Durham Ice Rink

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The rink was started in 1940 by a local alderman John F. 'Icy' Smith. During the Second World War, the rink was used by the Canadian Forces stationed in the area and certainly saw some NHL stars. The roof that covered the rink at the end of the War was held up by poles that extended from the ice surface. This certainly made play interesting.

Icy Smith found at the end of the war that there was a large surplus of coffins and purchased them. The wood was used to construct the stands. The poles were removed and the rink covered by a corrugated iron structure.

The rink had some unusual features by North American standards. There were no gates to the benches. The players went over the boards. There was no glass or netting along the side boards which meant fans had to always be alert. The rink had its own hydroelectric plant powered by the river Wear that could run the ice plant in the event of a power outage (assuming the river was not at a low water level).

The rink was the home of the Durham Wasps men's team from 1947 to 1995. The rink was closed August 1996.