On October 23, 2019 the City of Ottawa approved the new names for our Blackburn Hamlet Arena and Rink to honour the contributions that Lois and Eldon Kemp made to our community. The commemorative plaques can be found inside the lobby of the Arena.
Lois Kemp
In recognition of the excellence and exceptional service to the Canadian ringette community and Blackburn community, the City of Ottawa has received a proposal to name the “Blackburn Arena”, the “Lois Kemp Arena”. Lois was a trailblazer in the Ottawa Sporting community. A resident of Blackburn Corners for 72 years, Lois spearheaded the formation of Gloucester Ringette and was the founder of Blackburn Area News (BANAR). She invested her time and effort to enriching the Blackburn community; she volunteered with the Blackburn Girl Guides, was the Parade Marshall for the 40th Anniversary of the Fun Fair, co-founder and president of Gloucester Area Ladies Ringette Association, which is the largest adult ringette league in the world, and co-founder of the Silver Spoon Ladies Tournaments. A published author of a book titled “Gloucester Roots”, Lois was influential in inspiring girls and women in sports. She was the first woman inductee of the Gloucester Sports Club “Wall of Fame” and received the Ottawa Sports Lifetime Achievement Award. Her endless drive and passion for her community and her ringette legacy will live on for generations.
Eldon Kemp
In recognition of the excellence and exceptional contribution to the Blackburn community, the City of Ottawa has received a proposal to name the rink within the Blackburn Arena, the “Eldon Kemp Rink”. Born and raised in Blackburn Corners, Eldon was the backbone of the community over the past 68 years. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy before becoming an active member on the National Research Council, for over three decades. Eldon contributed to the community life in many important ways; he received the Governor General’s Long Service Award for 25 years in scouting, volunteered a hockey coach and youth leader, was a member of the Gloucester Lions Club, was the Blackburn Public School Trustee, and founded the Blackburn Community Association. Eldon was instrumental in establishing and maintaining all community outdoor rinks and puddle rinks every winter until 1990. Eldon always carried a positive attitude and comforting smile, he was looked as a mentor/role model to hundreds of Blackburn community youth.
