Canadian first, The Beach Hangar, officially opens this weekend with ribbon cutting, open house and celebrations with partners and VIP guests, including Canadian Olympians
The Beach Hangar (photo Jade Sumpton):
The Beach Hangar, Canada’s only custom-built public beach volleyball facility, hosts its grand opening in London this weekend.
Designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality volleyball spaces in Southwestern Ontario, The Beach Hangar features six tournament-calibre beach courts, complete with Olympic-grade sand. It’s the same Canadian-made formula by Huntsville’s Hutcheson Sand that was used in the 2024 Paris Olympics, making The Beach Hangar a prime destination for amateur and recreational volleyball enthusiasts as well as professional athletes.
With over 26,000 sq. ft. of play space with 30-ft. ceilings, and bathed in natural light, the facility supports recreational and competitive leagues, national and provincial tournaments, camps, clinics, drop-in play for adults and kids and private events for corporate teams and family milestones.
“The Beach Hangar is not just a facility. It’s a community destination where passion for sport and recreation comes alive,” said Kyla Woodcock, Founder of Forest City Sport & Social Club and co-owner of The Beach Hangar with business partner Dave Ward of Summit Sports. “Our vision is to create a vibrant, inclusive environment where athletes of all skill levels can come together to play, socialize, compete, and enjoy the spirit of the game, in a space that is best-in-class.”
Beyond volleyball, The Beach Hangar’s versatile space can host a variety of sports and activities in the sand, making it a hub for community recreation and sports tourism.
The Beach Hangar is also a significant public-private collaboration, bringing together the entrepreneurial expertise of Woodcock and Ward, with the support of the Greater London International Airport Authority.
Scott McFadzean, CEO of the London International Airport, said of the strategic partnership’s value, “Integrating the Beach Hangar within our property aligns with our vision to enhance the airport’s role as a signature destination in our community and around the world. It’s a unique venture that showcases innovative use of space and supports local land development.”
The grand opening weekend includes a VIP reception and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday and a youth skills clinic featuring Canadian Olympic Beach Volleyball Athlete Sophie Bukovec, as well as a community open house, on Saturday. Bukovec will return to The Beach Hangar later in May with The Northern Elite, to run a high-calibre training academy for youth ages 14-18.
Visit https://www.beachhangar.ca/ for more information.
