Ontario Series Lacrosse Arena Series: Wally Dever Arena

As we draw closer to the start of the season, the Ontario Series Lacrosse League is proud to continue a special weekly feature highlighting the teams that make our league so competitive — and the arenas they call home.

Wally Dever Arena: A Growing Home for Lacrosse in Belleville

By Gary Groob

 
Tucked inside the expansive Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre in Belleville, Ontario, Wally Dever Arena has quietly become one of the region’s most versatile and important venues—not just for hockey, but for the continued growth of box lacrosse in Eastern Ontario.
While the facility is traditionally known as one of four ice pads in the complex, its true value lies in its adaptability. When the ice comes out, Wally Dever transforms into a functional lacrosse space—hosting practices, exhibition games, and community events that help fuel the grassroots game in the Quinte region.

Built for Community, Ready for Lacrosse

Wally Dever Arena is a classic Canadian community rink: intimate, accessible, and built for local sport. The arena features seating for approximately 400 spectators along with five dressing rooms, making it an ideal setting for competitive yet community-driven events. 

Like many arenas across Ontario, its multi-purpose floor allows it to transition from ice to dry floor, opening the door for box lacrosse, ball hockey, and training sessions. This flexibility has made it a key hub for local lacrosse organizations and development programs throughout the year.
Within the broader 330,000-square-foot Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre, which includes multiple arenas, fitness facilities, and aquatic spaces, Wally Dever plays a specialized role as a mid-sized competition venue. 

A Hub for Grassroots Lacrosse

Lacrosse in the Belleville area has long been built on community involvement, and Wally Dever Arena reflects that identity perfectly. From minor lacrosse sessions to regional events, the arena provides a space where young athletes can learn the indoor game and where local teams can compete in a controlled, fan-friendly environment.
Its size creates an intimate atmosphere—perfect for box lacrosse, where speed, physicality, and crowd energy are central to the experience. Players are close to the boards, fans are right on top of the action, and every goal feels amplified.

Facilities like Wally Dever are essential to the sport’s ecosystem. While larger venues host elite competition, it’s arenas like this that develop players, grow fan bases, and sustain the game at the community level.

A New Era: Belleville Kodiaks Arrive in 2026

Beginning in May 2026, Wally Dever Arena enters a new chapter with the arrival of the Belleville Kodiaks as its newest tenant in Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL).

The addition of the Kodiaks signals a major step forward for lacrosse in the region. OSL competition brings a higher level of play, increased visibility, and a stronger connection between grassroots programs and senior-level lacrosse.

For the arena, it means:

• Regular high-level box lacrosse games
• Increased attendance and community engagement
• A consistent home base for senior lacrosse in Belleville

For fans, it offers something even bigger—a chance to watch competitive senior lacrosse in a setting that keeps them close to the action.

Why Wally Dever Matters to Lacrosse

Wally Dever Arena may not be the biggest venue in Ontario, but it represents something just as important: accessibility and growth.
It bridges the gap between youth development and senior competition. It provides a home for emerging teams. And now, with the Belleville Kodiaks set to take the floor, it becomes a focal point for lacrosse in the Quinte region.

In a province where lacrosse runs deep, arenas like Wally Dever are where the future of the game is built—shift by shift, game by game.