Uncle Jim’s son, Jimmy Britton, worked at Argo and he remembers vividly that he was one of the drivers who delivered the blocks used for the construction of Dixie Arena Gardens. Deliveries of the blocks were done basically at center ice. “We drove our trucks right inside of the building as it was being constructed and unloaded there,” said Jimmy.
The idea of writing a book on the history of Dixie Arena Gardens came to me in the midst of my research for my first book Apple Blossoms and Satellite Dishes, which was released in June 2004. It was during this time that I realized just what a significant impact Dixie Arena Gardens had not only on me personally but also on my community and, in fact, the entire region.
Possibly former Houston Aeros hockey star Jack Stanfield said it best when he remarked to me during my research that Dixie Arena meant so much to so many hockey players who grew up in that community. “It was ‘THE’ social gathering place for the area’s youth. All in all, I think of Dixie Arena as the social centre for my youth and I don’t think you or anyone else could have found a better place to learn how to build friendships. Many of these friendships are still in place today,” he said.
I must thank Fred Price of Frederick Price Real Estate Ltd., who presented me with a replica of the opening night program of Dixie Arena during my research for my first book. I knew then that a book just had to be done to pay tribute to the many people who had such great faith in the building of Dixie Arena Gardens. Also, my thanks go to William Pinkney who allowed me to use his copy of the original opening night souvenir program book for reproduction in opening night chapter.
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