Oxford Arena
- Published: January 16, 2018
Overview
The Oxford Arena (Lions Recreation Centre) located at 70 Waverly Street hosts tournaments, recreation events, skating shows, hockey and much more.
Cumberland County Exhibition
The Cumberland County Exhibition, under the auspices of the Oxford Agriculture Society, has been in operation since 1918. It was started as a one-day show, changed to 2 and then 3 days and now runs a full 6 days including 4H events. The Wild Blueberry Harvest Festival was added in 1988. The 15-member Board of Directors consists entirely of volunteers.
The week-long Exhibition consists of various activities including a queens' pageant, talent show, various farm animals, 4-H day, different displays and vendors and more. Several contests run throughout the week as well as a parade to end off the festivities. The Cumberland County Exhibition runs the last week in August.
Arena History
At the June 1973 supper meeting of the Oxford Area Lions Club, it was unanimously decided that the club would undertake the project of building a Lions Recreation Centre in the Town of Oxford. Following the collapse of the old Oxford Hippodrome rink several years previous Oxford had been without a proper skating rink. It was decided that a multi-purpose building should be erected on Waverley Street at the site where the Oxford Hippodrome once stood.
In October 1978 total funds being realized were in the amount of $450,000. Of this amount, $135,000 had been received in the form of grants from the Nova Scotia Department of Recreation, $31,000 donated by the Oxford Area Lions and the balance from donations by nearly every person, group and organization in Oxford and the surrounding area. Many local businesses, contractors and citizens also donated the use of their trucks, dozers and loaders along with the donation of supplies for the initial construction of the Centre.
On Friday, December 8th, 1978 the Official Opening of the Oxford Area Lions Recreation Centre was held. At this time the key to the building was presented to Mayor Freeman Porteous by Lion Jerry Burkhardt. Thus the building was owned and operated by the Town of Oxford. Incidentally, this building was donated to the Town of Oxford completely debt-free.
Over the years the Lions Recreation Centre has been used for hockey, skating, carnivals, dances, horse pulls, Cumberland County Exhibition, floor hockey and on and on. It goes without saying that this Centre is a lasting monument to the presence of Lionism in the Town of Oxford. It is through the enormous efforts of the Oxford Area Lions and the continued support of the local citizens and businesses that this project was completed successfully.
Arena Calendar
- To make bookings at the Oxford Arena contact oxfordarenabookings@gmail.com
- Go to the Oxford Arena Calendar