Russ Barnes Arena — Attraction in Edmonton

Even with my car being broken into last season in the parking lot I still don’t hate this arena. Sure the arena is showing its age but it’s an older rink with character.

Show up early to make sure you get a parking spot in the lot. Wear your skate guards to the ice because the hallways have sand rocks and pebbles everywhere. Good luck fitting your entire team in one locker room and the benches don’t have a spot for your water bottle.

With all that being said the ice is usually in great condition and that’s all that...

An old rink with cramped locker rooms, no hot water in the showers, and a shower drain that was clogged / backing up. Dressing rooms are a decent walk away from the ice, with stairs are involved (always a challenge for a goalie).

The neighbourhood isn't too desirable either, and parking butts up against a dark alley.

That said, there's still a charm and some nostalgia from these old rinks that modern rinks don't deliver. And the ice, bench, and everything else was fine -- so you forget about all the issues once...

One of the staff members was completely rude to me yelling at me in front of my kids. It was our first time there I was very upset it ruined my whole experience. It was suppose to be a fun time for us! He came back and tried to apologize to me but at that point I was already embarrassed and upset. Just be kind to everyone you never know what other people are...