September 14 ceremony, scrimmage game and public skate in honour of Grace Bowen Cobourg, ON (September 9, 2025) – The Town of Cobourg Community Services Division is pleased to invite the community to the Grace Bowen Arena Renaming Ceremony at the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) on Sunday, September 14 at 10 a.m.
The ceremony will officially mark the changing of the arena’s name to honour the life and legacy of Grace Bowen, a remarkable local youth who embraced every aspect of hockey while playing for the West Northumberland Girls Hockey Association (WNGHA).
Event Details
• 10-10:30 a.m.: The Grace Bowen Arena Renaming Ceremony, with emcee Trudy Stacey. Community members are invited to view a livestream of the ceremony on the CCC (750 D’Arcy Street) Bowl Arena’s score clock. Note that access to the building will be through the east entrance (Bowl Arena doors) only.
• 10:30 a.m.: The canteen opens and a craft table for kids in the Grand Hall.
• 11-11:30 a.m.: Cheer on a scrimmage game featuring Grace’s teammates. The Bowen family will drop the game puck.
• 11:30-12:30 p.m.: The community is welcome to enjoy a free one-hour public skate following the scrimmage on the Grace Bowen Arena.
SickKids 150 and a Special Delegation
Grace loved hockey and was a proud member of the West Northumberland Girls Hockey Association (WNGHA), playing at the CCC and rinks in the community. When she was eight years old, a sore knee started to bother Grace, which was revealed to be a broken femur caused by Osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer.
She received 11 months of treatment at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). It was during this time at SickKids that Grace struck up a relationship with Canadian ice hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser and Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds. Grace touched their hearts with her bravery, resilience and spirit.
Grace passed away in 2015, when she was nine years old. This year, SickKids is celebrating its 150th anniversary. In April, the CCC hosted one of the 150 SickKids, 150th Birthday Balloon Sculptures to honour Grace, whose courage and determination in her fight against cancer was of celebrity proportion.
The stunning sculpture represented the power of community and the incredible work being done every day at SickKids.
Actor Ryan Reynolds continues to be in contact with Grace’s parents and while on a call with Greg, Grace’s father, heard about the sculpture being placed at the CCC’s Pond Arena. He suggested the name should be changed to honour Grace’s name.
Reynolds made a virtual delegation to the Community Services, Protection and Economic Development Standing Committee requesting the name change on April 9. Later that month, during the April 30 Regular Council Meeting, the request was approved.
“The Town of Cobourg is proud to rename the arena in honour of Grace Bowen,” said Mayor Lucas Cleveland. “Her legacy will live on in this space as young athletes come together to play and celebrate the sport she loved.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
