The Museum’s collection is filled with the materials of our past. Some of these materials represent buildings that have long since disappeared from our streets. They might seem like cast-off objects today, but these corner stones, signs, and other materials represent the city as it was for the people who lived here before us. As we connect our experiences and identities to the places we frequent, the people of the past built their sense of place around the schools, libraries, hospitals, and homes represented here.
Garden City Arena
Hockey was introduced to St. Catharines in the 1870s and was played on outdoor rinks at Ridley College, on the Welland Canal, and in Montebello Park. Rinks were also constructed for one or two winters only in temporary locations. It was not until 1938 that a permanent home for hockey was built: the Garden City Arena.
After just months of fundraising, the Garden City Arena hosted many happy memories and several junior teams including the Black Hawks, Teepees, Fincups, Saints, IceDogs, Falcons, and Athletics for years.
A smaller arena was added to the complex in the 1960s and named for Rex Stimers in recognition of his dedicated volunteerism with youth in hockey. In 1996, a new complex joined the two arenas, and the Garden City Arena was named for long-time sports broadcaster Jack Gatecliffe.
The plaques and original bench seats were collected before demolition of the complex in 2023.
Explore eMuseum for additional materials from the Garden City Arena in our collection, including several photographs.
Watch History From Here: the Garden City Arena
The Queen Street YMCA/YWCA
The YMCA and YWCA have a long history in St. Catharines as a community group and service organization that has served those needs for over 120 years.
The Y has had a few homes since its inception in St. Catharines in 1859, and it makes a great example of the cycle of development in our city. Its first purpose-built location was constructed on St. Paul Street in 1904.
A new building incorporating growing membership and both the YMCA and YWCA was built in 1928 on Queen Street. The Queen Street Y features most in memories of folks who grew up here. It had a pool – and many took swimming lessons there – and recreational rooms where concerts and dances were held. The Queen Street Y was closed in 1996 and a new facility built just north of the QEW.
Learn a little more about the Queen Street Y with this blog post.
Listen to stories about the Queen Street Y with an oral history interview with Tom Hopkins.
Explore the sites of the old St. Paul Street Y and Queen Street Y with History InSite.
Explore eMuseum to see more of the Y’s materials in our collection, including several photographs.
Architectural Drawings and Blueprints, 1928.
These drawings were completed by architects Nicholson and McBeth in 1928. Copies were produced to assist with fundraising.
