The Nanaimo Civic Arena closed in September of 2006. Since it opened in 1939 this is where Senior Men's box lacrosse took place in Nanaimo. The city is home to the Nanaimo Timbermen's lacrosse team. There are both a Men's Senior A and B team. The arena was an especially important place for the Snuneymuxw First Nation since many of the men's lacrosse players were from the Snuneymuxw community. "This was our other Big House," a member of the community stated at the closing ceremonies of the Civic Arena. It is interesting that many Snuneymuxw lacrosse players had strong feelings for the Nanaimo Civic Arena since a Snuneymuxw Big House once did exist near the location of the now demolished arena.

Doug White II, who coordinated a reunion for past and present Snuneymuxw lacrosse players to coincide with the closing ceremonies in 2006 said:

"The history of box lacrosse here goes back to our parents and grandparents when the Civic Arena opened in 1939." Appropriately, the Snuneymuxw First Nation left its mark on the Civic Arena when it closed. Joe White and Mike Good shot the last goals in front of an appreciative crowd. In 1939, Joe White's brother Don shot the very first goal.

Today young Senior A Men's players like Anthony (Tony) Wyse, Adam Manson, Tim Manson, and Isaac Thomas carry on the torch. Like hockey, the sport of lacrosse tends to be dominated by males, but now there are plenty of opportunities for girls and women to play and many are excelling in this challenging sport. When asked if he would encourage his daughter to play lacrosse, Tony Wyse responded:

"Oh yeah, for sure, especially for field lacrosse. One of my cousins, is going to university in Niagara Falls on the American side, and it's all paid for pretty much through lacrosse. Now she's like really good. She's a star everywhere she goes to play."

(From an interview with Amber Johnny.)