Honoring Our Heritage
Memorial Market Place
Discover the legacy and community spirit of Memorial Market Place, a cornerstone of our town’s history.
Our Historic Venue
The Memorial Market Place, formerly the Belleville Memorial Arena has been a vital part of our community for decades. Established in the early 20th century, this iconic venue has hosted countless events, from local hockey games to community gatherings. Its rich history is a testament to the enduring spirit of Belleville, serving as a hub for both recreation and remembrance. The arena stands as a tribute to those who have contributed to our community’s vibrant past and continues to be a place where memories are made.
Memorial Market Place Timeline
1920
Property Purchase
Belleville Arena Ltd. purchased a property for $10,000, allocating $6,000 for the city land and $4,000 for other property on the site
1929
Year Built, opens on December 6 as Belleville Arena
1938
Wrestlemania at Memorial Arena
Wrestlemania makes its way to Memorial Arena and becomes a popular crowd-pleaser through to the 70s
1939
Renamed Hume Arena
Sandy Burrows bought Belleville Arena and renamed it Hume Arena
1945
Boxing at Hume Arena
Boxing enters the ring as another form of entertainment at the multi-use community building
1947
Renamed Belleville Memorial Arena
Purchased by city of Belleville & renamed the Belleville Memorial Arena, to recognize the local veterans from WW 1&2
1948
Music at Memorial Arena
Famous American Bands, such as Gene Krupa, Duke Ellington and Tex Beneke, make their debut as Memorial transforms into a grandstand
1948
Bobby Hull
Hockey legend, Bobby Hull “The Golden Jet”, played here until the age of 14
1951
3-Ring Circus comes to town
The Garden Bros. 3-Ring Circus comes to town and for nearly 2 decades welcomes a rotation of troupes, including Clyde Bros. & Hanneford Circus
1953
Dennis Hull
Bobby’s brother, Dennis Hull began his hockey career at Memorial Arena
1956
Home to The Belleville MacFarlands
1958
Canadian National Championship
The Belleville McFarlands hockey team won the Allan Cup, Canadian National Senior Hockey Championship
1959
International Hockey Championship
The McFarlands defeated the Soviet Union in the final match of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, winning the gold medal
2003
Heritage Building
Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act by City of Belleville and remains a capsule of sports history and vital aspect of local culture
2010
Memorial Arena closes its doors to the public
2024
Memorial Arena begins to evolve in its next legacy as Memorial Market Place
Photo Credits:
Images courtesy of the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County.
Content Contribution:
Special thanks to Richard Hughes, local historian and author, for his invaluable contribution to the Memorial Arena timeline.