The old gymnasium located on University Avenue burned to the ground in June of 1914. A student committee to discuss building a new gymnasium was struck under the leadership of Alfred Douglas Borden. They were able to meet during the 1914 - 1915 academic year, but the war put their discussions on hold. After the war, as the classes swelled with Veterans, so did the need for a gymnasium.
On 7 April 1919, students of Acadia Institutions together with the Alumni of Wolfville met in the Assembly Hall to consider the matter of a war memorial. A suggestion was made for a memorial gymnasium typifying the sporting spirit of the men who were in the army and support for the idea was strong. Throughout July and August of 1919, the Alumni Newsletter published lists of funding and pledges for the memorial.
Acadia War Memorial Gymnasium was dedicated to graduates and ex-students of Acadia University and affiliated schools who gave their lives in the First World War. It was designed by Halifax based architect Sydney P. Dumaresq, Acadia University Class of 1899. The building, of local quartzite with Indiana limestone trim, was built by Charles H. Wright during 1920 to 1921 at the cost of approximately $100,000.
The cornerstone was laid by General Sir Arthur Currie on 26 May 1920 on the afternoon of convocation. Sir Arthur Currie was awarded an honorary doctorate from Acadia University, the Doctorate of Laws. His fellow graduates consisted mostly of Veterans.
The Athletics Complex was completed in 1967 and the Arena added in 1988.
