The Abbotsford Centre, formerly Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, is a 7,000-seat multi-purpose

arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The arena was expected to cost $64.7 million. Construction began on September 24, 2007. As of 2023, it is the home of the

Abbotsford Canucks The Abbotsford Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and members of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team began play in the 2021–22 season with home games at Abbotsford Centre as the AHL affilia ...

of the

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the le ...

(AHL) after previously hosting AHL's

Abbotsford Heat The Abbotsford Heat were a professional ice hockey team that played five seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) between 2009 and 2014. The team was based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, and played its home games at the 7,046-seat A ...

from 2009 to 2014.

History

On September 25, 2006, Abbotsford council voted unanimously to hold a

referendum A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...

asking voters to borrow $85 million to fund three community projects, including a new entertainment and sports centre. The arena was approved by Abbotsford voters on November 25, 2006, with a 54.8% majority. With the loss of the Heat, Abbotsford Centre announced it would start a recreational ice hockey league to help fill open dates left at the arena. Each team in the Abbotsford Centre Hockey League is to play 20 games per team during the 2014-15 hockey season. On May 2, 2018, the Canadian Elite Basketball League announced that the Fraser Valley Bandits would be coming to the Abbotsford Centre in 2019, with the basketball season to be from May to August. On September 23, 2021 – The Fraser Valley Bandits announced that the club has chosen the

Langley Events Centre The Langley Events Centre is a multipurpose facility in the Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada. The LEC debuted in April 2009, hosting the 2009 BC Gymnastics Championships. It boasts an arena bowl with a 5,276 capacity for sports, in ...

(LEC) in Langley, BC as its home for the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, which begins May 2022. On May 6, 2021, the

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

were approved to relocate their AHL affiliate to the Abbotsford Centre for the 2021–22 season, where the team became the

Arena amenities

The arena has a capacity of 7,000 seats for hockey with room for expansion to 8,500. There are 300 club seats, 15 boxes, 20 private suites, and 2 party suites.City of Abbotsford (March 29, 2007).
Award Construction Contract for Plan "A" Projects
'. Retrieved on April 11, 2007.

References

External links

Abbotsford Centre
{{Authority control Abbotsford Canucks Abbotsford Heat Buildings and structures in Abbotsford, British Columbia Indoor arenas in British Columbia Indoor ice hockey venues in Canada Sports venues in British Columbia Legends Football League venues 2009 establishments in British Columbia Sports venues completed in 2009