Langley Events Centre
| Langley Events Centre | |
|---|---|
| Location |
 7888 200 StreetLangley, British Columbia, V2Y 3J4 |
| Coordinates | 49°8′45″N 122°39′58″W / 49.14583°N 122.66611°WCoordinates: 49°8′45″N 122°39′58″W / 49.14583°N 122.66611°W |
| Opened | April 1, 2009 |
| Capacity |
Arena: 5,276 Gymnasium: 2,200 |
| Tenants | |
|
Vancouver Stealth (NLL) (2013-present) Langley Rivermen (BCHL) (2009-present) Trinity Western University Spartans (CIS) (2009-present) Langley Thunder (WLA) (2009-present) BC Boys AAA High School Basketball Championship (2011-present) BC Titans (IBL) (2009-2010) | |
The Langley Events Centre is a 260,483-square-foot (24,199.7 m2) multipurpose facility in the Township of Langley. The LEC debuted in April 2009, hosting the 2009 BC Gymnastics Championships. It boasts an arena bowl with a 5,276 capacity for sports, including 24 individual suites. Also showcases a triple Gymnasium with configurations for 2,200 spectators around the main competition court, 1,150 spectators around the main court and 100 around the secondary court, or 3 full courts with 100 to 200 spectators at each. Other highlights of the facility include Western Canada’s largest dedicated Gymnastics Training Centre, a Banquet Hall with a 500 seat capacity, a 243 metre indoor walking track, and the Willoughby Community Centre, including a fitness facility, outdoor playground and various grass and turf fields.
History
The Langley Events Centre, the largest sports and recreation project in Langley's history to date, opened its doors after more than two years of construction. Plans were unveiled on December 18, 2006, for what was then a $45 million multi-use facility. Costs ultimately rose to $56 million, partially funded by the Township, the province, and private builders.[1] The first event hosted at the LEC was the 2009 BC Gymnastics Championships.[2]
Teams
Vancouver Stealth
The National Lacrosse League announced that the Washington Stealth (Everett, Washington, USA) will relocate for the upcoming season. The team will preserve its nickname in the move. Further details will be announced at press conference on July 2, 2013.[3] The Vancouver Ravens were in the NLL from 2002 through 2004 but folded. They played in the downtown General Motors Place.
Langley Rivermen
The LEC is home to British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) team the Langley Rivermen. Founded in 1990 in Chilliwack as the original Chilliwack Chiefs made the Township of Langley their home beginning with the 2006-2007 BCHL season. The Chiefs played their first regular season game at the LEC on September 12, 2009[4] against the Surrey Eagles. One notable alumni of the Chiefs is NHL forward Jeff Tambellini.
Langley Thunder
The LEC hosts two Langley Thunder teams, the Langley Thunder Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) team and the Langley Thunder Junior A Lacrosse (BCLA) team.[5] In 2011, the WLA Langley Thunder hosted the Brampton Excelsiors for the Mann Cup, which Brampton won in five games.
Trinity Western University Athletics
Three divisions of Trinity Western Spartans sports[6] play at the Langley Events Centre: basketball (men's and women's), volleyball (men's and women's), and hockey (men's). The LEC replaced the Spartans' former home, 1500 seat David E. Enarson Gymnasium.[7]
BC Titans
Locally owned and operated minor league professional basketball team the BC Titans[8] of the International Basketball League (IBL) called the LEC home from 2009-2010. Although the Titans had a commitment to showcasing B.C. and Canadian players, team management opted not to participate in the IBL for the 2011 season.[9]
Notable events
- 2009 BC Artistic Gymnastics Provincial Championships
- 2009 BC Trampoline and Tumbling Provincial Championships
- 2009 Langley District Secondary School Graduation Ceremonies
- 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Winter Olympics Torch Relay Community Celebration site
- 2010 Women’s Hockey pre-Olympic exhibition game, Russia vs Slovakia
- 2010 Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL), 6 regular season home games
- 2010 BC High School Boys ‘A’ Basketball Provincial Championships
- 2010 BC Intercollegiate Men’s Hockey Provincial Championships
- 2010 BC Artistic Gymnastics Provincial Championships
- 2011 BC Boys AAA Basketball Championships
- 2011 Mann Cup (Langley Thunder vs. Brampton Excelsiors)
- 2011 World Junior 'A' Challenge
- 2012 World Financial Group Continental Cup (curling)
- 2012 Telus Junior Girls BC Basketball Championships
- 2012 BC Boys AAA Basketball Championships
- 2012 BC Conservative Party Annual General Meeting
- 2012 NLL Pre-Season Calgary Roughnecks vs Colorado Mammoth
- 2012 U23 Pan American Men's Volleyball Cup
- 2013 Special Olympics BC Provincial Summer Games Opening Ceremony
- 2013 NORCECA Men's Volleyball Continental Cup
Other notes
The LEC is home to a number of groups and organizations, including Langley Tourism, MLA Rich Coleman's offices, and the Langley Sports Medicine Clinic.
References
External links
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