Robert Guertin Centre

The Robert Guertin Centre, formerly Hull Arena and nicknamed “The Bob”, was a 4,000 capacity (3,196 seated) multi-purpose arena in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. It was built in 1952 and was home to the Gatineau Olympiques ice hockey team. The arena also briefly hosted the Ottawa 67's in 1967, while the Ottawa Civic Centre was under construction. The arena hosted the Memorial Cup in 1997, 1982, and 1958. It is also the site of an international midget hockey tournament which is held every January. It is considered by many Gatineau residents, particularly of the Hull sector, as a cultural and sport heritage location for the region.
There were several discussions regarding the future of the arena as the structure showed signs of deterioration. It was in 2001, that team owners of the Olympiques first discussed the idea of playing at a new rink with a larger capacity. . Renovations were made to the arena in 2003 and 2004 but it slightly reduced the number of seats due to safety reasons. .
==Replacement==
thumbnail|left|Exterior
In 2001, team owners of the Olympiques first discussed the idea of playing at a new rink with a larger capacity. Renovations were made to the arena in 2003 and 2004 that slightly reduced the number of seats due to safety reasons. On May 25, 2011, city council announced that a new 5,000 seat arena would be built on the same site, and the old arena would be demolished. The estimated cost of the new arena was to be $63 million, but the project never went further.
On February 22, 2017, city council approved a new 4,000 seat arena and recreation complex with three community rinks. Cost is estimated at $79 million. The new arena, Slush Puppie Centre, being built east of downtown, and to be completed by September 2021, will be just north of Maloney Boulevard, between Montée Paiement and Boulevard de la Cité.
== References ==
==External links==
* Information on the Robert Guertin Centre
Category:Ontario Hockey League arenas
Category:Quebec Major Junior Hockey League arena
Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in Quebec