David Ronald Bell was born on November 8, 1912 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He began his career with Canada Post in 1932, serving in Humboldt, Melfort, Prince George and Saskatoon before retiring as a field officer in 1973. Ron was active in the Humboldt Museum, Oddfellows Lodge, Royal Canadian Legion, Westminster United Church, Curling club and Golf club

In 1936, a group of Saskatoon business men began a campaign to raise funds to build an artificial ice ring for the City. In 1937 they formed the Saskatoon Arena Limited with L.D. Peterkin as President and R.J. Norman Couch as Managing Secretary. The campaign raised about $50,000 from shareholders subscriptions and $13,000 from the City and the province in the form of relief payments. The Collegiate Board agreed to sell the site in return for a 10 year guarantee of free hockey and skating time for school children. The cornerstone was laid on 18 September and the first game was played on 30 October 1937. The facility was run by Saskatoon Arena Limited until 1956 at which time it was leased by the City. In 1958 the City purchased the rink outright