New Westminster Bruins
Arena Name: Willingdon Civic Arena
Capacity: 1,200
Built: 1955
Address: 5001 Joyce Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 5R2
Ice Surface Size: Regulation
Only Game: 1981
What Was the Arena Like?
A municipal strike in 1981 forced the New Westminster Bruins to play three games outside of their normal Queen's Park Arena home. The first two were played in Bellingham, Washington, but poor facilities and frigid temperatures in that arena meant team GM Tracy Pratt decided to move the final scheduled home game to his hometown of Powell River, BC, and the Willingdon Civic Arena.
The game, played March 1, 1981, ended with Victoria beating the Bruins 10-2 in front of 1,000 fans. I haven't been up to the rink, and apart from the one in Whitehorse, it's probably the least likely former rink for me ever to consider visiting, as from Vancouver, Powell River is a minimum of two ferry rides or an airplane ride away, way up north on the Sunshine Coast of BC. The town is not accessible by road from the rest of Canada. But at least there's a BCHL team currently resident up there, so there'd be a game at the end of the journey should I ever decide to make the trip.
What's the Arena Used For Today?
Willingdon Civic Arena was renamed Hap Parker Arena in 2008, and it still stands as the host of the Powell River Kings of the BCHL.
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at 
and I'll update the guide.
and I'll update the guide.Copyright © WHL Arena Guide, 2002-25.
All rights reserved.
Last Revised: March 1, 2025