A preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators is being moved from Elliot Lake to the Sudbury Arena.
The City of Elliot Lake announced the change of venue Wednesday on social media.
Elliot Lake won the Kraft Hockeyville contest in the spring and the city received $250,000 to repair its shuttered Centennial Arena, and the opportunity to host the preseason game.
But Elliot Lake Mayor Andrew Wannan previously told CBC News the arena would not be ready in time for the game.
“I mean I don’t think everything’s going to be ready. I don’t think the stands will be perfect, right. And if you’re having such a big event you want to pack the place,” he said.
“I don’t think we’ll have that capacity. No matter what. Even if it’s a miracle and we could open it up tomorrow and make ice.”
The 55-year-old Centennial Arena was suddenly shut down in September 2023 out of fears it could become the latest building to collapse in the city of 11,000, a former uranium mining capital turned retirement destination.
Even if the arena had been ready in time, Elliot Lake doesn’t meet some of the NHL’s requirements to host an exhibition game, including a hospital with specific medical equipment.
Wannan confirmed to CBC on Wednesday that Sudbury will host the game in place of Elliot Lake.
He previously said that he hopes tickets will be set aside for Elliot Lake residents, and especially for children involved in minor hockey.
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