Pictures by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Gordon Alcott Arena @ Mold-Master SportsPlex
221 Guelph Street
Halton Hills, ON L7G 4A8
Year Opened: 1975
Capacity: 1,156
Raiding Georgetown
In 1975, the Georgetown Gemini was founded as a Junior B team. Bringing hockey back to Georgetown was a priority after the Georgetown Junior C team folded in 1969. The Gemini moved up to the Junior A level in 1993 when the entire league, which would become the Ontario Junior Hockey League, promoted themselves to the Junior A level. Georgetown also adopted the Raiders as their moniker to coincide with their move up. The Raiders name has some meaning in the area as the Junior C team of the 60s was named the Raiders, and a Senior team of the 70s and 80s was also named Raiders. The Raiders claim Jack Hughes among their alumni.
Georgetown is a community in the Town of Halton Hills, located to the west of Brampton. Georgetown is an affluent area of 42,000 people and home to many commuters who work in Toronto or Mississauga.
Home for the Raiders is the Gordon Alcott Arena @ Mold-Masters SportsPlex. The SportsPlex is a massive complex that houses four ice pads as well as meeting rooms and a skatepark outside. The original arena was built in 1975 and has been expanded at least two times. The original arena is named after Gordon Alcott, who was the founder of minor hockey in Georgetown in the 30s.
Food & Beverage 3
The main concession stand is found just outside of Alcott Arena. The menu consists of onion rings, fries, hot dogs, popcorn, and cookies. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex, and Gatorade, water juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and Slush Puppies are also available. There are also several vending machines that offer drinks and snacks around the SportsPlex.
Atmosphere 3
The Mold-Masters SportsPlex is a sports complex that has benefitted from two separate additions. As a result, the different parts of the complex can be seen from the exterior. The more modern side, which is to the north, has light siding with plenty of glass. The portion that joins the oldest and newest parts of the complex features dark brown siding and houses the main entrance.
Upon entering the SportsPlex, fans are immediately struck with the importance of hockey to this community. A row of trophy cases for a variety of hockey levels greets fans. Above those are the portraits of recipients of the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award. One of the trophy cases is dedicated to the Raiders and houses several team awards as well as some team pictures. The Gordon Alcott Arena is to the left and is the home to the Raiders.
A dedication plaque to Gordon Alcott is just to the side of the trophy cases. Fans who wish to check out the Halton Hills Sports Hall of Fame can head to the right and do some exploring just outside of the Fernbrook Rink. Inductees of note include Gordon Alcott and former NHL goaltender, Brian Hayward. An interesting display dedicated to the former Georgetown Memorial Arena is also found in this area and includes seats and the original Zamboni from the 1923 arena.
Heading toward the Alcott Arena, fans are met with temporary tables where tickets are purchased, as well as 50/50 tickets and pucks for chuck-a-puck. The seating area is up the stairs, and fans will find more portraits of those who have added to Georgetown hockey, including former Maple Leafs legend “King” Clancy and Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean.
Inside the Alcott Arena, the ice is oriented from east to west, with the main seating area on the north side. Lihth- coloured, low peaked support beams cross the ice surface and hold up the silver insulated roof. The seating area on the north is elevated above ice level and has six rows of plastic ,and resin benches with standing room behind them. At the east end of the second grandstand are ten rows of benches that start at ice level.
There are a couple of items of note that are found on the east end. A plaque honoring longtime Raiders fan Norm Lockhurst is found by one of the benches and is a nice touch. Four honored jerseys for the Raiders are found on the north wall at ice level, beneath the seating area, that are not visible from the north side. The Raiders have embraced their history honoring former players Mike Knoepfli, Ryan Busby, Dave Bouskill, and Stace Page.
The south wall is littered with banners from minor hockey teams, as well as junior and intermediate teams and the Halton Hills Bulldogs Junior B lacrosse team. The banners are pretty uniform and organized, but unfortunately, the Raiders’ banners do not stand out. The 2016-2017 Buckland Cup Championship banner as OJHL Champions is of note.
The gameday production in Georgetown is very simple. Music and announcements, along with the 50/50 and chuck-a-puck promotions, make up the entirety of the effort.
Neighbourhood 4
Mold-Masters SportsPlex is located in Georgetown, a community on the eastern border of the Town of Halton Hills. The SportsPlex is located in a bit of a retail area of town and there are a few spots for pre or post game food. Some more original offerings include Symposium Cafe, St. George Publ, Norval Pancake House, Copper Kettle Pub, The Pickled Piper and a few large chain and fast food restaurants.
The Raiders are the main spectator sports entity in Georgetown. However, there are a few options that are close by. The City of Brampton is right next door and is the new home of the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads. The Brampton Excelsiors also play during the summer months. The Raiders have healthy rivalries with the Milton Menace and Caledon Admirals, both of which are a short drive away.
The area is also known for golf courses and Glen Eden Ski Resort and Kelso Conservation Area. Harness Racing is found year round at Woodbine Mohawk Raceway and Elements Casino is also on site. For those interested in shopping, Toronto Premium Outlets is also a short drive away. For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Best Western is just off of Guelph Street, close to the arena.
Fans 2
The Georgetown Raiders usually attract between 100 and 150 fans per game. In the 2022-23 season they averaged 130 fans per game and approximately 150 the following season. A good regular season crowd will top the 200 fan mark, but for the most part it is a friends and family type of crowd. Raider fans are typical of Ontario fans and pretty quiet and reserved, but get loud at the appropriate time.
Access 4
Georgetown is located 10 km north of the junction of Highways 401 and 407. It is important to keep in mind that Highway 407 is a toll highway and Highway 401 is the main highway running through Southern Ontario, so it can get quite busy. Travelers will have to traverse Halton Hills a bit to get to the Mold-Masters SportsPlex, but that won’t be a big issue.
There is plenty of free parking on site. For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, the GO Transit station is very close to the arena and Milton Transit stops are found on Guelph Street. Fans should consult the GO Transit and Milton Transit websites for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the arena is not too difficult and the washroom facilities are good for the size of the crowd.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets for the Georgetown Raiders go for $15 at the door on gameday. Students and seniors enjoy a $5 discount. Cash and credit are both accepted and there is no online option. Parking at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex is free and concession prices are decent. The Raiders put a good product on the ice and fans will enjoy the OJHL brand of hockey.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the historic championship banners including Junior B and Junior C and Intermediate/Senior teams of the past.
An extra mark for the recognition of those who built and maintained Georgetown hockey at all levels found throughout the Mold-Masters SportsPlex.
An extra mark for Mold-Masters SportsPlex as a community hub.
Final Thoughts
Hockey is alive and well in Georgetown, Ontario. Taking in a Georgetown Raiders game is a great idea for fans who wish to check out some solid hockey for a low price and maybe take in some local history in the process. The Gordon Alcott Arena @ Mold-Masters SportsPlex offers a good locale for OJHL hockey.
----
Comentarios