Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre
61 Maria St
Penetanguishene, ON L9M 2G2
Year Opened: 1954
Capacity: 700
Kings of the Bay
Tucked into a southeast inlet on Georgian Bay sits the town of Penetanguishene, Ontario. A small town of under 9,000, Penetang, as it is commonly referred, is generally known as a summertime destination with the marinas and beaches, while winters can be quite harsh with the effects of Lake Huron playing havoc with residents. However, the hockey tradition in Penetang is strong. The Junior C level Penetang Kings have been on the ice since 1977 and have enjoyed tremendous success. Before the Kings, the Penetang Hurons played for two seasons before folding in 1975. The Kings were a powerhouse in the 1980s and were led by future NHL player Brian McReynolds, who might just be Penetang’s most favoured hockey son. The Kings have won nine league titles and finished with three Schmalz Cup Championships as the top Junior C team in Ontario. The Kings currently play in the Carruthers Division of the PJHL.
Home for the Penetang Kings is the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre. Built in 1954 as the Penetanguishene Arena, the town-owned Community Centre enjoyed a large renovation which added other amenities as well as a lobby and the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame. The town of Penetanguishene is in the process of approving a replacement facility. Currently earmarked for a 2033 opening, there is still time to check out this classic hockey barn.
Food & Beverage 3
The lobby of the Community Centre houses the main concession stand. The menu includes the typical arena fare including hot dogs, onion rings, chicken fingers, fries, and burgers. Some more unique items include peameal bacon sandwiches, grilled cheese, fried egg sandwiches and soup. Soda, Powerade, slushies, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are the beverage options. The Community Centre did not appear to have alcohol sales or a typical Blueline Club, which is common at this level of hockey.
Atmosphere 3
The Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre is clearly an old hockey barn that has been given an addition to modernize it. The main entry for the Community Centre is at the southwest corner near Maria Street. The exterior is attractive enough with light brick with blue siding above. The rest of the building has the expected barn-like look to it with even more blue siding. Inside the Community Centre fans immediately stumble upon one of the highlights of the facility, the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame. Part museum and part Hall of Fame, there are plenty of artifacts to go along with the entries for the enshrined members. Fans will find such local products as Brian McReynolds, Kris Kontos and Andre Benoit. Canadian Olympic Silver Medalist Figure Skater Brian Orser is also an enshrined member, remembered for the “Battle of the Brians” at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Fans can also purchase histories of the Penetang Kings in the Hall of Fame. The lobby for the arena is where the concession stand is found and has some windows looking on to the ice.
Inside the arena, fans are immediately struck with that “Old-School Hockey Barn” vibe. The ice is east-west oriented. The roof is supported by huge, wooden support beams that meet at a high, sharp, point. The lobby is at the west end and there is an upper level. This seemed to be used for operations and not a Blueline Club as with many other arenas at this level. The scoreclock is found at the east end and there are plenty of minor hockey banners hanging around the arena. The speakers hang above centre ice, where a scoreboard would normally be. The west side of the speakers is where the three Schmalz Cup championship banners from 1984, 2006 and 2007 hang. Beside those banners is a single banner listing the championships from the former league the Kings played in, the Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League. The arena is also very cold. There are gas heaters above some of the seating, but for the game reviewed, the heaters were not on. The seating consists of four rows of aluminum benches with backrests. The benches are on aluminum platforms, similar to seating that would be found at a small football stadium. Unfortunately, this is not the best selection for building materials in an arena. The coldness is magnified as not only do the benches make the fan cold, but the aluminum flooring also does the same thing. A blanket is not just a good idea in this arena, it is a necessity!
The gameday production at a Kings game is not unlike most other Junior C experiences. The game starts off with minor hockey kids skating on the ice with flags. Promotions include a 50/50 raffle. A printed program is also free for fans. The PA system is decent and the announcer does a good job.
Neighbourhood 3
Penetanguishene is a small town of the South Basin of Georgian Bay. There are a few options for pre or post game food and drink. Some options include World Famous Dock Lunch, Phil’s Family Restaurant, Captain Ken’s and Northern Caribbean. The Kings are really the only sporting option in Penetang, but they have a pretty solid rivalry with the Midland Flyers, which is just 5 km from arena to arena. Some other tourist options in the area include the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum, Carl Beck House and King’s Wharf Theatre. Penetang also offers plenty of outdoor options, which would be better enjoyed at the very beginning of the season rather than in the dead of winter. For fans who wish to stay in the area, the Hampton Inn Midland is an option or checking out some B&B options may work also.
Fans 4
Assessing fans in the PJHL can be difficult. Many teams do not report attendance figures and the league does not publish compiled statistics. That being said, the Penetang Kings appear to enjoy decent support for Junior C hockey. At the time of writing, the Kings averaged 243 fans per game. The previous season, 2023-24, the Kings averaged over 280 fans. The fans in attendance for the game reviewed were not terribly loud and typical of Ontario fans.
Access 4
Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre is located in Penetang, on the South Basin of Georgian Bay. It is located at Maria Street and Thompsons Road, a block east of Main, the main road from Midland, 7 km from Highway 12. Getting to the arena is not difficult, however, fans are encouraged to check the weather before heading out as winter driving near the lake can be treacherous at times. There is plenty of free parking on site. There is limited transit in Penetanguishene with a stop on Thompsons Road. However, the schedule may not coincide with Kings games. Fans should consult the LINX Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the arena is not too difficult and washroom facilities are adequate for the arena.
Return on Investment 5
Penetang Kings hockey, like most other PJHL experiences, offers tremendous value for a small investment. Adult tickets for the Kings are $10 with discounts for students, seniors and children. Parking is free and concession prices are decent. The product on the ice is good and the opportunity for fans to see a game in an old-school hockey barn, even if it is a cold one, is a welcome opportunity.
Extras 2
An extra mark for the excellent Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame.
An extra mark for the Kings’ rivalry with the Midland Flyers.
Final Thoughts
Penetanguishene may be a summer town, but checking out the Penetang Kings in the winter is a good experience. Fans should consider checking out the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre while they still can.
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