| Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre | |
|---|---|
| Location | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Opened | March 26, 2005 |
| Owner | City of Victoria |
| Operator | RG Properties Ltd. |
| Construction cost | C$30-million |
| Capacity | 7,400 (Hockey) 9,000 (Concerts) |
| Tenants | |
| Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL) (2005–2011) Victoria Royals (WHL) (2011-) |
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The Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (SOFMC) is an indoor arena located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and is the largest arena in British Columbia outside of Vancouver. It is primarily used for ice hockey, previously the home arena of the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL, and currently the home of the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League. It is also used for concerts and other special events such as figure skating, curling, plays, trade shows and conferences. It is also opened for public ice skating on special occasions; sometimes the public can skate with the Victoria Salmon Kings players after some of the games. The building also features a fine dining restaurant (Lion's Den Restaurant), retail & meeting space. Shaw Communications has a TV studio on the main floor and itgroove Professional Services shared office space with the arena and former Salmon Kings personnel. It occupies the site of the former Victoria Memorial Arena as its successor facility. It is located within 10–15 minutes walking distance from the other Downtown Victoria landmarks such as: Chinatown, Victoria, Bay Centre shopping centre, Market Square, Victoria.
It was completed in 2005 and has a maximum seating capacity of 7,400. It replaced the aging and outdated Memorial Arena, also known as the "Barn on Blanshard" (rectangular with a curved roof, resembled a barn or aircraft hangar) which had been constructed in 1949. The first event to be held at the new arena was a Rod Stewart concert, one in which Rod and his performers came out on stage in hardhats and orange safety vests, poking fun at the fact the arena wasn't totally completed at the time.
The SOFMC was developed and is operated by RG Properties Ltd., a Vancouver based development/entertainment company with commercial, recreational and entertainment facilities throughout BC. RG Properties Ltd. was the corporate owner of the former Victoria Salmon Kings hockey team.
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The centre has hosted many musical and performance acts, as well as guest speakers, sporting tournaments, trade shows and other events. The following is a partial list of some of the more well-known guests and events.
In September 2007, as part of the Vancouver Canucks training camp that was being held at nearby Bear Mountain Arena in Colwood, the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre hosted the Vancouver Canucks annual intrasquad charity game.
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre has its own in-house ticketing company called "Select Your Tickets", which is also owned by RG Properties Ltd. "Select Your Tickets" has been operating inside the building since it opened in 2005.
| Preceded by Bear Mountain Arena |
Home of the Victoria Salmon Kings 2005 – 2011 |
Succeeded by Last |
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