Summerland Arena

{{Short description|Indoor arena in British Columbia, Canada}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox venue | name = Summerland Arena | location = 8820 Jubilee Rd E Summerland, British Columbia V0H 1Z0 | coordinates = | owner = District of Summerland | seating_capacity = 800 | broke_ground = | opened = March 27, 1976 | closed = | demolished = | cost = {{CAD|2.4 million}} (1976) | tenants = Summerland Buckaroos (BCHL) (1983–1988) Summerland Sting (KIJHL) (2001–2009) Summerland Steam (KIJHL) (2011–2024) Summerland Jets (BCHC) (2026–present) }}

'''Summerland Arena''' is an indoor arena located in Summerland, British Columbia. It is owned by the District of Summerland. Summerland Arena has a capacity of 800 for hockey games.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |date=February 12, 2026 |title=KIJHL returning to Summerland for 2026-27 season |url=https://www.kijhl.ca/kijhl-returning-to-summerland-for-2026-27-season |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=kijhl.ca |language=en-US}}</ref> It is the home of the Summerland Jets of the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) and the Summerland Minor Hockey Association.

== History == Summerland Arena was built at a cost of CA$2.4 million, with CA$1.159 million being funded by taxpayers and the remaining CA$1.241 million coming from a grant. The arena opened on March 27, 1976, along with the Summerland Aquatic and Fitness Centre.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Arendt |first=John |date=2026-03-27 |title=Summerland recreation facilities mark 50 years |url=https://summerlandreview.com/2026/03/27/summerland-recreation-facilities-mark-50-years/ |access-date=2026-04-23 |website=Summerland Review |language=en}}</ref> The arena celebrated its 50th anniversary on March 27, 2026, with a free skate, along with free swim at the aquatic centre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lacey |first=Keith |date=March 28, 2026 |title=Arena, aquatics centre both turn 50 this year in Summerland |url=https://www.pentictonherald.ca/life/article_8a96127b-aa62-46f4-a898-e8f38e133eec.html |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=Penticton Herald |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

== Sports == The arena has been home to various junior hockey teams through the years. In 1983, the Summerland Buckaroos of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) relocated from Kelowna and used the Summerland Arena as its home before their demise in 1988.<ref name=":3" /> In 2001, the Summerland Sting joined the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) and used the Summerland Arena as its home until the team's relocation to Penticton to become the Penticton Lakers.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2009 |title=BC Daily Buzz - Summerland Sting Relocate To Penticton |url=http://www.bcdailybuzz.com/media/2991/Summerland_Sting_relocate_to_Penticton/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175556/http://www.bcdailybuzz.com/media/2991/Summerland_Sting_relocate_to_Penticton/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=bcdailybuzz.com |language=en}}</ref> The KIJHL came back to Summerland in 2011, when the Summerland Steam began play at the arena.<ref name=":2" /> The Steam played in the Summerland Arena for 12 seasons before relocating to Williams Lake in 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Summerland Steam franchise moving to Williams Lake |url=https://www.pentictonherald.ca/sports/article_c846dc10-eac9-11ee-b213-4fe406fe4e97.html |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=Penticton Herald |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Summerland Steam sold, relocating to Williams Lake |url=https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/sports/summerland-steam-sold-relocating-to-williams-lake-7332913 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602194559/https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/sports/summerland-steam-sold-relocating-to-williams-lake-7332913 |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2026 |work=Vernon Morning Star |language=en}}</ref>

On October 13, 2025, the District of Summerland council endorsed a proposal to bring junior hockey back to Summerland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lacey |first=Keith |date=October 13, 2026 |title=Summerland Steam will be returning to KIJHL |url=https://www.castanet.net/news/Summerland/577430/Summerland-Steam-will-be-returning-to-KIJHL |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=castanet.net |language=en-CA}}</ref> On February 12, 2026, the KIJHL announced that it would once again return to Summerland, starting in 2026–27.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=February 12, 2026 |title=KIJHL returning to Summerland for 2026-27 season |url=https://www.kijhl.ca/kijhl-returning-to-summerland-for-2026-27-season |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=kijhl.ca |language=en-US}}</ref> On March 18, 2026, it was announced that the new team would be named the Summerland Jets, taking its name from the existing minor hockey association that has been playing at the arena since the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arendt |first=John |date=March 18, 2026 |title=New Summerland junior hockey team to use Jets name |url=https://pentictonwesternnews.com/2026/03/18/new-summerland-junior-hockey-team-to-use-jets-name/ |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=Penticton Western News |language=en-CA}}</ref> On April 22, 2026, the KIJHL, along with BC Hockey, announced that 14 of its teams, including the Jets, would be joining the new Junior A British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) for the 2026–27 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=April 22, 2026 |title=BCHC launches as sanctioned Junior A league |url=https://www.kijhl.ca/bchc-launches-as-sanctioned-junior-a-league |access-date=April 23, 2026 |website=kijhl.ca |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References == <references />

Category:Indoor arenas in British Columbia Category:Ice hockey venues in British Columbia