Garson Arena Renamed after Former Greater Sudbury Resident and Hockey Hall of Famer, George Armstrong

The Garson Community Centre and Arena has officially been renamed the George Armstrong Community Centre and Arena. Mayor Lefebvre, members of Council, members and local hockey associations gathered today for a ribbon-cutting event. 

New signs have been installed outside the arena. Inside, a trophy case houses George Armstrong photos and memorabilia.

On January 12, 2023, the Nickel Centre Minor Hockey Association put forward a formal request to rename the facility.

George Armstrong is a Hall of Fame forward and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team which won four Stanley Cup championships in the 1960s, one of the first players of Indigenous decent to score in the National Hockey League and former resident of the communities of Skead and Falconbridge.

Following the process established by the City’s Building, Property and Park Naming Policy, the application was circulated to Mayor and all members of Council, the City’s Executive Leadership Team and appropriate City departments for initial review of the naming request. A report was also presented to the City’s Community and Emergency Services Committee on April 10, 2023.

To view George Armstrong’s Hockey Hall of Fame profile, visit https://www.hhof.com/HonouredMembers/MemberDetails.html?type=Player&mem=p197501&list=. 

To learn more about the City of Greater Sudbury’s naming policy, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/play/parks-and-playgrounds1/name-a-building-property-or-park/.

Quotes
“Today, we honour not only a remarkable athlete but also a true community leader. George Armstrong’s legacy exemplifies the spirit of determination and excellence that we aspire to foster in our community. The renaming of the Garson Arena to the George Armstrong Community Centre and Arena is a celebration of his contributions to hockey and the lasting impact he has made on Greater Sudbury. It’s wonderful that we can come together today to showcase his achievements and recognize his extraordinary journey." -- Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre

“Our Dad would be proud and thankful, but at the same time he would feel embarrassed and unworthy of such a phenomenal and important gesture. We know he would argue that there are far more deserving athletes, hockey players or community leaders that would warrant this honour. He never aspired towards individual recognition. It was always about those who surrounded him. But those closest to him, his family, his teammates, his close friends, the Toronto Maple Leafs and anyone who knew him would say there is no one more deserving. This honour means the world to both the McCourt and Armstrong families. We are all so proud of his accomplishments and to know that his name will live on thru generations of young skaters, hockey players and people of all ages and backgrounds who enjoy all the benefits that a community rink provides, is a wonderful thing. Dad absolutely loved his childhood growing up around Garson, Falconbridge, Skead and Lake Wanapitei. He spent a lot of time in the outdoors, and it was a time in his life that he cherished thanks to his parents Fred and Alice Armstrong. If Fred and Alice, and his sister Lillian were alive today, they would be over the moon with pride. We will always be thankful. -- McCourt/Armstrong Family