Earl Armstrong Arena
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 Interactive map of Earl Armstrong Arena | |
| Address | 2020 Ogilvie Road Ottawa, Ontario K1J 7N8 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°26′15″N 75°36′05″W / 45.437619°N 75.601328°W |
| Owner | City of Ottawa |
| Operator | City of Ottawa |
| Capacity | 2300 + 1200 standing room |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Opened | November 1971 |
| Renovated | 1984, 2014 |
| Expanded | 1988 |
| Tenants | |
| Gloucester Rangers Gloucester Griffins Gloucester Gators | |
The Earl Armstrong Arena is an indoor arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is used as an ice hockey arena in the winter to house the Ottawa Canadians Jr. team and in the summer uses its slab for lacrosse where the Gloucester Griffins Jr "B" team call home. It is located in the former city of Gloucester, at 2020 Ogilvy Road, adjacent to Gloucester High School. It is named after Reeve Earl Armstrong of Gloucester township.[1]
The area was host to the first, inaugural World Ringette Championships at the 1990 World Ringette Championships. A Canadian team, Team Alberta, took home the gold medal and the Sam Jacks Trophy whose design was changed in 1996.
During the month of May 1971, the Earl Armstrong Arena opens including the Ogilvie Road branch of the Public Library.[2]
Immediately following its opening the Ottawa M&W Rangers moved from the then named Leitrim Arena and finished their regular season and playoff run there.[3] The newly completed arena proves lucky as the Rangers draw record crowds and finish their season in 1st place. They continue to not only win the league championship but the National championship as well which was then known as the Centennial Cup (RBC Cup today).
In 1975, the Gloucester Fair opens for the first time at the Earl Armstrong Arena. It relocated to Rideau-Carleton Raceway in 1997.[4]
On June 18, North Gloucester Branch of Public Library opens at 2036 Ogilvie Road. The former location in the Earl Armstrong Arena closed on May 15, 1984.[5]
On January 15, 1988, the Gloucester "Splash" Wave Pool, the first indoor wave pool in Eastern Canada opens. This was formerly Centennial Pool.[6][7] The pool is located behind the Earl Armstrong Arena.
In January 1988, the Gloucester Senior Adults Centre opens at Earl Armstrong Arena.[8][9]
