Facilities_Panel_FNL More recent additions include the Rotary Waterfront Rink which was opened in 2008. In the winter it provides space for free recreational skating. The Cobourg Community Center, built at a cost of some $27 million, was opened in 2011, providing both ice space and gym space for a wide variety of community sports and activities. Design & layout by Quench Design & Communications Inc. | Port Hope | www.quenchme.ca INDOOR Ice sports have an important place in Cobourg's sports memory - as do the facilities they are played in. Originally play began on the frozen ponds in the area. The Cobourg Star reported as early as 1846 that curling matches were being played on Wallace Pond, Factory Creek, just north of the King Street Bridge. The first covered curling rink was built on James Street. Over the years, Cobourg had multiple rinks throughout town for both skating and curling. The old Waverly Curling Club building still stands on Queen Street. Presently the West Northumberland Curling Club plays out of the Jack Heenan Arena. It is challenging to determine where the first hockey games were played, but it is assumed that they must also have been played on the frozen ponds in the area. In the 1900s there were a series of rinks in Cobourg including one at Third and Albert Street which was demolished in 1906 to make way for the new jail. In the process, part of the building collapsed and a Mr. Edward Terry was killed. A new arena, known as the Ley Arena, was built on the north side of University Ave. between George and Division Streets. It served for many years, but in February 1945 snow damaged the roof so badly that an engineer was brought in to inspect and the building. He declared it unsafe for use. In 1947 the Town held a referendum on whether to build a new "Memorial Rink". Apparently the referendum passed because construction on Furnace Street began in August, 1949. Four years to the day after construction began, the new building burnt down. But it was promptly rebuilt and continues to serve the community. In 1966 it was closed for 10 days to investigate a structural issue. As a result the annual Young Canada Night had to be rescheduled and Bobby Orr, of the Oshawa Generals was no longer able to attend. A second rink, named after Jack Heenan (Mayor 1961-1980), was added to the site in 1977. Cloverdale Park -- 3 tennis courts; softball diamond Donegan Park -- 4 baseball diamonds, soccer field, skateboard area Fitzhugh Park -- basketball court James J. Tracey Park -- softball diamond Legion Fields -- 3 softball diamonds COBOURG PARKS - 2016 (with Sports Facilities) Lions Park -- 4 soccer fields Morley Cane Park -- baseball diamond Rotary Fields -- 3 soccer fields Sinclair Park -- 2 softball diamonds Westwood Park -- soccer field, softball diamond TOWN OF COBOURG LAKE ONTARIO Donegan Park Lions Park Westwood Park Fitzhugh Park Cloverdale Park James J. Tracey Park Legion Fields Rotary FieldsMorley Cane Park Sinclair Park Cobourg's Sporting Facilities Where We Play(ed)