Centre Videotron - Quebec Remparts
- Andrew Kulyk
- 3d
- 6 min read
Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
Centre Videotron
250-B Boul. Wilfrid-Hamel
Québec City, QC G1L 5A7
Canada
Year Opened: 2015
Capacity: 18,259
What if you Built it and They Didn't Come?
If you want to immerse yourself in hockey history, satiate yourself in a region and market where some of the greatest players who ever played the sport lived, grew up here, made moments happen here, then you’ve come to the right place.
Centre Videotron opened in 2015, replacing the historic and old Le Colisee, the vacant hulk of which still stands next door, awaiting likely demolition. Yes, Le Colisee was home to an NHL team, the Quebec Nordiques, which folded into the league from the old WHA. They provided this hockey-crazed community with some incredible moments throughout the 1980s and 1990s, until they were brutally ripped away and relocated to Denver, Colorado. To add to the pain, the Colorado Avalanche then won the Stanley Cup in their first season after moving from Quebec City.
So, returning to Quebec City were the QMJHL Remparts, starting play in 1997 at Le Colisee. The “old” Remparts played here from 1969 to 1984 before running into financial problems and folding.
And then, in the mold of “If you build it, they will come”, Quebec invested in building a new, NHL- ready arena. Bold isn’t the word. This is a grand arena that not only swamps its peer venues in the Q for its stunning design, architecture, size, modern amenities, and fan-friendly spaces, but put this building into the NHL tomorrow, and it immediately rockets to a top six venue in that league.
Food & Beverage 4
There are ample concession stands throughout the concourses here, bright, welcoming, and easy to access. But the food choices are pretty basic, and we can assume that if this facility were to ever get a major league tenant, the food experience would really step up.
A sampling… Poutine ($10.25) topped with meat ($15.50). Vegan burger ($11.25), Cheeseburger ($10.75), Burger ($9.75), Chicken sandwich ($9.75), Hot dog ($5.00), Pizza ($10.00), Popcorn ($7.25), Chicken nuggets ($8.50), Fries ($5.25). Pepsi products and water run a reasonable $4.25. The one specialty item on the concession fare here is Yuzu sushi, with prices running from $10.75 to $27.25, depending on selection and number of pieces.
An in-arena restaurant named Blaxton is open for pregame casual dining, and even on non-event days, the facility is open for lunch and dinner. They do take reservations. The menu is American dining with full liquor, beer, and wine list.
Right near the arena’s main entrance is a popular gathering spot named Club Bud, pretty much a beer hall with some food items. The venue stays open late on game nights for postgame libations.
Atmosphere 5
The experience begins before you set foot into the arena. Just the approach, and it all screams “big league”, this impressive structure bathed in a warm night glow. There are large public spaces outside the venue. Right next door is an old, smaller arena and event space named after hockey icon Guy Lafleur.
Step into the main entrance, and you walk into a large pavilion. It is a treasure trove of LED lights, huge marquees, walls, and pillars adorned in murals of hockey greats and hockey moments, a large team merchandise store, and banks of escalators to whisk you up to the main concourse. The concourses all have a view of the playing surface, the four-sided scoreboard and accompanying ribbon boards are all big league, everything bright, roomy, spacious, a seating bowl meant to impress for its size and design and structure.
Then there are the rafters. Montreal and the Bell Centre are widely regarded as the gold standard in terms of their impressive array of championships over the decades, and their retired numbers showcase the absolute gods of hockey. But here in Quebec City, they say, “not so fast”. Their history is so wonderfully laid out here, going to two Stanley Cup championships with the Quebec Bulldogs, before there was an NHL. The NHL Nordiques, their great names, and even their one Avco Cup championship in the old WHA, are on display here.
Then the names, oh my, the names of the players and contributors to the Quebec Remparts. Guy LaFleur… Jean Beliveau. Chills.
Neighborhood 4
We are not talking about a downtown arena here, but one that is just north of their downtown core, easily accessible via highway and bus service. The arena itself is surrounded by surface parking, but also spills nicely into adjacent residential neighborhoods and small commercial districts, and directly across Autoroute Laurentienne is a pretty large shopping mall, not only offering alternate parking but also a great place to grab a bite.
No trip to Quebec is complete without a visit to the city itself, an area steeped with great architecture, an Old Town which holds its weight compared to any peer European city, the iconic Chateau Frontenac, overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway, and must visit. The Plains of Abraham and the Citadelle are also a great bucket list visit for fans of history.
Fans 5
This fan base is almost shouting out loud, “We deserve to be in the NHL!” Is anyone listening?
They consistently rank in the top attendances, not only in the Q, but the entire Canadian Hockey League, and that includes markets in Edmonton and Calgary. They draw 9,000 to 10,000 fans a night consistently, and on big events, even open up sections of the upper concourse and balcony. The place is noisy, fans are engaged in the action, community pride is visible and palpable. This is about as good as a “big league” experience you will enjoy, outside of the big leagues.
Access 5
Ample surface parking is available adjacent to the arena for about 4500 cars, with a cost of $8 per vehicle. Additionally, there are four fan shuttles that offer round trip service to and from the arena on game nights. The Reseau du Transport de La Capitale provides more information on timetables. A bus fare will run $4.00, cash only; they aren’t up yet on apps or cashless payment systems on the buses.
Return on Investment 5
Single ticket prices range from $21-$25, with discounts offered to seniors ($19), students ($14), and children 6-12 ($10). Children up to 5 years old are admitted for free. Because this is an NHL-ready facility, with premium seating infrastructure, the Remparts offer several corporate suite and club seating options. The most accessible one for a single ticket buyer is the Loft Beneva, a sideline club which includes a hot and cold buffet, desserts, coffee and non-alcoholic beverages. Minimum 4 tickets per purchase at $420.
Extras 4
Not mentioned yet, but certainly a great extra, in fact THE extra, is the decidedly French culture in not only the city, but here at the Videotron Centre. This here is not the bilingual vibe of Montreal or Ottawa. The anthem all in French. The game is day presentation is all in French. Do not assume that the concession worker or elevator operator will understand even a lick of English. It is this element of the night here that makes it so special and unique to the hockey visitor experience.
So, if you don’t know any French, then pick up some phrases! Pay close attention to the PA announcer and match the words to the graphics. Take in the many historical plaques in the concourses and discern what they are telling you. Most importantly, try speaking a few French phrases when greeting the employees, when ordering food and beverages. The locals appreciate just your attempt to embrace their culture and language and will respond in kind.
Final Thoughts
We have a National Hockey League that is so focused on markets such as Phoenix and Atlanta, which are failed hockey experiments, but provide robust TV households and corporate headquarters, which goose up their financial bottom line.
Yet Quebec waits. They have ownership interests here that are ready to step up. They have a fan base that would immediately snap up every available season ticket and most likely generate a waiting list. In the meantime, go. Go see the Remparts. Go explore Quebec City. If you are a hockey fan, you will feel it everywhere.
(All prices listed here are in Canadian dollars)
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