|date=27 February 2016|work=BBC}} The first game in Ice Arena Wales was against the Belfast Giants on 12 March 2016.
In Summer 2016, the rink was dismantled. The wooden frame was moved to Leeds where it will be upgraded to form part of the new ice rink located on Elland Road, yards away from Leeds United Football Club. The upgrade will consist of new walls and an extension at the non-seated end of the rink which will include a bar and cafe over two floors. The stairs to the seating area have also been moved to the back in order to improve sightlines.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{commonscat-inline|Cardiff Arena}}
- {{Official website|http://www.cardiffdevils.com/|Cardiff Devils official website}}
{{Elite Ice Hockey League Venues}}
{{Sport in Cardiff}}
Category:Defunct sports venues in Wales
Category:Indoor arenas in Wales
Category:Ice hockey venues in Wales
Category:Sports venues completed in 2006
Category:Sports venues demolished in 2016
Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Wales