In December 2024, the Canada Games Complex on the CBU campus will reopen after months of renovations. The Canada Games Complex plays such an important role for the campus community and the wider Cape Breton community. This project will not only bring life back to the building, it will change the face of sport, recreation and health on campus.

When complete, the Canada Games Complex will see a new accessible ice surface, a walking track and fitness facility for 7000 students and community members, state-of-the-art ice plant, electric Zamboni, expanded Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre and will become a multi-use space for convocations, conventions and other celebrations.

This fully renovated arena will also become the first Home for Female hockey in Canada and for one CBU Alumni, she couldn’t be more proud.

Erica Rudderham grew up playing hockey and loved the sport at a time when opportunities for female players were scarce. Growing up in an era with limited ice time for females, Erica's love for the game burned brightly despite challenges. Early morning practices, mini-sticks in her basement and games on weekends fueled her a passion for hockey.

Erica mostly played on boys’ teams, and despite being treated with respect by her teammates and coaches, she and many other girls had some major hurdles - including never having their own dressing room space. They often found themselves in cleaning closets, small offices or other make-shift dressing rooms. Erica missed some of the true teambuilding that happened before games, as she was often alone elsewhere in the rink getting dressed.

After high school, Erica came to Cape Breton University (CBU). In 2007, she played on the all-female Capers club team and the campus became her arena. Friendship and team-building with fellow players made for an unforgettable experience. Now even with more access, she still had limited and late practice time. She recalls not having the same access that male hockey players had.

After graduating in 2012, she came back in 2019 to coach CBU's women’s hockey team alongside faculty member Derrick Hayes. She knew the girls needed structure and the support of someone who had been in their shoes.

Today, as a proud mother to her daughter Jordyn, Erica is seeing a remarkable transformation at the Canada Games Complex (CGC), a place she once called home for her own hockey journey. With the Complex undergoing a significant change, becoming the home for female hockey, Erica is both proud and excited. She envisions a future where young female players, will not just play the game but thrive, break barriers.

From winning $250,000 in the Canada-wide Kraft Hockeyville competition, to rallying a community of support, the CGC envisions becoming Canada's first arena dedicated to girls and women's hockey, addressing nationwide ice time inequality. The initiative will include a fitness center, indoor track, and expanded healthcare services. With sustainability at its core, the CGC incorporates green technologies, showcasing CBU's commitment to a brighter future for female athletes and the community. The Home of Female Hockey in Canada signifies a dedication to equality, empowerment, and community unity.

As Erica looks towards the evolving Canada Games Complex, she sees more than just a hockey arena. It stands as a home for inclusivity, a symbol of progress, and a testament to the power of community partnerships in shaping a brighter future for female athletes and the broader community alike. The Home of Female Hockey in Canada is not just a title; it is a commitment to equality, empowerment, and the potential that arises when communities unite for a common purpose.