The Duncan McDonald Memorial Gardens in Trenton, Ontario is home to one of the best junior hockey atmospheres in Canada. If you are any sort of hockey fan visiting or residing in Ontario, going to attend a Trenton Golden Hawks game in Trenton, Ontario is an excellent way to get the true Canadian junior hockey experience. Just a 2-hour drive east of Toronto (Google Maps), The town of Trenton itself is deeply rooted in Canadian culture and history. It houses 8 Wing Trenton: the largest Royal Canadian Air Force base that for almost 100 years, has served as a vital strategic asset for Canadian tactical and strategic transport aircraft across the globe (Government of Canada). It is not uncommon to see Canadian military personnel in the scattered stores and driving on the weathered asphalt streets of the small town. In addition, the National Air Force Museum of Canada sits in a perfect spot: less than a kilometre away from the aforementioned Air Force base. While you either venture into the 75,000 square foot indoor display space or the directly connected 16-acre outdoor park, you will get to learn about storied RCAF aircraft as the thundering sounds of jet engines and turbo-propeller planes take off and land right beside you (National Air Force Museum of Canada) ... Can it get any better than that?
Before you even reach the front gates of the rink, there is no chance that you will miss the stunning scenery of the Bay of Quinte: an extending arm off of Lake Ontario. You will find vibrant green trees lining its rocky shores, as various types of power and sailboats make their way through the dark blue sun-reflecting waterway. Across the bay; you will be able to take in the beauty of Prince Edward County. Known for its wineries, farmland and lake views, Prince Edward County could be a great alternative to the excitement of the Air Force base if peaceful scenery and relaxation are more your preference (Visit PEC). Centennial Park; which is situated right beside the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens, is another location that will be up your alley if you enjoy taking in nature’s charm. Containing various soccer and football fields, trails and paths, Centennial Park takes in what Trenton’s outdoors has to offer and gives you a one-stop destination to experience it. As a bonus, a multitude of seasonal events takes place: all the way from breathtaking fireworks displays to energetic festivals (City of Quinte West). You will find it quite difficult to have nothing to do while visiting the town.
While the previous locations are amazing on their own, the real main attraction is the hockey. As you make your way toward the arena on a brisk game night, you are greeted by the sight of a life-scale model of a Golden Hawk CF-86 Sabre Jet. After all, the team is named after the RCAF’s famous Golden Hawks: an old aerobatic precision flying group that called 8 Wing Trenton their home. Continuing through the line-up of eager Trentonians and into the historic arena, you will find the quaint but lively concourse containing a snack bar and a small shop selling Trenton Golden Hawk merchandise. As you take your seat, you will begin to appreciate the ‘old-time hockey’ feeling of the rink as wooden trusses and supports hang over you, forming what looks to be the roof of an old barn. Anticipation will begin to creep in as fans begin to fill the bowl of blue and red seats encircling the ice surface. You will begin to appreciate the history of the 65-year-old building as you read banners with accomplishments and championships from previous teams that line the painted brick walls of the upper bowl (Jordan). As puck drop closes in, the lights covering the rink will begin to brighten as players will take the ice for warm-ups. Music through speakers all around the rink will mix with the energy of the fans to spark an atmosphere like no other.
Game time. Following an electric entrance from the home Golden Hawks and the starting lineups for either team, an air-raid siren will wail wildly while fans begin to cheer and employ their noisemakers and air horns. It is impossible not to be invested in the game with this type of atmosphere. As the fast-paced and hard-hitting hockey continues, the periods will seem to fly by. You will have the option to take part in various fun fan-interaction events; such as the 50-50 raffle or the chuck-a-puck, occurring throughout the game. Every Golden Hawks goal scored creates an infectious tidal wave of energy throughout the building; the fans don’t mind big hits either. As the conclusion of the game nears, you will be glued to the edge of your seat. When the final buzzer inevitably rings throughout the packed arena, fans will give up one last cheer for the team as they exit the ice after a hard-fought game. As you leave your seat and head towards the nearest exit, you will have received the true junior hockey experience: most likely wanting to come back for more.
Works Cited
City of Quinte West. “Centennial Park - The City of Quinte West.” Quinte West, 2022, https://quintewest.ca/parks-facilities/parks/centennial-park/. Accessed 2 May 2022.
Google Maps. “Distance from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Trenton, Ontario, Canada.” Google Maps, 2022, https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Toronto,+Ontario/Trenton,+Quinte+West,+ON/@43.9932401,-79.6011046,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d4cb90d7c63ba5:0x323555502ab4c477!2m2!1d-79.3831843!2d43.653226!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d63c644c7c2b53:0x2d689645b513f632!2m2!1. Accessed 02 May 2022.
Government of Canada. “8 Wing Trenton - Royal Canadian Air Force.” Canada.ca, 15 February 2021, https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/corporate/wings/8-wing.html. Accessed 2 May 2022.
Jordan, Kevin. “Trenton Community Gardens, Oshawa Generals.” The OHL Arena Guide, 13 March 2022, http://www.ohlarenaguide.com/trenton.htm. Accessed 2 May 2022.
National Air Force Museum of Canada. “National Air Force Museum of Canada – www.airforcemuseum.ca.” National Air Force Museum of Canada, 7 April 2022, http://airforcemuseum.ca/eng/. Accessed 2 May 2022.
Visit PEC. “Visit Prince Edward County.” Prince Edward County Official - Sandbanks & Picton Tourism - VisitPEC.ca, 2022, https://www.visitpec.ca/. Accessed 2 May 2022.
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