Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Brampton Memorial Arena
69 Elliott Street
Brampton, ON L6Y 1W2
Year Opened: 1950
Capacity: 1,755
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Excelsior!
Comic book fans would recognize the term “Excelsior!” as one of the catchphrases oft attributed to comic icon, Stan Lee. In the lacrosse world, however, Excelsior is the name of one of the oldest lacrosse clubs in Canada. The Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club was formalized and played their first organized games in 1883.
The name Excelsior came from the title of a poem by Henry W. Longfellow. The current Excelsiors have numerous arms including the Minor Lacrosse organization, Major Series Lacrosse Excelsiors, which is the Senior A level, the Junior B Excelsiors, and the Junior A Excelsiors that play in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League.
The Excelsiors have enjoyed some success earning the Iroquois Trophy as league champions eight times, and the Minto Cup as the National Champions four times. The Excelsiors played as the Brampton ABCs from 1962 to 1967, the Bramalea Excelsiors from 1968 to 1976, and returned to the Brampton Excelsiors from 1977 to the present.
Home for the Excelsiors is the Brampton Memorial Arena. Built in 1950, the Memorial Arena has been retired as a hockey arena and serves the various levels of the Excelsiors as their home base. It has been converted to a true lacrosse venue and is definitely from a time gone by. It was named in honour of the soldiers of World War II who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Due to the age and importance of the arena, it is in the process of attaining a Heritage Designation.
Food & Beverage 2
The main concession area at the Brampton Memorial Arena is found in the main lobby on the northwest side of the arena. The concessions available are typical snack bar style including hot dogs, fries, popcorn, candy, and cookies. Coffee, hot chocolate, tea, water, and sodas are the available beverages. There are also a couple of vending machines around the lobby for patrons.
Atmosphere 4
The Brampton Memorial Arena is a unique facility that has been converted into a dedicated lacrosse facility. Built in 1950, the Memorial Arena is a throwback, but has been kept in good condition and is a great place to watch some junior lacrosse. The exterior of the arena is highlighted by a brown brick lobby, obvious from the outside, in front of a traditional arched, barn-like structure. If the Memorial Arena was still put on ice each year, it would easily fall into the class of “old-school hockey barn.”
The main entrance of the arena is at the northwest end of the building and brings fans right into the main lobby. There is plenty of history to peruse in the lobby. A couple of beautiful, wooden trophy cases house artifacts including team photos of the Excelsiors back to the thirties. Windows that open up the lobby to the playing area, and above those windows all of the accomplishments of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club are chronicled using small banners.
These not only include Junior A accomplishments like the Minto Cups, but Mann Cups won by the Senior A, or Major Excelsiors, Junior B team, and minor lacrosse teams. The entirety of the success the organization has amassed is quite impressive. Entering the main playing area takes fans back in time to a previous era. That old barn feeling in Memorial Arena is prevalent and begins with the hardwood ceiling held by steel arches. The floor runs from northwest to southeast.
There is no centre logo. The playing surface is artificial turf, which is much more desirable than the polished concrete found in many other venues. The old-time feel of the arena continues with the seating bowl which features four rows of wooden “love” seats. The corners offer a different view as there are eight rows of seats, but it is impossible not to be close to the action.
The northwest wall, above the windows, features a plethora of traditional championship banners. Of note for the Junior A Excelsiors are the 1952, 1957, 1958, and 1959 Minto Cup Championship banners as Junior National Champions. A simple hockey-style scoreboard is found at the southeast end of the arena.
The gameday production at an Excelisors game is very simple. The typical promotions, including 50-50 draw is found. The PA system is excellent and announcements are very clear. The simplistic production creates an atmosphere that is pure and not over-produced.
Neighbourhood 3
Brampton Memorial Arena is located in Downtown Brampton in Memorial Park. Several ball diamonds are found on the opposite side of the park and the parking lot is shared with the Brampton Curling Club. Although technically part of Downtown Brampton, Memorial Park is in a prominently residential area.
For pre or post game food or drink, fans will have to hop in the car. Some options that are not far away include Joe’s Pizzeria, Shy Lounge, Magnums, Vesuvio, Fanzorelli’s, Burger Bros, and Tracks Brew Pub.
For other sporting options in the area, the Major or Junior B Excelsiors are options. The OHL will be returning to Brampton in 2024 with the Brampton Steelheads and the Brampton Honey Badgers of the CEBL are also an option. The cities of Toronto and Mississauga are also not far away and expand the sporting options. Other tourist options include the Peel Art Gallery and Downtown Brampton. For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Quality Inn and Courtyard are good options.
Fans 2
It is difficult to assess fan support in the OJLL as attendance figures are not published. The game reviewed was attended by pretty much a “friends and family crowd. The fans in attendance were fairly passive, which is not uncommon for Southern Ontario. During intermissions, kids armed with lacrosse sticks and balls take the floor and play around until they are kicked off when the teams take the floor.
Access 3
Getting to Brampton Memorial Arena is not that challenging. It is located in Downtown Brampton as part of Memorial Park. It is wedged between Elliott St. and McMurchy Ave. It is located 10 km north of Highway 401 and 5 km west of Highway 410, which are major arteries in Southern Ontario.
Patrons, therefore, will have to traverse through some of the city to get to the arena. There is free parking on site that can more than accommodate the expected crowd. For fans interested in taking public transit, some buses run along McMurchy Avenue. Fans should consult the Brampton Transit website for fares, maps, and schedules.
The Memorial Arena was built in 1950 and as a result, it is not the easiest to get around. Of note, there is a lack of legroom in the seating bowl, however, the small attendance will help with that. People with mobility issues may find this arena challenging.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets for the Brampton Excelsiors are $10 each with discounts for certain groups. Parking is free and concessions are not very expensive. The action on the floor is high calibre and exciting, exactly what a fan should expect from the fastest game on two feet. Also, the opportunity to see lacrosse in an environment that is dedicated to the sport complete with turf, and all the history a fan can handle makes the Excelsiors a great experience.
Extras 2
An extra mark for the Brampton Memorial Arena being dedicated to the Excelsiors and lacrosse and not having to double as a hockey rink.
An extra mark for the over 100 years of history of the Brampton Excelsior Lacrosse Club.
Final Thoughts
The Ontario Junior Lacrosse League provides a place for young lacrosse players to hone their craft and prepare for the next level. The Brampton Excelsiors are a cornerstone franchise in the league and have seen plenty of professional lacrosse players come through the Brampton Memorial Arena.
The Memorial Arena is one of the classic arenas around Ontario and brings fans back to a classic time when they made arenas in a different manner than they do today. The opportunity to watch top-notch lacrosse in a classic arena is one to be taken. Excelsior!
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