The Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company built and owned the Grand Falls Stadium.

The town of Grand Falls was incorporated in 1961 and that year bought the stadium from the company.

The first performance at the new stadium was a children's ice carnival followed by a figure skating exhibition by two Murphy sisters from Corner Brook on February 12, 1948.

On March 22, 1991 the stadium was renamed as a memorial to Joe Byrne, on what would have been his 70th birthday, in recognition of his lifelong contribution to sports in the community and the province.

Byrne, a Quebec City native, was hired by the Grand Falls Athletic Association to coach their hockey team and moved to the papertown in December 1949.