The Town of Whitby has officially taken control of the Fieldgate Sports Complex, with the arenas set to open this weekend for the Ontario Lacrosse Festival.
Whitby’s largest recreation project, described as a “once in a generation” investment by the mayor, is now entering its final phase as the town officially receives the Fieldgate Sports Complex from the builder.
This marks a shift from construction to opening preparations and brings the community closer to enjoying its newest recreational facility.
The handover signifies an important milestone in the project, according to Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy, who mentioned that construction is “substantially complete.”
Town staff will begin preparing the complex for opening by commissioning systems, setting up equipment and furnishings, training staff, and completing final readiness activities – starting with the arenas which will open for the Ontario Lacrosse Festival on July 31.
Preparation work in all other areas of the complex – both indoors and outdoors – will continue ahead of the facility’s official grand opening celebration on September 12.
“The Fieldgate Sports Complex is a once-in-a-generation investment in our community’s future and priority action coming out of Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan. Today’s handover represents years of planning, collaboration, and community input coming together,” Roy said. “We are excited to soon start welcoming residents through the doors of this incredible new facility and see the lasting impact it will have on our community.”
Fieldgate Sports Complex was developed through years of planning, community engagement, and teamwork to support Whitby’s growing population and changing recreational needs. Once finished, it will serve as a hub for recreation, sports, wellness, and community connection for generations to come.
Located west of Baldwin Street South and south of Highway 407, this 15,200-square-metre facility will be a prime destination for recreation, sports, and community engagement.
“With the facility handover complete, our focus now turns to preparing it for opening. Over the next few weeks, staff will be testing systems, training employees, moving into the facility, and ensuring residents have a welcoming experience from the moment they walk through our doors,” said CAO Matt Gaskell. “We look forward to giving residents and visitors their first look at our new arenas during the Ontario Lacrosse Festival. At that same time we’ll continue working on outdoor amenities as we get ready for our official Grand Opening Celebration in September.”
Whitby’s newest recreation centre has been added to host list for one of world’s largest youth lacrosse events. The arenas at Fieldgate Sports Complex are set to open early specifically for this festival running from July 31-August 9.
The grand opening date is set for September 12; however construction progress has made it feasible for games to be held safely in both arena pads during this festival period.
DURING THE FESTIVAL ONLY THE ARENAS WILL BE OPEN while other facilities such as aquatics centre gymnasium walking track outdoor amenities remain closed until final touches including equipment setup staff training operational preparations are completed ahead of opening day.
This weekend marks an influx where thousands athletes coaches officials families spectators arrive from across province joining us over ten days at Ontario Lacrosse Festival organized yearly by Ontario Lacrosse Association!
The 2026 Ontario Lacrosse Festival happens across sixteen venues-including Fieldgate Mc Kinney Centre Luther Vipond Memorial Arena main venue Iroquois Park Sports Centre-spanning over ten days!
This event attracts more than five hundred teams along with around nine thousand three hundred coaches athletes competing within thirty-six provincial championships aimed towards ages six-to-twenty-one making it recognized globally as largest youth lacrosse event bringing close fifty-five thousand attendees annually!
An estimated nine point three million dollars were spent last year alone by visiting fans attending festival!”
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