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Press Release

Monday, February 01, 2016

Université de Moncton celebrates 50th anniversary of J.-Louis Lévesque Arena


From left to right in the photo taken at the unveiling of the commemorative hockey puck celebrating the 50th anniversary of the J.-Louis Lévesque Arena: Raymond Lanteigne, Chair of the Board of Governors; Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor; His Honour Ronald Vienneau, husband of the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick; Her Honour the Honourable Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick; Len Doucet, former player and coach of the Aigles Bleus (men’s hockey); Kristine Labrie, former captain of the Aigles Bleues (women’s hockey); Suzanne Lévesque, Chair of the Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque and daughter of J.-Louis Lévesque; Denis Ross, coach of the Aigles Bleues (women’s hockey); Yanick Pagé, son of Ms. Lévesque and grandson of J.-Louis Lévesque; and Rémi Lévesque, former captain of the Aigles Bleus (men’s hockey).
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On Friday, January 29, more than 950 people attended festivities surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Université de Moncton’s J.-Louis Lévesque Arena (1966-2016). A reception and ceremonial puck drop took place before a game between the Aigles Bleus and the St. Thomas University Tommies, which the Aigles Bleus won by a score of 6-2.

Dignitaries in attendance included Her Honour the Honourable Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick; friends of the Aigles and alumni of the men’s and women’s hockey teams. As well, Ms. Suzanne Lévesque, Chair of the Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque, was in attendance to celebrate her father’s major legacy to the university.

At a reception preceding the game, Ms. Lévesque explained how the close relationship between her father, the Université de Moncton and its builders led to a donation which has had a significant impact on the community. “A big hockey fan, Papa could not conceive of a university without its own hockey team and arena,” she said. “After not being able to come to an agreement on the project, he decided to fund the arena’s construction completely on his own without any government assistance.”

Officially opened on October 4, 1966, the arena was built to meet the needs of the Université de Moncton to offer high-end services for athlete development. At the opening and benediction in 1966, Mr. Lévesque said that his “wish would not entirely come true until students who use the arena commit to training hard and having the ambition to rank among the best.”

In his speech, President and Vice-Chancellor Raymond Théberge said the ties between the Lévesque Family and the Université de Moncton were like a family. “Louis Lévesque, the father of Suzanne Lévesque, was a loyal friend and close advisor of Father Clément Cormier, the founding president of the university,” he said. “Throughout his life, he was a great champion of the Université de Moncton and contributed not only financially, but also through his wise counsel.”

Over the years, students have benefited a great deal from the generosity of J.-Louis Lévesque, one of the Université de Moncton’s largest benefactors. The foundation bearing his name has provided countless kind gestures to the university and has played a large role in its development and influence.

It should be noted that the J.-Louis Lévesque Arena was also conceived as a gathering place for public events and activities. Throughout the years, graduation ceremonies, community gatherings and professional sporting events have been held in the facility.

To highlight the 50th anniversary, a commemorative puck featuring one of the first photos taken of the arena and the Aigles Bleus logo was given to fans who attended the game.



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