Cost: $105,000. Financed co-operatively by the citizens ($50,000) and the municipality.
Ice surface: 80 x 190 feet
Seating capacity: 3,240, Standing room for 1,500
 
First hockey game played in the new arena: Tuesday December 20, 1938
Crowd in attendance: 3,500+
Cost: Adults $1.00 and children 50 cents. Choice of seats.
Proceeds from the game went to pay for the seats in the arena.

Game participants:
Toronto Maple Leafs played one period against:
St. Catharines Chiefs (won 2-0)
Niagara Fall Cataracts (won 4-1)
Port Colborne Sailors (won 2-1)
Final score: 8-2 for the Leafs led by coach Dick Irvin and owner Conn Smythe

The official opening of Garden City Arena took place on Friday December 30, 1938 when the Oshawa GM’S defeated the St. Catharines Chiefs 6-4 in a Senior OHA A game.

Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe (left), defenceman Bucko McDonald and coach Dick Irvin pose for a picture in Garden City Arena, Tuesday December 20, 1938. 

The opening ceremonies at the first hockey game played at Garden City Arena on Tuesday December 20, 1938

A crowd photo at Garden City Arena on Tuesday December 20, 1938