Centre Gervais Auto

Centre Gervais Auto sits where the old BF Goodrich factory once stood, when the Shawinigan Cataractes moved in 2008. The ground is distinct because it carries a retractable ice rink.

The structure opened its doors on 27 December 2008, replacing the older Aréna Jacques-Plante. While the venue has seen three names since then—Amphithéâtre Shawinigan, Centre Bionest, and its current billing—the physical plant remains anchored by its engineering. The architects aimed for energy efficiency, cutting costs against the previous iteration, though the final price tag rose significantly from initial estimates. Capacity hovers around 4,100 seats, filled to the brim for the opening night against Junior de Montreal.

Its moment of highest visibility came in 2012, when it hosted the Memorial Cup. The Cataractes defeated the London Knights in overtime to claim the title. Before that, in 2009, the team had already hosted a President’s Cup Finals game.

The building’s identity is tied to its function.