City seeks public input on commemorative naming proposals

The City of Ottawa is conducting public consultations on six separate commemorative naming proposals to:

• Name the board room at Sandy Hill Community Centre, located at 250 Somerset Street East, to Alicia Natividad Board Room.
• Rename the skateboard park at 4101 Innovation Drive to Blair Aiken Skateboard Park.
• Name the meeting hall at Rockcliffe Park Community Centre, located at 380 Springfield Road, to the Jane Dobell Meeting Hall.
• Name the pavilion at A.Y. Jackson Park, located at 1102 Bridge Street, to the Larry Ellis Pavilion.
• Rename the skateboard park at 1490 Youville Drive to Stefan Wenek Skateboard Park.
• Rename the neighbourhood park at 1756 Grey Nuns Drive to Trèva Cousineau Park.

Alicia Natividad Board Room (Ward 12 – Rideau-Vanier) In recognition Alicia Natividad’s dedication to community service, the City has been asked to name a board room, located at 250 Somerset Street, Sandy Hill Community Centre, the “Alicia Natividad Board Room." Alicia Navidad was the first Filipino lawyer to be called to the Ontario and has been a trailblazer for women in leadership roles, encouraging women of all cultures to become leaders in politics, society, and within their communities. She is the recipient of both the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the Order of Ottawa (2015), and the Most Outstanding Filipino-Canadian Award (2003), amongst other notable citations. Alicia’s commitment to the Ottawa community has garnered support from the Ottawa Distinguished Women. Blair Aiken Skateboard Park (Ward 4 – Kanata North) In recognition of the Blair Aiken’s exceptional courage, the City has been asked to rename the Innovation Skateboard Park located at 4101 Innovation Drive, the “Blair Aiken Skateboard Park.” In 2010, then 16-year-old Blair Aiken, an avid skateboarder, and a friend risked their lives by running into a burning home in Dunrobin to ensure it was empty. The unbearable heavy smoke forced them out of the home. However, Blair Aitken noticed that a vehicle was blocking the path for the emergency response, and he re-entered the home for thes key to move the vehicle out of the way. Blair and his friend’s bravery was honoured with a Certificate of Merit by the Ottawa Police Service. Today, Blair builds skateboard parks across Canada, many in remote First Nations and Métis settlements. Jane Dobell Meeting Hall (Ward 13 – Rideau-Rockcliffe) In recognition of Jane Dobell’s community and public service, the City has been asked to name a meeting hall, located at 380 Springfield Drive, Rockcliffe Park Community Centre, “Jane Dobell Meeting Hall”. Jane Dobell spent over 65 years as a dedicated advocate for education and literacy during her service with Ottawa Board of Education and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. Her commitment to bilingualism, volunteerism, and community engagement raised thousands of dollars for education and literacy programs across the city. Jane was a recipient of the Order of Ottawa in 2017. Larry Ellis Pavilion (Ward 21 – Rideau-Jock) In recognition of Larry Eliis’ achievements that are of local historic or cultural significance, the City has been asked to name a pavilion, located at 1102 Bridge Street, A.Y. Jackson Park, “Larry Ellis Pavilion.” Larry Ellis, Manotick’s unofficial Town Historian, had a great passion for history - particularly Eastern Ontario and the Manotick area, leading to the production of several local history books and the creation of a Government of Canada official stamp of Watson’s Mill. Larry was awarded several honours including the Award for Civic Heritage, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). Stefan Wenek Skateboard Park (Ward 2 – Orléans West-Innes) In recognition of Stefan Weneks’ exceptional dedication to community service, the City has been asked to rename the SK8 Extreme Park, located at 1490 Youville Drive, “Stefan Wenek Skateboard Park.” Stefan Wenek played a significant role in the development of Ottawa’s skateboarding community and culture as co-founder of Top of the World, Ottawa’s oldest skateboard shop. He actively gave his time and effort to create an inclusive skateboarding community by using his unique ability to foster connections to unite skaters from different generations and backgrounds. Trèva Cousineau Park (Ward 2 – Orléans West-Innes)           In recognition of Trèva Cousineau’s dedication to community service, the City has been asked to rename Glen Park, located at 1756 Grey Nuns Drive, “Trèva Cousineau Park.” Trèva Cousineau has worked for 50 years to defend and promote the Franco-Ontarian community, serving in professional roles such as Executive Director of the Catholic Education Council for Francophones of Ontario. Trèva has also volunteered countless hours by serving on numerous boards and committees that have included the Council of Franco-Ontarian Affaires, the Advisory Group on the Management of French-Language Education, and currently, the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans (MIFO), earning her numerous accolades including ACFOs ‘Citizen of the Year’ (2007), l’Ordre des francophones d’Amérique (2014), the Remarkable Women of Ottawa Award (2022), and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022). If you would like to submit comments regarding one or more of the proposals, please complete the survey on Engage Ottawa to provide your input. Comments must be received no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The next period for commemorative naming proposals will take place on Wednesday, May 21. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. 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