The first major stumbling block for Manitoba hockey was the absence of a suitable indoor ice-skating facility. It was widely acknowledged that, were hockey to obtain the status of the preferred winter sport, some indoor ice would have to be procured for the comfort of the spectators (MDFP, Jan. 31, 1890, p. 6; MDFP, Nov. 6, 1890, p. 8.).
The first organized season had been played at the rink built by Albert W. Austin, Manager of the Winnipeg Street Railway Company, in 1888. Often referred to as Austin’s Rink, the Winnipeg Street Railway Rink was part of a winter amusement park that included snowshoe rental and a large toboggan slide (MDFP, Dec. 6, 1888. p.4). This rink was a great practice space, but spectators were not overly comfortable with the harsh winds of a Winnipeg winter. An indoor facility was needed.
The second official season of hockey in Winnipeg would be a fortuitous one in this respect. The Thistle Curling Club, having relocated from their past location, the Grand Rink at the corner of Princess St. and McWilliam (Pacific Ave.), gave up the building to new proprietors Brydon & Charlesworth (MD,FP, May 13, 1890. p.6). The Grand had celebrated its opening “fancy-dress” ball on March 23rd, 1885, as a roller-skating rink (MDFP, Mar. 24, 1885, p.4). This was during an era of extreme interest in roller-skating that had operators of outdoor ice rinks frightened:
Winnipeg Daily Free Press, March 24th, 1885. p.4
Ultimately, the craze subsided and the rink was converted into a winter ice facility for curling. After the property was sold in 1891, Brydon & Charlesworth used it for storage over the summer, but converted it into an ice-skating rink in the winter (MDFP, Nov. 10, 1891. p.6). This coincided perfectly with the opening of the Victorias’ second season, a fantastic one for the growth of hockey in Manitoba.
