Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a resolution renaming the arena at 5633 rue Saint-Dominique in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough from aréna Saint-Louis to aréna des Patineuses (“Women Skaters Arena”). City staff say the goal is to recognize women’s presence and contributions in ice sports.
- The name change applies to the municipal arena; the resolution does not approve the borough’s separately mentioned idea for a commemorative mural.
- After adoption, the city will send the new name to public-service providers. The borough may update the arena’s signs.
What it means for you#
- Arena users and the public: The arena will be called aréna des Patineuses. City staff say it has been closed for modernization since 2024, with reopening planned for fall 2026.
- Borough: The Plateau-Mont-Royal borough may update the signs. City staff say the arena’s new name is intended to help people identify the public facility.
Money#
No publicly available information on the cost of the name change.
- The materials give no cost estimate for signs or communications.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give a schedule or budget for updating signs and other public information.
- The borough intends to develop a mural honouring women in ice sports and roller derby, but the resolution does not approve or set out that project.
Case for#
- City staff say the name recognizes women’s past and present participation in ice sports, including women’s hockey, skating and roller derby.
- Staff say a collective name recognizes women’s contributions while fitting the arena as an active, public sports facility.
Case against#
- The existing name, aréna Saint-Louis, probably refers to the area’s history as the former village of Saint-Louis-du-Mile-End. The materials do not explain how that local-history reference was weighed against the new name.
- The cost of changing signs and other public information is not stated.