"Tremendous" is how event organizer Gary Patterson described the official renaming of the 'Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre.'
On Saturday people gathered in Dresden at the former Lambton-Kent Memorial Arena to watch it take on its new name.
Hundreds of people including NHL alumni, Dresden minor hockey teams, and Houston's family were on hand as Houston's grandchildren pulled off the curtain to reveal the arena's new sign featuring its new name.
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The name was chosen as a way for the community to honour the hometown hero NHL player who many say never forgot his roots.
"The people of Dresden are so proud of him," Patterson said. "He was the favourite son. He was the guy who went and made it big but came back and when he came back he didn't change. He was still the same Ken Houston. He was a constant and consistent guy all through his life. A friendly guy who always had time for people."
The other parts of the arena's name also have special meaning. 'Memorial' is an ode to the Legion who built the arena in 1953 and 'Agricultural' is to honour the Dresden Agricultural Society who donated the land that the arena was built on.
"All the parts came together and it was just a wonderful day," Patterson said.