Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Cortellucci Rink at Innisfil Recreation Complex
7315 Yonge Street
Innisfil, ON L9S 2M6
Year Opened: 2008
Capacity: 1,000
This Is Sparta
One of the newest teams in Ontario’s Junior C level Provincial Junior Hockey League is the Innisfil Spartans. Innisfil is a town on the shores of Lake Simcoe, south of Barrie. From 2007 to 2010, Innisfil was the home to the Junior A Innisfil Lakers, who played in the rogue GMHL. Their folding left a void in the hockey landscape in Innisfil for a decade until founder George Floros became determined to bring hockey back to Innisfil. The Spartans were founded in 2022 and at the time of writing were playing in their third season on the Junior C circuit.
Home for the Spartans is the Cortellucci Rink @ Innisfil Recreational Complex. Opened in 2008, the complex is owned by the Town of Innisfil and acts as a hub for the community with a pair of ice rinks, swimming pool, YMCA fitness facilities, a pair of gymnasiums and outdoor sports fields. The Cortellucci Rink is the larger of the two with a fan capacity of 1,000. Naming rights are held by the Cortellucci Family, who are local real estate developers.
Food & Beverage 3
The Innisfil Recreational Complex has a surprisingly robust set of concession options. The main concession stand is found in the lobby and serves the entire complex. The menu includes hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, fries, poutine, chicken burgers, mozzarella sticks, popcorn, pogos, nachos, butter tarts, candy and Jamaican Patties. Beverages include Pepsi products, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Gatorade, water and slushies. Alcoholic beverages are not available at the complex.
Atmosphere 3
The Innisfil Recreational Complex features a smart looking, modern exterior with light coloured, corrugated siding and large windows. Fans will enter the complex to a large, bright, smart looking lobby. The long lobby connects all aspects of the complex from the two rinks to the aquatics centre. The Cortellucci Rink is the furthest south and features a light exterior with lights strung across the hall.
Inside the Cortellucci Rink, also known as the Red Rink, fans will find a bright, modern rink which provides a comfortable setting and comfortable temperature, not normal for rinks at this level. The ice surface runs from east to west with the centre logo best seen from the north side. The south side of the rink has four rows of red and grey, plastic, arena seats, while the north side features eight rows. The lowest row is slightly elevated above the ice level. With the short history of the Spartans and Innisfil Lakers banners are limited to a few youth hockey championships hung on the west wall. A simple scoreboard hangs on the east wall. Fans should choose their seat wisely as there are some obstructed views on the north side due to the tunnels from the dressing rooms and the netting that surrounds the ice surface. This will not be an issue as there is plenty of selection and tickets are General Admission.
The gameday production at a Spartans game is very simple, however the team does lean into the Spartan theme. Around the logo at centre ice is the Greek quote “H Tam H Eni Tas” which translates to “Either with it or on it” meaning that soldiers will either win the battle or die in battle and return home carried on their shield. The “This Is Sparta” quote from the movie “300” signals the beginning of warmups and the PA announcer ends each announcement with a distinct and enthusiastic “Arrumpf!” The PA system is clear and it is not difficult for fans to understand the announcements being made.
Neighbourhood 3
Innisfil is a community south of Barrie and on the shores of Lake Simcoe. However, the Innisfil Recreational Complex is west of the town proper, in a fairly rural area, in the community of Barclay. There are some spots for pre or post game meals in Innisfil, but they will definitely require hopping in the car to get there. A number of national chain restaurants can be found in Innisfil and the surrounding area as well as a few Loyola options. Some of those include Nonna’s Cucina, Fork and Plate, and Taste of the Grille.
There aren’t really any other sporting options in Innisfil itself other than Georgian Downs Raceway and Sunset Speedway. The City of Barrie is very close and the Barrie Colts of the OHL are definitely another option. The Barrie Baycats play baseball north of Barrie in Minesing, but their schedule will not coincide with that of the Spartans. Other tourist options include Gateway Casino, numerous parks and walking trails as well Innisfil Beach on Lake Simcoe. Tanger Outlets is also in Innisfil and is a good shopping destination. For fans wishing to stay in the area, heading north to Barrie is the best option.
Fans 2
Assessing fan support in the PJHL is difficult as some teams do not publish attendance figures and the league does not congregate and publish attendance data. That being said the Innisfil Spartans averaged over 190 fans for their inaugural season and over 170 fans the following season in 2023-24. At the time of writing the Spartans had not reported any attendance figures that season. The crowd in attendance at the game reviewed was pretty much a friends and family crowd that was laid back and pretty quiet throughout the game. There is definitely room for improvement here.
Access 4
The Innisfil Recreational Complex is located west of the Town of Innisfil, in a small community of Barclay. Getting to the arena is not difficult at all. Just a 6 km drive east from Highway 400 will get fans there. It is also 10 km north of Highway 89. There is plenty of free parking on site. Public transit options are a little difficult with a lone GO Transit bus stop just outside the complex. It is doubtful that this would be an appropriate mode of transit to coincide with a Spartans game. Interested fans should check the GO Transit website for schedules, maps and fares.
Inside the complex it is spacious and very easy to get around, as well as in Cortellucci Rink. The raised floor offers plenty of space for those who have mobility challenges to see. The washroom facilities are more than adequate for this facility.
Return on Investment 4
PJHL hockey and the Innisfil Spartans offer a solid return on investment. Tickets for the Spartans are just $10 with students and seniors going for $8 and children for $6. Parking is free and the concession prices are what one would expect. The product on the ice is decent and Cortellucci Rink is one of the most comfortable Junior C rinks out there.
Extras 2
An extra mark for the Innisfil Recreational Complex acting as a hub for the community with the Cortellucci Rink along with other sporting and community facilities on site.
An extra mark for the team embracing the Spartan theme adding a few extra touches but not going over the top or too far.
Final Thoughts
Time will tell what the long term situation of the Innisfil Spartans will end up being. Hopefully the community of Innisfil will embrace the team and attendance will grow. They have a lot going for them in their facility, the Cortellucci Rink @ Innisfil Recreational Complex. This is Sparta!
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