Chatham Memorial Arena The Chatham Memorial Arena is an ice hockey arena located in Chatham , Ontario , Canada . It was built in 1949 . The arena seats approximately 2 , 500 spectators and is the home to the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League . Located in a residential area on the south side of Chatham , the Memorial Arena has seen numerous renovations in the past ten years , the most recent addition being the installation of a larger , more modern score clock as well as improved lighting . The Chatham Memorial Arena is the largest sports venue in the municipality of Chatham - Kent . The facility houses ice hockey and figure skating in the winter and ball hockey in the summer . It is also an integral part of the annual Jaycee Fair festivities . Amenities in the venue are limited . Boasting only two concession stands , one souvenir stand and single washrooms , the arena is outdated . However , the arena features a very rustic if not rough atmosphere , and the local fans do their best to add to this . History . The arena was built in 1949 on the grounds of a training area used by the Canadian Forces during World War II . When the war ended the region no longer required such a large amount of land for military purposes so the Memorial Arena was erected . Display cases along the east side of the building give glimpses into the past of the Memorial Arena as well as the teams that have called it home . The arena was the home of the Chatham Maroons senior team that won the 1960 Allan Cup as a member of the Ontario Hockey Association ' s Senior League and won the 1950 Turner Cup as International Hockey League champions . The single retired number hanging from the rafters belongs to former Chatham MicMac ( now named Jr . Maroons ) Brian Wiseman . His number 9 was retired after Wiseman left Chatham to play for the University of Michigan Wolverines . Approximately 3 , 600 spectators were in attendance to see Wiseman break Ed Olczyk ' s single season point record . Wiseman amassed 147 points in just 40 games in 1989 - 90 . He went on to be drafted by the New York Rangers late in the NHL Entry Draft . Wiseman played games for the Chicago Wolves , St . John ' s Maple Leafs , Toronto Maple Leafs and the Houston Aeros before retiring due to concussion problems . Wiseman was named the IHL ' s Most Valuable Player in 1999 . Arena future . Chatham - Kent City Council has been entertaining the idea of building a new home for Chatham ' s junior hockey . The proposals have included a 5 , 000 seat venue on St . Clair College ' s Thames Campus . The campus is already the location of Thames Campus Arena , which would be coupled with a second ice surface , gym , Olympic - sized pool and convention hall . Other proposals include a complete overhaul of the Memorial Arena or a 3 , 500 - seat new arena , which would dash any hope of a future Ontario Hockey League franchise for the region . The council has yet to announce any plans and continues to look into the matter . Chatham was targeted by former NHLers Dale and Mark Hunter to be the home of an Ontario Hockey League team . The Hunters planned on assisting in the financing for renovations to the Memorial Arena as well as the construction of a brand new 5 , 500 seat modern facility . City Council refused to commit any funds to the endeavour and the Hunters have since left town to purchase the now highly successful London Knights of the OHL .