Hull Arena

For the Canadian ice arena, see Robert Guertin Centre.

Hull Arena
Map
Former namesHumberside Ice Arena
LocationKingston Park
Kingston Street
Hull
HU1 2DZ
England
OwnerHull City Council
OperatorHull Leisure
Capacity2,000 (seated)[1]
3,750 (including floor)[1]
Field size60 × 30 metre
Website
www.hullcc.gov.uk/hullarena

Hull Arena (originally Humberside Ice Arena and known locally as the Hull Ice Arena) is an ice rink, in the city of Kingston upon Hull, England. It offers an Olympic-sized pad of 60 by 30 metres (197 by 98 ft).[2] It is also used for other sports, trade fairs and as a concert venue, for which it has a maximum capacity of 3,750.[1]

History

The building had a protracted development. Three sites were considered during planning phase: Ferensway, the Marina and the Kingston Clinic site on Beverley Road. Budgeted at £2.5 million, it was originally set to be a joint venture between Humberside County and the city of Hull, and the city received a £1 million grant to that effect. In June 1986 however, Humberside asked the city to return to grant in order to finalize the project on its own, with a tentative completion date of November 1987.[3]

The building's ceremonial cornerstone was laid by Queen Elizabeth II.[4][5] It was inaugurated on 14 September 1988 by former Olympic figure skating champion John Curry.[6]

The venue closed in March 2020 for renovations worth £1.5 million, which ended up lasting one year and a half.[7] The ice sheet was redone, while the locker rooms and lavatories were renovated. A new lighting rig consisting of eighty spotlights and a clearer sound system were also installed.[1]

The building is nonetheless viewed as outdated, and a new ice rink is being considered as part of a future real estate development on Albion Street.[8]

A 2021 publication pegged the Arena's yearly attendance, which has varied depending on the caliber of resident ice hockey teams, at 147,000.[7]

Ice sports

Hull Arena has been the home of all ice hockey teams within the city, including the Humberside Seahawks, Hull Thunder, and Hull Stingrays of the BNL, and the Hull Stingrays of the Elite League, The Hull Pirates of the NIHL,[9] The current teams include The Hull Seahawks,[10] of the NIHL and the Hull Jets.[11] of the NIHL North 1

Other events

The Arena hosts boxing events for the Matchroom Boxing promotions stable with Hull boxers Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle amongst those to compete.[12] It was previously used to hold such events in April 1997,[13] March 1998[14] and June 1998[15] with boxers including Paul Ingle, Clinton Woods, Howard Eastman and Scott Harrison competing.

The Arena has also hosted WWF/WWE pro wrestling on multiple occasions, such as the Hart Attack '94, [16] Full Metal '95 and Wrestlemania Revenge 2005 tours.[17]

The 2011 edition of the World Masters darts tournament was played at the arena.[18]

Among music acts who have appeared at the Arena are Arctic Monkeys,[19] Faithless,[20] Kings of Leon,[21] Oasis,[22] Robbie Williams,[23] Ed Sheeran[24] and The Libertines.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Hull Ice Arena (Hull, England)". Mondo Stadia. No. 22. Stockport. February–March 2022. pp. 36–39.
  2. ^ "Hull Ice Arena". National Ice Skating Association. Retrieved 18 October 2008.
  3. ^ "County set to go at it alone over ice rink". The Daily Mail. London. 30 June 1986. p. 3.
  4. ^ "Platinum Jubilee Stories: Opening of Hull Ice Arena". oldhymerians.com. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  5. ^ "1987 – Hull Ice Arena & Indoor Bowls". houlton.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  6. ^ Wigham, Catherine (30 August 2018). "Hull Pirates to celebrate 30 years of ice hockey in Hull with special night at opening game". hulldailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Hull Ice Arena to reopen after £1.5m refurbishment". bbc.com. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  8. ^ Kemp, Dan (13 October 2020). "'Forgotten' Hull Arena left in sorry state as doors remain shut". hulldailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Fixtures and Results – Hull Pirates". Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  10. ^ "Hull Seahawks – NIHL Hockey Team". Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Hull Jets". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  12. ^ "BoxRec: Event". boxrec.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  13. ^ "BoxRec: Event". boxrec.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  14. ^ "BoxRec: Event". boxrec.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  15. ^ "BoxRec: Event". boxrec.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  16. ^ "1994". thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  17. ^ "1995". thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Winmau – Winmau World Masters 2011 – Winmau Dartboard Company". winmau.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  19. ^ Thomas, Helen Meriel (9 March 2018). "We heart Hull: 10 great things the city has given the world". NME. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  20. ^ "Faithless to go on UK arena tour". NME.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  21. ^ "Kings Of Leon announce huge UK tour". NME.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  22. ^ "Oasis rock Hull". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  23. ^ "Robbie Williams". www.robbiewilliams.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  24. ^ "Ed Sheeran Tour Recap: Live at Hull Arena, Hull, UK: 06 November 2012". Ed Sheeran Official Website. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  25. ^ Jones, Craig (24 September 2017). "Pete Doherty puts on a show-stopper as The Libertines rock out Hull Ice Arena". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
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53°44′14″N 0°20′37″W / 53.737300°N 0.343500°W / 53.737300; -0.343500