Clarence-Rockland Arena
| Aréna de Clarence-Rockland (French) | |
| Former names | Canadian International Hockey Academy Arena (2011–2022) |
|---|---|
| Address | 8710 County Road 17 |
| Location | Rockland, Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°33′29″N 75°16′16″W / 45.558°N 75.271°W |
| Owner | City of Clarence-Rockland |
| Operator | City of Clarence-Rockland |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 2,000 (3,000 with standing room) Concerts: 4,200 Amphitheatre: 3,500 Theatre: 1,500 |
| Record attendance | Ice hockey: 1,892 (April 16, 2025) Concerts: 4,200 (November 7, 2019) |
| Field size | 121,500 sq ft (11,290 m2) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 1, 2008 |
| Opened | August 25, 2011 |
| Construction cost | C$18 million |
| Tenants | |
| Rockland Nationals (CCHL) (2017–present) Clarence Castors (NCJHL) (2011–2017) | |
| Website | |
| https://www.clarence-rockland.com/en/loisirs-et-divertissements/arenas-and-skating.aspx | |
Clarence-Rockland Arena (French: Aréna de Clarence-Rockland), formerly known as Canadian International Hockey Academy Arena or CIH Arena, is a multi-purpose arena located in Rockland, Ontario, Canada.[1] Opened on August 25, 2011, the facility features two rinks, with its main one the home of the Rockland Nationals of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). It is owned by the City of Clarence-Rockland, and is managed by the Rockland Nationals ownership group.
With a seating capacity of 2,000 in its hockey configuration, Clarence-Rockland Arena is the fourth biggest arena of the CCHL after the Cornwall Civic Complex, Nepean Sportsplex and the Pembroke Memorial Centre.[2] Alongside hockey, Clarence-Rockland Arena has hosted concerts, and occasional theatre. Since it opened in 2011, it has consistently been listed as one of the league's busiest arenas, usually receiving the highest attendance of any other arenas in the league. In 2025, it was the fifth-busiest Junior A arena in the country based on attendance numbers.
History
The facility was opened on August 25, 2011 as the Canadian International Hockey Academy (CIH) Arena. It was previously the home of the Clarence Castors, a former Junior B team in the National Capital Junior Hockey League.
In late September 2016, Paul Jennings sold the Gloucester Rangers to a group of partners being André Chaput, André Charlebois & Amélie Lecompte, Jean-Robert Léger and Robert Bourdeau. Paul Jennings purchased the Orleans Blues franchise from Chaput in 2007. The Gloucester Rangers finished the 2016–17 season and relocated to the 2,000-seat arena to become the Rockland Nationals after playing at the aging Earl Armstrong for nearly 50 years.
The arena hosted played their inaugural home opener on September 8, 2017 and won the game 3–1 against their regional rival Navan Grads with an attendance of 1,200.
On September 7, 2018, a franchise record crowd of 1,502 fans attended the 2018–19 Rockland Nationals home opener as the Nats invited former Ottawa Senators legend Chris Neil and Ryan Dzingel to make ceremonial puck drop before the game.[3] Rockland was able to pull a 4–1 win over the Navan Grads.[4]
On May 16, 2022 during an employee meeting, the Clarence-Rockland council approved a resolution to sign an agreement with the CIH Academy to take over the management of the building.[5] The arena has been managed by the CIHA since it opened in 2011, but effective August 1, 2022, Clarence-Rockland took over operations of the arena.[6]
On September 8, 2024, the Nationals won the first edition of the RE/MAX Cup against their rival Hawkesbury Hawks when the Clarence-Rockland Arena hosted the 3-day tournament.
The Nats were able to break their franchise record crowd from 2018 on April 16, 2025 during Game 7 of the semifinals against the Smiths Falls Bears, with 1,892 people attending the game on home ice.[7]
Arena information
The building covers an area of 1.290 hectares (3.19 acres) (11,290 square metres (121,500 sq ft)). It has a seating capacity of 2,000, making it the fourth largest arena in the CCHL. It also holds a second rink and a community room.[8][9]
Capacities of the arena from highest to lowest are:
- Concerts: 4,200
- Amphitheatre: 3,500
- Hockey: 2,000
- Theatre: 1,500
A new scoreboard was installed prior to the 2022–2023 season, and a goal horn was installed in March 2024.
It is one of the only two arenas that uses a realistic goal horn; the other one being the Navan Grads. All the 10 other CCHL teams use a goal horn recording via a computer, which is sounded by the team's DJ. The horn is a Nathan Airchime K3LA, which is used by several diesel trains in North America.[10]
See also
References
- ^ "Arenas and Skating". www.clarence-rockland.com. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "CIH Arena - Canada, Capital Region Ottawa–Gatineau, Clarence-Rockland, Metropolitan Areas, Ontario". Arena Guide. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
- ^ SimonHoule (2018-09-08). Rockland Nationals 2018-19 Home Opener - (ft. Chris Neil & Ryan Dzingel). Retrieved 2025-03-26 – via YouTube.
- ^ "CCHL- Central Canada Hockey League". www.thecchl.ca. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ Audet, Karine (2022-05-19). "Clarence-Rockland takes over management of CIH Arena". Les éditions André Paquette (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "The City takes over the management of the Clarence-Rockland Arena". www.clarence-rockland.com. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "CCHL- Central Canada Hockey League". www.thecchl.ca. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
- ^ "Facility Rental". www.clarence-rockland.com. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "CIH Arena in Clarence-Rockland - Rockland". a-better-place.com. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
- ^ "Nathan AirChime K3 Train Horn". HornBlasters. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
External links
- https://www.clarence-rockland.com/en/loisirs-et-divertissements/arenas-and-skating.aspx
- https://arena-guide.com/arena/cih-arena/
- https://www.clarence-rockland.com/en/nouvelles/La_Cit__prend_la_gestion_de_l_ar_na_Clarence-Rockland.aspx
- https://editionap.ca/2022/05/19/clarence-rockland-takes-over-management-of-cih-arena/