Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Glanbrook Arena
4300 Binbrook Rd
Binbrook, ON L0R 1C0
Year Opened: 1975
Capacity: 720
The Mystery of Glanbrook
In 2001, amalgamation ballooned the City of Hamilton to include a number of small towns and villages. Glanbrook can be found near the southern border of the current city limits, however, where the borders of Glanbrook can be found is a mystery. The former town of Binbrook is found east of Glanbrook and the mailing address of Glanbrook Arena includes Binbrook as the town, but this only clears the fuzziness up just a bit. Glanbrook is generally viewed as an agricultural area, probably between Mount Hope, another absorbed village into Hamilton, and Binbrook. Former NHL goaltender Don Edwards called Glanbrook home.
Playing in the Bloomfield Division of the PJHL, the Glanbrook Rangers have been around since 1975. They have always been at the Junior C level, starting in the Niagara Junior C Hockey League. The Rangers have seen success including three consecutive Schmalz Cups as the top Junior C team in Ontario. The Glanbrook Arena opened in 1975, the same year the Rangers debuted.
Food & Beverage 2
A small concession stand can be found in the outer lobby. On the day of the review, the screen above the concession stand, assumed to be for the menu, was not working. A simple selection of concessions can be found here including hot dogs, popcorn, chocolate and chips. Coca-cola products, coffee, juice and Powerade are available. A stand inside the inner lobby can be found selling beer, wine and coolers.
Atmosphere 3
Glanbrook Arena has a simple exterior and is kind of inconspicuous, looking more like a school than an arena. Brown brick and blue siding with accents and a low profile height is what fans will find from the outside. Entry into the arena is on the east side and brings fans into a small outer lobby. Concessions are found here along with some local artifacts in a trophy case. Fans then pass into an inner lobby which has large windows on the north side that act as the glass of the south end of the arena. Large wooden trophy cases are found in this room, including one dedicated to the Rangers. A number of old photos and artifacts are found here. This is the perfect room for fans who hope to watch the game in a warmer climate, or spend a little time warming up. The climate change will be evident upon passing through the last set of doors into the main arena. The ice is oriented from south to north with the seating on the east side of the arena. Massive blue, low peak support beams cross over the ice with silver insulation over them. The seating offers nine rows of blue wooden benches on concrete steps. A simple scoreclock is on the north wall along with the three Schmalz Cup Championship banners from 1997, 1998 and 1999. The centre ice logo pic is best seen from the seats on the east side. The arena is definitely cold, so finding a spot under one of the gas heaters that is working is a pretty good plan.
The gameday production at a Rangers game is not unlike what one would find at the majority of the PJHL. Merchandise sales, a 50/50 draw and program raffles are all part of the experience. The PA system in Glanbrook Arena is pretty good and the PA announcer is good, but a little excitable. The louder he gets, the more difficult his announcements are to understand.
Neighbourhood 3
The address for Glanbrook Arena is in Binbrook, but the arena is fairly isolated in an agricultural area. For fans wanting pre or post game food and drink, heading east into Binbrook or north into Hamilton will be necessary. There are a couple of options in Binbrook including Binbrook Grill and Binbrook Pizza. There are also of chain options including Tim Hortons.
For other sporting options, fans will need to head north to Hamilton where there are number of options. The Dundas Blues also play in the PJHL. The Hamilton Kilty B’s play in the GOJHL. Other Hamilton options include the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, McMaster Marauders basketball and football and the Hamilton Cardinals and Forge FC in the summer months. Other tourist options include the nearby Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and Killman Zoo. For fans wishing to stay near the area, there is a Super 8 in the nearby Mount Hope neighbourhood.
Fans 2
It is difficult to assess fans in the PJHL as many teams do not publish attendance figures and the league does not compile the statistics for comparison. The Glanbrook Rangers typically attract around 150 fans per game. At the time of writing, the Rangers were averaging 145 fans per game for the 2024-25 season and there were 150 fans in attendance for the game that was attended. The Glanbrook fans are pretty quiet and it was clear that the fans travelling to see the visiting team were the more vocal group.
Access 4
Getting to Glanbrook Arena is very easy. It is located in Hamilton, south of the traditional city limits, west of the community of Binbrook. It is 6 km east of Highway 6 and is located right on Binbrook Road, which is County Road 65. Getting through Hamilton if coming from north of the city may be the biggest challenge as traffic can be an issue at times. However, for a weekend game in Glanbrook, there should be no issues. There is sufficient free parking on site. For fans interested in public transit, there is very limited HSR service from Hamilton to Binbrook. This may not accommodate Rangers game times. Fans should consult the Hamilton Street Railway website for fares, maps and schedules. The age of the facility should be considered when considering moving around. It is not too difficult, but the stands may be a consideration for those with mobility issues. The washrooms in Glanbrook Arena are small, but the attendance at the game should not make this an issue.
Return on Investment 4
Taking in a Glanbrook Rangers game is definitely affordable. Tickets for the Rangers are $10 with Seniors getting in for $8 and Students get in for $5. Parking is free and the concessions are affordable. The hockey product on the ice is good and gameday atmosphere is simple. In the end the return for the small investment a fan makes is very good.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the Glanbrook Arena as a community hub for the area.
An extra mark for the mysterious borders of Glanbrook within the big city of Hamilton.
An extra mark for the history of the Rangers.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the mystery as to where exactly Granbrook is, taking in a Glanbrook Rangers game is a great way to spend a winter afternoon or evening. Glanbrook Arena is a good facility and fans will definitely enjoy their experience at the game.
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