Aréna Gilles-Lupien officially reopened Saturday, October 3, with a community celebration featuring hockey legend Guy Carbonneau, family activities, public skating, and a Senior A hockey game. The event marked the completion of major renovations to the Brownsburg-Chatham arena and brought families, local organizations, and visitors together throughout the afternoon.
The celebration continued outside with children’s activities, including a magician, balloon sculptor, face painting, inflatable games, and movie-character mascots. A 50/50 draw was held in support of local sports associations.
Carbonneau, the former Montréal Canadiens captain who led the team to the Stanley Cup in 1993, was the day’s featured guest. He met with members of the public for a signing and photo session before taking part in the arena’s formal inauguration ceremony.
The on-ice ceremony also included Erik Lupien, son of the late Gilles Lupien, the former Canadiens defenceman and Brownsburg-Chatham native for whom the arena is named.
Following the ribbon-cutting, the public was invited onto the ice for free skating and music from a DJ under the theme “The Arena Through the Years.”
The day’s events concluded with a Senior A hockey game between the Montréal Atlas Lions and the Argenteuil Hockey Club.
The reopening follows a major renovation project intended to modernize the arena, which dates back to the 1950s, and expand its use as a year-round community facility.
The first phase of work, completed in October 2024, focused largely on the building’s structure and included decontamination, foundation waterproofing, roofing and exterior work, lighting, electrical and ventilation upgrades, and installing a sprinkler system. The second phase added a multisport surface designed to accommodate activities beyond hockey, including dek hockey, basketball, and futsal.
The municipality estimated the expanded project at $4.8 million in November 2024, including $1.4 million in federal and provincial financial assistance.
