Cottage Country Colts

Official Review by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

On the doorstep of the Muskokas, and on the banks of Lake Simcoe, sits Barrie, Ontairo. Barrie is located just on the outskirts of Ontario's famed Cottage Country, a short drive north of Toronto. A growing city, Barrie's successful history with Junior B hockey warranted the OHL to grant them an expansion franchise. In 1995, the Barrie Colts moved from a Junior B franchise, to the OHL and Major Junior A Hockey.

When Barrie was granted an OHL franchise, the City of Barrie rushed to put together an arena appropriate for the OHL. Unbelievably, the Barrie Molson Centre was completed in just one calendar year, opening on December 31st, 1995. It was the first new arena that the OHL had seen in a very long time and was the base of what other franchises would look to in future arena construction.

In 2006, the Colts were sold to local entrepreneur Howie Campbell. They have remained moderately successful, missing the playoffs only in 2011 during his tenure as owner. The Colts have never seemed to produce that big-time NHL star, but continue to be a fairly strong draw with a solid on-ice product, and an NHL Legend behind the bench ... Dale Hawerchuck.

Food & Beverage    3

The food options at the Barrie Molson Centre are pretty ordinary. Hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, nachos and peanuts are all available at most concession stands. Prices are okay, but not great. Hot dogs run $4.25 while a sausage runs $4.75. Popcorn can be had for $4.50 and nachos are $5. Beers on tap include Molson Export, Molson Canadian and Coors Light. A large is $12.50 and a small is $5.50.

The only really cool things food-wise at the BMC are the Pizza Pizza stand, where you can see the actual pizza made (many junior hockey rinks have it delivered) and the Colt Coffee Company. At the CCC, you can get a small coffee for $1.50 or a large for $2. What makes it unique, is the ability to get a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream in your coffee. A Bailey's and coffee will run you $6.50. The seating bowl at the BMC is licensed, so you can bring your drink with you when you see the game.

Atmosphere    3

In many ways, the atmosphere at the Horsepower Grill is better than the atmosphere at the BMC. Actually, the Horsepower Grill is part of the atmosphere at the BMC. The north end of the seating bowl is part of the restaurant attached to the arena. The seating for the Horsepower goes right out into the arena, and the wait-staff will serve you right out in the arena. More on the Horsepower Grill below.

There are a couple of unique factors at the BMC. Probably the most unique is the idea of having the luxury boxes at ice level. The boxes are actually the closest to the action, right up against the glass. In the seating bowl there are a few banners that commemorate various division championships as well as the 2000 OHL Championship banner. A unique feature at the BMC are the adjustable boards that show the current 100 point season players for the Colts, as well as the top scorers in franchise history. The four-sided scoreboard has a small video screen and is adequate, but not great.

Neighborhood    3

The immediate neighbourhood surrounding the BMC is going through a bit of a rejuvenation. There is a ton of construction going on so what it will look like in the future is a bit of a mystery. Currently there is a Milestone's Grill and Bar across the road. This chain always has good food and a little nicer, more refined atmosphere.

If you are looking for something a little more in line with the hockey crowd, then park the car early and get a seat in the Horsepower Sports Bar and Grill. Built right into the BMC, this restaurant features your typical sports bar atmosphere with a twist ... its decor is entirely focused on the Barrie Colts. If you book far enough in advance, you could see the game at one of the tables that looks right out over the ice surface.

One of the great things about this area, is the ability to combine a Colts game with a couple of other activities. Georgian Downs is not far from the BMC, and is your stop if you are interested in horse racing (harness) or if you are interested in pulling a few one-armed bandits.

Even better, you are on the cusp of the great Ontario wilderness in Barrie. Although the beach and cottage country probably won't interest you during hockey season, you are in Ontario's ski country. Just outside of Barrie is Horseshoe Valley Resort, and a little further north is Mount St. Louis-Moonstone. Both are good spots to hit the slopes. It's not the Rockies, but it's pretty decent skiing for us amateurs.

Fans    2

The Colts usually average between 3,400 and 3,800 fans per season. This puts them right in the middle of the OHL as far as attendance is concerned. This is pretty good considering the close proximity of Barrie to Toronto, and all of its sports and entertainment options. What is odd about Barrie, is that at times it seems as though you are watching a hockey game inside of a library. It is so quiet in the BMC that you almost feel as if you are going to be shushed for having a conversation with your neighbour. The crowd will cheer for a short time when the Colts score a goal, but that's about it. Not overly exciting.

Access    4

Getting to the BMC is very easy. It is located just right off of the 400, which is the main highway heading north out of Toronto. It is easy to get to now, however with traffic patterns changing and increasing due to the large construction surrounding the area, it may not always be like this. There is plenty of FREE parking surrounding the BMC, so be happy to put your wallet away when it is time to park.

The only thing that keeps the Barrie Molson Centre from scoring a perfect 5 is the narrow concourses that surround the seating bowl. Some of the locals think that this was due to the rapid nature of construction for the centre. Either way, it is pretty squashed when intermission time hits. Washrooms are actually on the seating bowl side of the concourse, rather than the outer wall side. They are fairly small, so if you've gotta go, you might want to leave before intermission.

Return on Investment    4

Tickets for the Colts range from just over $18 to just over $21, which is just about right for the OHL. Parking is free and concession prices are all right. This allows you to take in a Colts game with the family for a decent price, that won't kill you. Seeing the Colts and the OHL is well worth the investment, however if you are looking for that rabid fan experience, you will want to look elsewhere.

Extras    2

An extra point for the Cha-Cha Slide vignette played on the video board featuring Colts players. It's a lot of fun!

An extra point for the awesome job the Colts did of representing the Canadian Military during the Remembrance Day ceremony. Bringing in Canadian Forces members from nearby CFB Borden, and playing the bagpipes as part of the ceremony were excellent. Being in, or near a military town during Remembrance Day is always a treat.

Final Thoughts

OHL hockey is well represented in Barrie, and the Colts are still going strong well over 15 years after their inception. It's a good place to catch the game, and a fun time for the family at a decent price. If you are a skier, and looking for something to do after a day of hitting the slopes, then the Colts are a good idea.