Urban history in Selkirk MB: Selkirk Arena and Memorial Hall

© 2022, Christian Cassidy

In 2020, I had a chance to do a lot of historic research for the City of Selkirk for their new online museum and archive collection. This series is a brief summary of some of the interesting buildings and places that I found there.  If you want to try someplace new or an urban walk, definitely check out Selkirk!

 

The Selkirk Arena and Memorial Hall
368 Jemima Street, Selkirk MB
Prime Contractor: Ralph Walterson of Selkirk
Officially opened: December 9, 1949

The sod turning ceremony for the Selkirk Arena and Memorial Hall took place on September 28, 1948 by Mayor W. E. Gordon and Kinsmen Club president J. C. Erickson

The prime contractor was local builder Ralph Walterson whose team of paid workmen was supplemented by volunteer work parties on evenings and weekends.

The rink hosted its first ice-free event, the Selkirk Rotary Club Carnival, in September 1949. The official opening took place on December 9, 1949.

The man who cut the ribbon was 94-year-old John W. Jones who built and operated Selkirk's previous arena, the Alexandra Rink ,for over 20 years.

Related:
My photo album of the Selkirk Arena and Memorial Hall