Haldimand County Caledonia Centre - Caledonia Corvairs
- Dave Cottenie
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Clark Companies Rink @ Haldimand County Caledonia Centre
100 Haddington St
Caledonia, ON N3W 2N4
Year Opened: 2004
Capacity: 1,500
All for Caledonia
Caledonia, Ontario is located on the edge of the Six Nations Reserve, split by the Grand River and southeast of Brantford. It is home to the Caledonia Corvairs of the Junior B level Greater Ontario Hockey League. The First Nations influence is found in the team with the logo, one of the best in the league. The current iteration of the Corvairs were founded in 1970 as the Brantford Jets. They also spent time as the Gunners, Penguins, Alexander B’s and Classics. In 1992 the team moved to Ohsweken, right on the Six Nations Reserve to become the Golden Eagles. Their time in Ohsweken was short and they moved to Brant County in 1998 before returning to Brantford in 2012. A decade later, the team moved to Caledonia and became the Corvairs, where they currently reside. This was not Caledonia’s first crack at junior hockey. The original Caledonia Corvairs were founded in 1961 and played at the Junior D level in the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League winning the OHA Cup as provincial champions in 1969. In 1972, the Corvairs made the jump to the Junior C level and proceeded to win the Schmalz Cup in their first season. They immediately jumped to Junior B the following season where they played seven seasons before returning to the Junior C ranks. The team went on permanent hiatus in 2012 with the Junior B Corvairs moving to Caledonia.
The Corvairs are currently owned by Pro-Fit Health and Performance and are often referred to as the Pro-Fit Corvairs due to their sponsor’s name. Home for the Corvairs is the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre. A community hub, the Caledonia Centre has two ice pads, library, community centre and athletic fields. The main ice pad, where the Corvairs play, is the Clark Companies Rink, named after a local agricultural firm.
Food & Beverage 3
There is a main concession in the lobby of Haldimand County Caledonia Centre. There is a decent variety of typical arena snack bar foods. Hot dogs, burgers, fries and popcorn are all available. Pepsi products, Slush Puppies, coffee, tea, water and energy drinks are the soft drinks available. At the north end of the arena is the Blueline Club, which sells alcoholic beverages. Patrons must stay in the north end to consume their beverages. The Blueline Club is normally inside at other arenas, however it is out in the arena at Clark Companies Rink allowing for fans to continue to hear the sounds of the game with their beer.
Atmosphere 3
The exterior of the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre is fairly non-descript. It is a low profile building with light brick and a green overhang at the main entrance. The HCCC houses two NHL sized ice rinks as well as community rooms and the public library. Outdoor sports fields are also on the grounds.
Inside the HCCC fans enter a small lobby. There are a couple of interesting items in the lobby. A number of trophy cases in the lobby house trophies and artifacts from a variety of leagues and organizations. There is one case dedicated to the Corvairs with old pictures and other items. Scrapbooks from historic teams are in the case and can be viewed with permission from the office. Two main items of note are near the Clark Companies Rink entrance. The Haldimand County Wall of Fame as plaques for inductees. Right across from the Wall of Fame are two framed hockey jerseys that make it clear who the favourite sons of Caledonia are. Ray and Don Edwards have framed NHL jerseys on the wall. Ray is from the Caledonia area and his nephew, Don, played for the Junior C Corvairs. Both ended up making it as goaltenders in the National Hockey League. After passing the ticket desk in front of the entry (the best time to explore the Wall of Fame is after the second period, when the ticket desk has been put away) fans enter the Clark Companies Rink to find a south to north oriented ice rink. There is seating on both the east and west sides with the east side having the best view of the centre ice logo and being more comfortable. The east side features three sections of seven rows of plastic arena seats. A section of benches is found on either side of the seat sections and all of the west side seating is benches. The Corvairs have enjoyed a decent run of success, winning their conference since the amalgamation of Junior B hockey in 2007 and a run of three straight Sutherland Cups as Junior B Champions from 2014-16. This does not include a few accolades earned as the Brantford Eagles. All of the championship banners flank the scoreboard at the north end of the arena. Caledonia hockey history is not lost as classic Corvair banners hang in the northeast corner for the 1969 Junior D Championship and 1973 Junior C Championship. Finally, at the north end hang the retired numbers of NHL player, Oshweken native and former Corvair Brandon Montour, and former Waterloo Warrior Tyler Norrie who tragically died in 2014.
The gameday production at a Corvairs game is a typically simple ordeal. The promotions include a 50/50 draw. The sound system at the Clark Companies Rink is decent and the PA announcer is okay, but at times he yells into the mic making it more difficult to understand announcements due to the subsequent buzzing.
Neighbourhood 3
The Haldimand County Caledonia Centre is located in central Caledonia. It is less than a km south of the Grand River. As part of Haldimand County, Caledonia is not huge with a population of just 12,000. Caledonia has a cute downtown that is worth looking into. Within walking distance of the HCCC are a few chain restaurants. Other options include Tony’s Corner Xpress, Argyle Street Grill, Oasis Drive In, Ye Olde Squire and The Real Hammer Hogs BBQ. Although the Corvairs are the only game in town, there are plenty of other sporting options a short drive away. The Junior C Hagersville Hawks are close as are the Six Nations Arrows and Six Nations Chiefs lacrosse teams. Bigger events are found at nearby Hamilton and Brantford. Some tourist options that are close to Caledonia include the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and Caledonia Mill Heritage Site. Staying in Hamilton or Brantford is the best plan for fans wishing to stay in the area.
Fans 3
For the 2024-25 season, the Caledonia Corvairs averaged 427 fans per game. Caledonia ranked 11th in the GOHL, right in the middle. The game that was reviewed was an odd Sunday evening game and only saw 240 fans in attendance. Fans in attendance are fairly reserved and quiet.
Access 4
Haldimand County Caledonia Centre is located in central Caledonia in Haldimand County. It is southeast of Brantford and southwest of Hamilton, less than a km south of the Grand River. It is south of Highway 54 and east of Highway 6, which are not large, multi-lane highways. It is not difficult to get to Caledonia from out of town most of the time, however, it could be a bit of a challenge during snowy times. There is plenty of parking on site at HCCC. For fans wishing to take public transit, there is a SOT bus stop on Haddington Street, the southern border of the HCCC. Fans should consult the Southern Ontario Transit website for fares, schedules and maps.
Return on Investment 5
GOHL hockey provides great value for the sporting dollar and the Caledonia Corvairs are no different. Tickets are purchased at the door and go for $12, cash or card. There is free parking on site and concession prices are what one would expect at a venue in the GOHL. The product on the ice is solid and fans will definitely enjoy the experience.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre as a community hub.
An extra mark for the First Nations inspiration in the current Corvairs logo.
An extra mark for the success the Corvairs have enjoyed in their short time at the Junior B level in Caledonia.
Final Thoughts
Taking in a Caledonia Corvairs game is a great way to take in some Junior B hockey. The Haldimand County Caledonia Centre offers a good mix of hockey history with modern comfort that will have fans satisfied at the end of the game.
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