Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Kinsmen Arena @ Fort Erie Leisureplex
3 Municipal Centre Drive
Fort Erie, ON L2A 2S6
Year Opened: 1996
Capacity: 1,600
Fort Erie Family Affair
Fort Erie, Ontario is probably best known for being that Canadian town on the opposite side of the border from Buffalo, New York. Fort Erie has a population of almost 31,000 and is the closest Canadian point to the Buffalo Sabres, however, it has a decent hockey tradition of its own. Fort Erie is currently the home of the Meteors of the Junior B level Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The franchise was founded in 1957 as the Frontiers with a branded period as the Autos before becoming the Meteors in 1971. Boasting alumni including former NHL players Randy Burridge, Stan Drulia, Jarrod Skalde, and Andre Deveaux, the Meteors are a real family business. Former owner Tony Passero passed away in 2019, leaving the team to his family. Meaghan Passero is the current owner and Nik and Anthony Passero are the coaches and General Manager.
Home for the Meteors is the Fort Erie Leisureplex. Built in 1996, the Leisureplex features the Kinsmen Arena, a main ice pad with seating for 1,600 and home of the Meteors as well as a second ice pad, banquet halls, and the Fort Erie Sports Gallery and Research Centre.
Food & Beverage 3
The concession stand is accessed from the meeting room between the two rinks. The menu includes the expected arena concession items including burgers, onion rings, hot dogs, chicken burgers, and fries. Soft drinks include Coca-Cola products, Gatorade, Chocolate milk, water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The game reviewed was the school day game and the Meteors welcomed a capacity crowd full of elementary school children. Due to this, the concession lines were massive and it did not seem that there were alcohol sales. It is assumed that the Meteors do have a Blueline Club-type area where alcohol is normally sold for regular games.
Atmosphere 4
The Fort Erie Leisureplex is an attractive facility from the exterior. The main entry is from the northeast corner and features light brown brick with large tinted windows with pillars and a covered entry. There are a pair of ponds to the northeast with benches around them and a few memorials including the Angel of Peace and a memorial to workers who have died on the job. This natural area is central to the Leisureplex and Fort Erie Town Hall, which is adjacent to the arena.
Entering the Leisureplex brings fans into a large atrium, perfect for meeting friends before the game. To the left is the Sports Gallery and Research Centre which appears to be open by appointment only. A large staircase will have fans ascend to the main box office and Kinsmen Arena entry.
The landing at the top of the stairs offers access to the meeting room and windows to view both ice pads. The landing also has a couple of arcade games and bubble hockey. A trophy case can also be found on the landing, with Meteor artifacts specifically trumpeting the team’s 2024 Golden Horseshoe Conference Championship, the final one before the GOJHL reorganized. Inside Kinsmen Arena, the ice is Olympic-sized and oriented from northeast to southwest, with the best point for a centre ice logo picture from the southeast.
The seating bowl consists of six rows of plastic, maroon arena seats with plenty of space behind for standing room and to maneuver around the arena. The northwest wall features painted visages of the greatest Fort Erie Athletes to give the rink a classic feel. The northeast end features members of the Fort Erie Sports Wall of Fame, which includes the likes of Pierre Pilote and Randy Burridge.
The gameday production at a Fort Erie Meteors game is akin to most other GOJHL games. The teams are led to the ice by kids toting Meteors flags. There is a Meteors mascot who is not employed by the team, but a fan who created a homemade outfit. The PA announcer is good, however, the sound system does have some dead spots within the arena making announcements difficult to understand at times. With the game being reviewed being the school day game, there are probably other promotions for regular games that did not apply to this particular game.
Neighbourhood 3
The Fort Erie Leisureplex is located in the Crescent Park neighborhood of Fort Erie. There are a few spots for pre and post game food and drink that are close by. Some choices include Green Acres Family Restaurant, Take 2 Restaurant and Bar, The Barrel, and The Plaice Bar and Grill. The Meteors are pretty much the only game in town, however there are other options that are close by.
The region has other GOJHL teams including the Welland Jr. Canadians, Pelham Panthers and Port Colborne Sailors. The Junior A Niagara Falls Canucks and Buffalo Jr. Sabres are also in the area. The Buffalo Bills and Sabres are also just on the other side of the bridge. Other tourist options include the Fort Erie Racetrack. For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Comfort Inn and Knights Inn are not far.
Fans 3
At the time of writing, the Fort Erie Meteors averaged over 370 fans per game in the 2024-25 season. That ranked them 14th in the GOJHL. The previous season the Meteors averaged over 500 fans which ranked them 8th. A normal game will probably find closer to 300 fans in the stands as the sold out school day game can skew the results a bit.
Access 4
The Fort Erie Leisureplex is located in the Crescent Park neighbourhood of Fort Erie. It is south of Garrison Road on Municipal Centre Drive. It is 2 km south of the Queen Elizabeth Way and west of the Peace Bridge. Getting to the arena is not difficult and there is plenty of parking on site. There is very limited public transit in the area and there are bus stops on Municipal Centre Drive.
Fans should consult the Niagara Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. Even with a full house during the School Day game, getting around the arena is not terribly difficult, although the staircase to get to the Kinsmen Arena may require fans with mobility issues to look for the elevator. The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility.
Return on Investment 5
Fort Erie Meteors hockey offers tremendous value for the sporting dollar. Meteors tickets are just $10. Parking is free and concession prices are not too steep. The product on the ice is solid and the arena is comfortable and provides a great atmosphere for hockey. Overall, the Meteors put together an experience that will not cost much and offers fun for the whole family.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the Fort Erie Meteors remaining a family business in the good hands of the Passero family.
An extra mark for the Meteors as the only game in town.
An extra mark for an excellent experience at the annual School Day Game.
Final Thoughts
The Fort Erie Meteors have been a family run business for years, from the time Tony Passero ran the team, to present day when his family continues the tradition. The Kinsmen Arena @ Fort Erie Leisureplex offers a great atmosphere for Junior B hockey and taking in a Meteors game will give fans a great experience for a small investment.
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