The Civic Memorial Park has several features and pieces from the old Vernon Civic Arena.
The Civic Arena was the previous home to the Vernon Vipers who played in the arena from 1995-2001 before moving into the brand new Vernon Multi-Plex, now known as Kal Tire Place in 2001. Junior hockey was played in the Civic Arena starting in 1961 with the team having several different names, Vernon Jr. Canadians 1961-62, Vernon Blades 1962-67, Vernon Essos 1967-73, Vernon Vikings 1973-1978, Vernon Canadians 1978-79, Vernon Lakers 1980-1995, & Vernon Vipers 1995-present. On January 6th 2018 marked the 80th anniversary of the Civic Arena, where the Vernon Vipers & Prince George Spruce Kings played the final Junior hockey game.
The first hockey game took place 80 years ago that night, an exhibition game between the Vancouver Lions and Spokane Clippers on January 6th 1938. This isn't the first time the Vipers have had to play in the Civic Arena, since moving into Kal Tire Place in 2001. The Vipers were forced to play the BCHL League Finals in the Civic Arena vs the Surrey Eagles in 2005 and again in 2009 vs the AJHL Grande Prairie Storm during the Doyle Cup. Both series were forced into the Civic Arena due to the loggers convention in town-inside Kal Tire Place. The Civic Arena was listed at a seating capacity of 2,252 with 500 standing room and an ice surface listed at 180'x80'
The first nationally televised Centennial Cup was in Vernon in 1990 between the host Vernon Lakers vs the New Westminster Royals. The Lakers defeated the powerful New Westminster Royals in the 1990 Centennial Cup 6-5 in overtime in one of the greatest so called games in Junior hockey history. New West built up a 5-2 lead after 40 minutes, but couldnt hold onto the lead as Cam Sylven scored the game tying goal and the overtime winner in front of a packed Vernon Civic Arena.
1990 Centennial Cup highlights,
A local historian and videographer Francois Arsenault has dug up some footage from 1961 of the Vernon Civic Arena.
