12/09/2025
Where do we rank? Are we 7th oldest or 2nd oldest?
Did you know that The St. Bon’s Forum is one of the oldest operating indoor ice rinks in the entire world?
That’s right — our beloved Forum opened on January 23, 1923, and it has been hosting hockey, skating, and community events for more than 100 years.
But here’s the big question…
Where does St. Bon’s actually rank among the world’s oldest rinks?
Based on opening dates alone, the list looks like this:
1. Matthews Arena – Boston, USA
Opened: April 16, 1910
Note: Oldest but not continuously
2. Calumet Colosseum – Michigan, USA
Opened: January 6, 1914
Note: Oldest continuously operating
3. Galt Arena Gardens – Cambridge, Canada
Opened: January 1922
Note: claim to be “world’s oldest"
4. Eveleth Hippodrome – Minnesota, USA
Opened: January 1, 1922
Note: long term community rink
5. Sage Rink – Clinton, New York, USA
Opened: January 13, 1922
Note: Home to Hamilton College
6. Hobey Baker Memorial – Princeton, USA
Opened: January 5, 1923
Note: Only 18 days older than us
**7. St. Bon’s Forum – St. John’s, NL Canada
Opened: January 23, 1923
Note: No place like it anywhere
8. Yost Ice Arena – Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Opened: November 10, 1923
Note: University of Michigan
9. William Allman Memorial Arena – Stratford
Opened: December 15, 1924
Note: A classic heritage community rink
10. Varsity Arena – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Opened: December 17, 1926
Note: University of Toronto.
So officially, that makes us #7 in the world.
But here’s where things get interesting…
When you apply historical criteria used by arena researchers like we soar to as high as #2. Consider these filters:
• community use/public access
• continuous operation
• purpose-built design
• minimal reconstruction, and
• uninterrupted community use
With each filter our ranking improves
Ranking Type St. Bon’s Rank
Strict opening date only #7
Excluding university-only rinks #5
Continuous operation filter #3
Heritage structure integrity #3
Community-use heritage ranking #2
St. Bon’s Forum rises all the way up to #2 in the world.
Yes… #2 in the world.
Only Calumet might be older under the strictest heritage rules.
So….
What do YOU think? Are we #7… or are we #2?
Tell us in the comments — and share any memories, photos, or stories you have of the Forum.
Your input will help us build an accurate community-driven history of this remarkable place. And please if we missed a rink in this ranking please let us know.
👇 Are we #7 or #2? What do you think? Comment below!
