The Middleton & District Arena hosted its first official hockey game over 50 years ago on January 20, 1971! The construction of the arena that we know now was truly a community effort. Prior to January 1971, the rink was erected by Nova Scotia Steel at a cost of just over $61,000. At that time the arena was nothing more than an empty steel building. The lighting was completed by Don Neily and his evening students from the Vocational School at a cost of $4,000 (some of which was raised by the Ladies Auxiliary). Then M.R.H.S. students Cecil Robicheau, Fred McGill and others raised $1,400 to purchase the necessary lumber to complete the boards. The carpentry class at the Vocational School constructed the boards in 10 foot sections while volunteers worked to install the boards.