New era at an old venue
The Pacific Coliseum, a historic cornerstone of Vancouver sports, welcomed the Vancouver Goldeneyes for training camp as the PWHL team takes to the rink on Renfrew Street. After months of planning and construction, the 57-year-old arena is sporting a fresh look designed to meet modern hockey standards while preserving the character that longtime fans associate with this landmark.
What’s changed: improvements behind the scenes
While the public-facing changes aim to enhance the fan experience, the most noticeable updates sit inside the arena’s footprint. Officials and team staff describe a refreshed concourse, expanded concession options, and upgraded restrooms that are more accessible and ADA-compliant. In the seating bowl, new sightlines and more legroom promise a comfortable game-night experience, especially during the high-energy playoff runs fans anticipate in the coming seasons.
Behind the scenes, the players and coaching staff have benefitted from a modernized locker-room complex featuring improved heating, ventilation, and a state-of-the-art video review area. The ice sheet itself has received attention too, with adjustments to the cooling system and the dasher boards aimed at a crisper game flow and safer, quicker reconfiguration between periods and intermissions. These changes are designed to support the fast, physical play that the Goldeneyes intend to showcase this season.
The Goldeneyes’ home, reimagined
For the Vancouver Goldeneyes, the renovations are more than cosmetic. They signal the team’s readiness to contend within the rapidly evolving landscape of professional women’s hockey. The upgrades align with the league’s emphasis on competitive balance, fan engagement, and sustainable venues that can host a growing number of events beyond hockey, such as youth clinics, charity scrimmages, and media days. The arena’s renewed infrastructure is expected to reduce downtime during events and provide a more reliable platform for the team’s training, practices, and scrimmages.
Fan experience and community impact
From the first whistle of training camp, fans are likely to notice smoother ticketing processes, clearer wayfinding, and enhanced accessibility throughout the venue. The renovation project also reflects a broader commitment to community partnerships, with the PNE-owned facility aiming to host more community events that bring families and hockey enthusiasts together under one roof. As Vancouver continues to embrace the growth of women’s hockey, the Goldeneyes’ home advantage is amplified by a facility that respects history while embracing modern standards.
What’s next for Vancouver hockey fans
Training camp at Pacific Coliseum marks a new chapter for both the Goldeneyes and the city’s hockey culture. As players skate through drills and showcase their skills, the arena’s refreshed corridors and reimagined facilities set the stage for memorable home games. Fans can look forward to a season where top-tier athleticism meets accessibility, comfort, and a sense of place that only a venerable arena like the Pacific Coliseum can provide.
Bottom line
The Pacific Coliseum’s fresh look is more than a facelift. It’s a tangible commitment to supporting elite competition in women’s hockey and to delivering a superior experience for fans, players, and families who fill the seats in Denman Street’s iconic home of hockey—where history and modernity meet on the ice.
