The Dresden arena will be renamed to honour an NHL player some say never forgot his roots.
Mayor Randy Hope brought forth the motion to rename the Lambton-Kent Memorial Arena to the "Ken Houston Lambton-Kent Memorial Agricultural Centre" at Monday’s city council meeting. The motion was amended to drop “Lambton-Kent” from the name to further honour Ken Houston’s memory.
Houston played as a youth for Dresden Minor Hockey before being drafted into higher levels of professional hockey. He played for the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Flames, and the Washington Capitals during his professional career in the 1970s and 1980s. After retirement, Houston came home to Dresden and continued to be involved in both local minor hockey and the community until his death in March 2018.
A number of representatives attended council to speak in support of renaming the arena. Close to 100 people left standing room only in council chambers, many decked out in jerseys from the teams Houston played for.
David Canon with Dresden Minor Sports called Houston a "hometown hero" and said there was only one thing done wrong.
“I think maybe we should have done this when he was still alive. He was our John Wayne,” he said.
Representatives from Dresden Minor Hockey, the Dresden Agricultural Society, along with representatives from the local Kinsmen Club and Legion spoke about Houston’s legacy on Dresden.
“What a better way for our kids to look up at a picture of Ken,” said Ian Avery, president of Dresden Minor Hockey. “And see all the possibilities of playing hockey in a small town.”
Members of Houston’s family were also in council chambers, including his parents, children and grandchildren. Mayor Hope introduced Houston’s parents, who received a standing ovation from all attendees.
Brayden, Houston’s grandson, plays for Dresden Minor Hockey and remembered his grandfather bringing him to practices and attending his games.
“I am proud to play in the same arena as my grandfather and it would be an incredible honour to play in an arena named after him,” Brayden said.
The motion to rename the arena passed with a unanimous vote and to a round of applause in chambers. Council plans to unveil the new name during Rogers Hometown Hockey December 15 and 16.