City of London:
The City of London is moving forward with plans to expand access to recreation and sport spaces for residents. City Council has approved a Construction and Contribution Agreement with the Western Fair District to redevelop a portion of the J-AAR Expo Centre into a three-court gymnasium and multi-sport facility.
Demand for gymnasium space continues to grow as London’s population and participation increases. This new facility will help meet that demand for court-based sports like basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, futsal, and more. It will also provide flexible spaces for programs, activities, and rentals for all ages, and leverage existing amenities at the J-AAR Expo Centre such as the stadium seating, parking and transit access, accessible washrooms, and concession facilities.
The City will contribute up to $7.2 million toward the redevelopment, while the Western Fair District will oversee design, procurement, and construction. The agreement includes a 25-year rental agreement to ensure long-term public access. This project builds on a successful history of collaboration between the City and Western Fair District, including the joint venture that delivers recreational programming at the Western Fair Sports Centre’s four-pad arena.
Finalizing a detailed design will begin next, and construction is anticipated to start this year. The facility is anticipated to open in early 2027.
This work is an important part of London’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan to improve capacity and access to gymnasiums, create partnerships that use underutilized space, and efficiently share resources in the community.
Quotes:
“Innovative partnerships like this help us deliver high-quality recreation and sport spaces for our growing city,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “We’re creating more places for people to play, connect, and stay active while making smart use of the resources we already have in the community. This new facility is an incredible addition for London.”
“We are proud to contribute to the wellbeing of our community with another innovative space along with our partner the City of London,” says Reg Ash, CEO, Western Fair Association. “Sport has a way of bringing communities together and adding another destination recreation complex to The District supports the continued development of a more vibrant London, strengthens tourism, and drives economic development. We are excited and committed to operate this new facility with pride.”
“The City is achieving more by working together,” says Cheryl Smith, Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services at the City of London. “This partnership will create one of London’s leading indoor facilities. There is growing participation and demand for recreation and sport opportunities, and families from across London will now have more access with this new first-class space.
“Sport tourism is an important market, and this new multi-sport facility will continue to position London as a premier destination for tournaments and events,” says Cheryl Finn, General Manager, Tourism London. “It’s an investment that will benefit Londoners and visitors, support local businesses, and showcase our city’s strong connection with sport and recreation.”
