McIntyre Community Building

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McIntyre Community Building
McIntyre Community Building

The McIntyre Community Building was constructed in Timmins, Ontario, Canada in 1938 by McIntyre Mines owner J. P. Bickell. Bickell wanted a facility comparable to Maple Leaf Gardens (which he had helped to construct) for his miners. At the time, it was one of the finest recreational centres in Canada outside a major centre. McIntyre miners received $13 a month in coupons good for building services. The structure included an auditorium, gymnasium, hockey rink, curling rink, dining room, bowling alley, broadcast gondola as well as many other sport and social related amenities.

The building is still very active today and is home to the McIntyre Curling Club, the Schumacher Lions Club, the McIntyre Coffee Shop restaurant, and features in-house catering services for events for up to 1000 people. The McIntyre Arena (commonly known as the "Mac") has a total capacity of 1931, and is home to the Timmins Majors AAA Midget Hockey Club who play in the Great North Midget Hockey League. The arena is a scale model of Maple Leaf Gardens, complete with the famous red, green and blue seats, and end balconies. The Toronto Maple Leafs have played exhibition games at the "Mac", and have used it for their training camp. Barbara Ann Scott used the facility while training for the world figure skating championships.

A number of NHL hockey greats owe a measure of gratitude to the "Mac", among them eminent Liberal Senator and recipient of the Order of Canada, Frank Mahovlich, and Father Les Costello. The facility has also hosted a number of other events such as professional wrestling, championship curling bonspiels, sanctioned boxing, charitable events, rock concerts, circuses, and roller derby. Distinguished Group of Seven artist A.Y. Jackson made an appearance at the "Mac" as a guest speaker for the Porcupine Art Club.

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