Owen Sound Celebrates Legacy of Service with Naming of Arlene Wright and Ovid Jackson Atriums

The City of Owen Sound is recognizing the extraordinary contributions of two distinguished community leaders by naming prominent gathering spaces at City Hall in their honour.

Council has approved the naming of the two meeting rooms located outside Council Chambers, facing east and west, as the Arlene Wright Atrium and the Ovid Jackson Atrium. The naming recognizes decades of public service, leadership, and commitment to the community by two individuals whose work has helped shape Owen Sound, Grey County and the Province of Ontario.

A special renaming ceremony was held at City Hall on September 14, where both Arlene Wright and Ovid Jackson were present alongside their families, friends, current and former elected officials, staff and community members. During the ceremony, attendees gathered in the newly named atriums, located outside Council Chambers, to celebrate the lasting contributions each honouree has made to Owen Sound and beyond.

Arlene Wright Atrium

The Arlene Wright Atrium is named in recognition of a lifetime of dedicated public service spanning more than four decades.

Arlene Wright served 16 years as a School Board Trustee, including nine years as Chair, and became the first President of the newly formed Ontario Public School Boards. She later served as an Education Improvement Commissioner, appointed by the Province of Ontario to help guide school board amalgamations across Ontario.

Her commitment to local government was equally significant. Wright served 16 years on Owen Sound City Council, including 12 years as Deputy Mayor. She was elected by her peers as the second woman to serve as Warden of Grey County and the first Warden from Owen Sound in nearly 100 years. She also devoted 17 years of service to the Owen Sound Police Services Board, including six years as Chair.

Her leadership, commitment and dedication to public service have left a lasting impact on the community she proudly served.

Ovid Jackson Atrium

The Ovid Jackson Atrium is named in recognition of a lifetime of public service and community leadership.

After immigrating to Canada with his wife, Verona, Jackson became a teacher in Owen Sound before embarking on a distinguished career in municipal and federal politics. He served 18 years in municipal government, including 10 years as Mayor of Owen Sound. As the second Black mayor elected in Canada, he championed the city's role as the region's hub and helped secure important investments, including support for the Regional Hospital and Regional Airport.

Jackson was a strong advocate for the planning and construction of the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and played a key role in bringing the Community Foundation to Owen Sound.

He later served 11 years as the Member of Parliament for Grey–Bruce–Owen Sound, holding several national leadership roles and contributing to significant public policy initiatives. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2010 and received the Ontario Black History Society's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.

His vision, leadership and dedication have left an enduring legacy for Owen Sound, Grey County and communities across Ontario.

The newly named atriums will serve as a lasting reminder of the importance of community service and civic leadership while honouring two individuals whose contributions continue to benefit residents today.

Through this recognition, the City celebrates the people whose leadership has helped shape Owen Sound's past and whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

For more information, please contact Communications Team at 519-376-4440 ext. 1207 or email communications@owensound.ca

Quote:

"Public service is at the heart of strong communities. By naming these spaces in honour of Arlene Wright and Ovid Jackson, we are recognizing not only their remarkable achievements, but also the lasting impact they have had on the people and institutions they served. Their legacies continue to inspire community leadership and civic engagement."

-      Mayor Ian Boddy

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