Vaudreuil-Dorion’s New Refrigerated Outdoor Ice Rink Named in Honor of Léo Dufour

Following the official adoption of a resolution at the August 10 City council meeting, the Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion announces that its new refrigerated outdoor ice rink will be named the Patinoire Léo-Dufour, in honor of a young resident whose commitment to sports, education, and the community has had a profound impact on the town.

A native of Vaudreuil-Dorion, where he also grew up, Léo Dufour (2001–2024) has embodied, through his journey and his values, the very essence of sports and healthy lifestyles. A multi-sport athlete, a hockey player trained with the Association de hockey mineur de Vaudreuil-Dorion, a passionate hiker, and an employee at the Centre multisports André-Chagnon, he also worked as a day camp counselor and teacher, passing on his enthusiasm, respect, discipline, and love of physical activity to young people.

The numerous testimonials gathered from the community, as well as from educational, athletic, and
outdoor circles, all highlight the same reality: Léo was a unifying, caring, and persevering young man, capable of bringing out the best in others. His disappearance during a hike in the Adirondacks deeply affected the community, sparking an exceptional mobilization and a surge of solidarity rarely seen before.

By naming this new facility after him, the City hopes to create an inspiring place for young people, where the values of pushing one’s limits, respect, enjoyment, and healthy lifestyles naturally come together in memory of Léo Dufour.

“Léo was passionate about hockey: he played for the Citadins and the Mustangs and got involved as a coach to pass on his passion to younger players. But his commitment to sports went far beyond hockey. In particular, he was an elite track and cross-country runner with the Club d’athlétisme de Vaudreuil-Dorion, played soccer with FC Trois-Lacs, and participated in many other sports, including competitive hiking, a demanding discipline he loved deeply and during which he sadly lost his life. By naming this rink in his honor, we are taking a step that reflects how important it is for the city council to recognize the real impact a young person can have on an entire community,” said Mayor Paul Dumoulin.

The Patinoire Léo-Dufour is located in a neighborhood already centered around hockey and recreational sports. This venue, dedicated to Léo’s memory, will continue to inspire future generations.

The City extends its heartfelt thanks to Léo Dufour’s family for their consent and for their trust in this initiative to honor his memory.