Aberdeen Pavilion The Aberdeen Pavilion ( " Pavillon Aberdeen " in French ) is an exhibition hall in Ottawa , Ontario , Canada . Overlooking the Rideau Canal , it is located in Lansdowne Park , Ottawa ' s historic fairgrounds . For many years , the building was known as the " Cattle Castle " , due to its use for the Central Canada Exhibition ' s agricultural exhibits and shows , and some people still refer to it by this nickname today . It is the last surviving Canadian example of what was once a common form of Victorian exhibition hall , and is now a National Historic Site . It is likely the oldest surviving indoor ice hockey venue in the world , although it has not hosted a hockey game in many years . It is certainly the oldest surviving venue in which the Stanley Cup was contested , having hosted Stanley Cup challenge matches in 1904 between the Ottawa Hockey Club and challengers . History . The pavilion was built in 1898 to serve as the central hall for the Central Canada Exhibition . Designed by Moses C . Edey , it was inspired by London ' s Crystal Palace . It was named after Governor General John Hamilton - Gordon , Lord Aberdeen who presided over its opening . The structure was built by the Dominion Bridge Company , and took only two months and $ 75 , 000 to complete . The structure consists of a series of large steel arches holding up the roof . This allows for a large and column free interior space of some 3000 square metres ( 36 , 000 square feet ) . For many years , the main purpose of the structure was for agricultural shows , and from this came its " Cattle Castle " nickname . In wartime , the building became an important military structure . It was the home of Lord Strathcona ' s Horse before they departed for the Boer War . In the First World War , it was the mustering point for Princess Patricia ' s Canadian Light Infantry , and it served as a general recruiting centre and the home to the Cameron Highlanders and the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards during the Second World War . Restoration . In 1982 , the building was designated a heritage structure under the Ontario Heritage Act , but it was showing its age and required significant restoration work that would have cost several millions of dollars . Given serious structural problems , the pavilion had been closed to the public for a number of years . Many of the structure ' s windows were broken , the exterior paint was peeling , and the words " Cattle Castle " had been ignominiously painted on the front of the once elegant structure . City Council agreed to help finance the pavilion ' s restoration , but the federal and provincial governments refused to assist financially . In 1991 , City Council voted to demolish the building rather than pay the full restoration cost . The fate of the Aberdeen Pavilion became a major issue in the 1991 municipal election , and in 1992 , City Council reversed its earlier decision and approved a basic renovation plan that cost $ 5 . 3 million . The newly restored structure opened in 1994 . Sports usage . In 1902 , the Ottawa Senators ( then known as the Ottawa Hockey Club ) built a hockey arena inside the Pavilion . In 1904 , the club played the full 1904 season and Stanley Cup challenges in the Pavilion . In 1918 , the Ottawa Senators nearly moved to the Pavilion and investigated refurbishing it as an arena . Ted Dey ( who had control over Dey ' s Skating Rink and The Arena was not willing to rent time to the Senators . This turned out to be a ploy to gain control of the hockey club . The City of Ottawa was unwilling then to restore an ice rink inside the Pavilion , as bleachers had been built inside . Current usage . The Aberdeen Pavilion accommodates many different events during the year . During Ottawa ' s annual Central Canada Exhibition in August ( popularly known as SuperEx ) the building features live animal shows , a petting zoo , and displays of traditional farm animals such as cattle , horses , and pigs . Each November , the building houses Canada ' s largest live trivia event , known as World Trivia Night . References . www . ottawasuperex . com www . worldtrivianight . com