Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame – Hockey For All Centre
The Project
“What you have here is the history of hockey. It’s the opportunity for young and old to go back and view the beginning and see what it was all about. It makes me feel proud that we have worked toward a goal to keep the history together.”— Don Kuryk, President Manitoba Hall of Fame
Hockey is part of Canada’s cultural fabric, with deep roots throughout the country. Since 1985, The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of local players, builders, teams, media, and more. When the Hall moved into the Hockey For All Centre (formally called the Iceplex) in 2018, they were thrilled to be provided with the large, high-traffic space to showcase their collection of memorabilia. Pattern was brought on board to shepherd the Hall’s Board through the process of organizing, contextualizing, and designing an interactive experience that would engage and inspire visitors
The Challenge
Prior to its move in 2018, the most publicly-accessible Hall material was called the “Wall of Champions” – a collection of framed photos on display in the main floor concourse at the Canada Life Centre. The bulk of the Hall’s collection of memorabilia and artifacts had yet to find a permanent home, with most of it held in storage. The new exhibit space would change this by pairing those items alongside the new interactive elements of the exhibit. Therefore, the primary challenge of this project was the organization, contextualization, and unification of the collection into meaningful, engaging experiences for visitors. Some questions that guided our process included: “What form the exhibit should take?” “What stories should be prioritized?” “How will the design and technology inspire and engage visitors?” The answers to these questions, and more, guided the final design of the exhibit.
The Stories
The rich history of hockey in Manitoba goes back over 130 years. Many young athletes started out in small communities and on frozen rivers and ponds, with many earning success and accolades all around the world. From Olympic and Stanley Cup championship teams, to players & coaches like Ab McDonald, Barry Trotz, and Jennifer Botterill, Manitobans have elevated the game of hockey with their skill, professionalism and advocacy. This exhibit was designed to illuminate those stories as delightfully as possible.
The Solution
The 55” interactive touchscreen is the primary gateway to the stories of the inductees of years’ past. Visitors can swipe and tap through the entries in multiple ways, to find quickly and easily what they’re looking for. An accompanying second display is mounted above on the wall, and mirrors to others what the user is looking at.
The touchscreen is paired with ever-changing memorabilia on display in the newly constructed exhibit space. The expansive, approachable design encourages visitors to experience the space from different vantage points, at their own pace. The physical space is organized into four distinct eras – Beginnings, Prairies, Olympics, and Big Leagues – with stories and imagery to bring each era to life.
The Results
The new space in the always-busy Hockey For All Centre has reintroduced Manitoba’s hockey history to audiences old and new. The constant stream of people coming and going ensures there are always a handful of people perusing the exhibit at any given time. The striking design, the well-preserved memorabilia, and well-executed use of technology combine to offer a dynamic, up-to-date interactive experience for all.
