Al MacInnis Arena

Nestled along the rugged coastline of Cape Breton Island, Port Hood is a village of approximately 1000 people. Our arena is found at the water’s edge but is at the very center of our community. Our most famous son went on to NHL stardom and a career that took him to arenas around the world, yet he returns during the summer months to the place that is home. He is a Stanley Cup champion, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner and an Olympic gold medalist; in his honour, our arena now bears the name Al MacInnis Sports Centre. This is the home arena of players from Port Hood and the neighbouring community of Judique. Al looms large as an inspirational figure but Andrew MacDonald is also an example of following your dream. An emerging star defenseman, Andrew is from Judique and now plays with the New York Islanders. Here, players are proud to begin their hockey career as a Port Hood Bee. The arena has hosted countless tournaments and displays numerous championship banners. Players come from across the country to take part in the John Allan Cameron Memorial Hockey Tournament each November; it continues to grow and draw people from far and wide, including Walter Gretzky who has attended as a special guest the two years it has been in existence! Offseason, the arena plays host to various events and fundraisers. Most notable is Chestico Days, our annual summer festival. We also have Lobster Fest which draws hundreds each year to enjoy fantastic lobster burgers, an all day concert and boat tours. Maintaining equipment needed to keep the aging arena operational is a financial challenge. Our arena is in need of a new boiler system for its hot water heating as well as updates to the air exchange system throughout the arena. Time is running out on our scoreboard as well! It frequently needs to be reset during games causing numerous delays. A new coat of paint is also required throughout the facility. A Community Refresh Reward would be used to help defray the cost of these upgrades. For these reasons and for the people who work to raise funds for the arena and who spend countless hours there – whether cheering on their teams or volunteering their time - this refresh would be an amazing reward! The arena fitness center promotes active living as do recently upgraded sidewalks, a project spearheaded by a number of volunteers to ensure residents had a safe place to enjoy a walk, run, or bike ride. Our outdoor pool is popular with both residents and tourists, especially those who visit the campground across from the arena. Our annual triathlon attracts a crowd each summer and our boardwalk offers fantastic views of miles of pristine beaches - a huge draw as we boast some of the warmest waters north of the Carolinas! Recreation activities range from card plays to storytelling evenings to events that celebrate our rich history and culture such as lively summer ceilidhs where a good time is guaranteed! Imagine, stepdancing on SportsCentre! We are also proud to be home to a CFL champion, recently retired Edmonton Eskimo Bruce Beaton. We cheered as we watched the final game in the local fire hall as Bruce capped off a stellar career by winning the Grey Cup! As the signs at the entrance to town proclaim, we are proud of our people, proud of our heritage. Overlooking Port Hood Island, our arena is the perfect setting for a SportsCentre broadcast! Excitement ran high 3 years ago when our own Mitch MacDonald competed on Canadian Idol. We watched, voted, and cheered as he sang his way to a Top 2 finish. Winning the hearts of many across our country, Mitch’s best performance was arguably Love this Town which he also sang on the outdoor stage next to the arena when he made his hometown visit as a Top 4 contestant. We love our town TSN and we know you will too – give us the chance to welcome you this summer - Ciad Mile Fáilte! Bring the Kraft Celebration Tour to Port Hood!