For sale: Ruins of 100-year-old arena in Moncton hit the market
Nestled in the tall grass of Moncton's marsh, mostly hidden from sight, lies the ruins of what was once the largest indoor rink in the Maritimes.
Built in 1921 by local contractor Robert Donald, the Sunny Brae Arena was a big attraction in the Greater Moncton, N.B., area until fire destroyed it in 1928.
The circular rink with a conical roof was home to many hockey teams and used as a concert venue in the summer.
Lawren Campbell is the heritage and cultural coordinator for the City of Moncton at the Resurgo Place museum, not far from where the ruins are.
"It's so unique looking and it inspires that Roman amphitheatre kind of feeling to it, which was some of the inspiration when it was built. The fact that it's still up, 100 years, and it's ruins, really has that ancient, mystical kind of visual and atmosphere to it," said Campbell.
Now, it's for sale.
The lot, and what's left of the concrete structure, have been on the market for about two months, but it's complicated.
An image showing the ruins of a century-old arena in Moncton, N.B., taken on Dec. 6, 2022. (CTV Atlantic/ Derek Haggett)
Part of the 2.8 acres of land borders on the Petitcodiac River.
Realtor Mathieu Blanchard said there is also the railroad that is bordering the lot, which contractors cannot build within 30-metres of.
"Those are two objections that we are facing, but at the end of the day, the land is big enough to overcome both of those objections," said Blanchard.
The land is located near both hospitals, CF Champlain mall and Université de Moncton.
Blanchard thinks the land would be perfect for a small apartment building, but only an eight-unit building can be constructed.
"It's just a matter of investing the money into the property and being patient with the zoning and dealing with the city and come to an agreement to put the best project in place," said Blanchard.
Some Moncton residents don't even notice the old arena because it's tucked away in the marsh. Many don't even know what it once was.
"Eighty years it's been ruins. So, it's not like it was a structure in people's minds that they can really remember as an active rink," said Campbell. "It was always just ruins. Even people that only moved here maybe 20 years ago, 30 years ago could easily think, 'Oh, it's got to be something with the railway,' and not know what it actually is."
In 1926, big band leader John Phillip Sousa played in front of 2,000 people inside the rink and thousands more outside on the grass.
"If there was a rock star in the marching band world, which was a big deal back in the '20s, he would be it," said Campbell. "It was like the Rolling Stones coming to Moncton."
The lot is listed at $199,000 and Blanchard said he's had some interest.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.