10 years of the Essar Centre: 2013 to 2016 (38 photos)

On September 29, 2006, the official replacement of the Sault’s aging and outdated Memorial Gardens kicked off a weekend celebration marking its grand opening.

Completed in 1949, the Memorial Gardens could seat 3,990 spectators and cost approximately $765,000 to construct.

High above ice level at the south end of the arena, designers placed a fallen soldier tribute that included stained glass panels and a bronze angel.

The current Essar Centre can seat anywhere from 3,200 to 6,500 spectators depending on the event type and set up, and cost around $25 million to build.

The stained glass panels and bronze angel from the Memorial Gardens were preserved and placed in the same location in the new arena.

For more background about the Essar Centre, read parts one and two of our three part series marking the Essar Centre's 10th anniversary.

Fun facts: Part 3

For five consecutive years, the Essar Centre was nominated for the Canadian Music and Broadcast Award for Major Facility of the Year (under 8,000 Capacity).

Although the Essar Centre has been completed for 10 years, there were two proposed upgrades in the original plans. Phase II would add 11 new luxury suites facing opposite the existing 13. Phase III would see the addition of another 12 suites.

During a 2007 performance in the Sault on the World Container tour, Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie congratulated the city on its 'new container' in reference to the new arena. The band had previously performed in the Sault at the Memorial Gardens.