Kehoe Forum Opens as Canada’s First Dedicated Women’s Hockey Arena
Date Posted: Jan 6, 2026
Today marks a historic milestone for gender equity in sports with the grand opening of the Kehoe Forum at Cape Breton University, Canada’s first arena dedicated exclusively to women’s hockey. This groundbreaking facility, crowned 2022 Kraft Hockeyville Champion, now proudly stands as the Home of Women’s Hockey in Canada.
Celebrating this achievement, Diana Fox Carney joined President David Dingwall, athletes, community leaders and fans to underscore the importance of equal opportunity and investment in women’s sports.
“I learned to play hockey in the UK where our practice times were 1:00am-2:00am, and we never imagined that we could get mainstream practice times,” says Fox Carney. “It’s great the way that CBU has championed the rights of female athletes. I think the Kehoe Forum is fantastic in terms of prioritizing women and making a point that women’s hockey is just as important as men’s.”
Originally built for the 1987 Jeux Canada Games, the facility has undergone a transformative $40-million redevelopment and has been renamed the Kehoe Forum in honour of long-time community champions Jim and the late Roma Kehoe. The renewed facility is also fully accessible supporting para and sledge hockey and serves as a community hub that includes the Nancy Dingwall Health & Counselling Centre, a modern fitness facility and multi-use event spaces.
“This is more than an arena,” says President Dingwall. “It’s a statement that women’s hockey belongs at the heart of Canadian culture and it is a commitment to equity, opportunity and the future of the game. The Kehoe Forum ensures that every young girl who dreams of playing hockey knows there is a place for her to shine.”
The Kehoe Forum represents a new era for Canada’s game, ensuring that future generations of female athletes have a home where their talent and passion can thrive.
Contact:
Lenore Parsley