City Gets $225,000 from MLSE Foundation & Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for Multisport Court

The City of Mississauga has received $225,000 in grant funding from MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. After submitting a grant application in March, the Foundation confirmed in late May that funding to build a multisport court at Colonial Terrace, located at 3570 and 3590 Colonial Dr. had been approved.

“I am very excited that we are moving forward with this project that focuses on bringing youth of all ages together in a common area to play and enjoy sports, ” said Ward 8 Councillor Matt Mahoney. “This new multisport court will directly support young people in Colonial Terrace and create positive impacts on this community.”

The funding will support construction of the multisport court, which will allow youth to access free sport programming. City recreation staff identified a need for an outdoor court in the area to get youth engaged in physical activity.

Mahoney added, “Projects like these are made possible because of the generous support of organizations like MLSE Foundation, who believe in the importance of community sport. Many partners around the table have worked tirelessly to make this project happen. I’d like to thank MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for funding the project and our community partners, Erin Mills Youth Centre, Peel Living, the Rotary Club of Mississauga West and the Region of Peel for their ongoing support and dedication to make this happen.”

A vacant parking lot within the Colonial Terrace complex will house the new court. The Region of Peel owns the property and has agreed to allow the lot to be used for the project. The space will accommodate six different recreational sports: soccer, volleyball, tennis, cricket, basketball and hockey.

“City staff will develop drop-in recreational programming for the space to ensure children are physically active,” said Paul Mitcham, Commissioner of Community Services at the City. “Additionally, the Erin Mills Youth Centre will also use the space to coach and teach children about sports, teamwork and leadership.”

The multisport court will serve more than 300 youth each week.

Mitcham mentioned, “We would also like to recognize the MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for their generous financial contribution. Their ongoing support of community-based sport projects in Mississauga has enhanced sport development across the city.”

MLSE partnered with the City to provide funding for refurbishment projects at the Malton Arena in 2013 and the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre in 2011.

“MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities are thrilled to work with the City of Mississauga to impact the lives of youth in the Colonial Terrace neighbourhood through the power of sport,” said Michael Bartlett, Executive Director, MLSE Foundation. “Mississauga and MLSE have a bright future ahead with our new team, Raptors 905 playing just 15 minutes away from this multisport court. MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities can’t wait to begin to grow the sport of basketball on a grassroots level in Mississauga and we’re ecstatic that the youth of Erin Mills Youth Centre will be helping us design this new space.”

The multisport court is tentatively scheduled to open in spring 2016.

Background – Sports in Mississauga

MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Announce $225,000 Community Grant to City of Mississauga
Mississauga Home to New Toronto Raptors NBA D-League Team – Raptors 905
Additional Outdoor City Sport Parks
City of Mississauga Sports Programming

About the City of Mississauga

As Canada’s sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 752,000 residents and more than 54,000 businesses, including more than 60 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area. Mississauga is focused on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money and maintaining infrastructure.

About MLSE Foundation

MLSE Foundation believes all kids should have access to sport and the opportunity to develop lasting dreams on the playing field. With the support of all four MLSE teams – the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and the Toronto Marlies – the Foundation funds the refurbishment of local athletic facilities and programs that support kids through sport and recreation. Since launching in December 2009, the MLSE Foundation has invested more than $15 million into our community. For information visit mlsefoundation.org or follow @MLSEFoundation.

About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity dedicated to providing kids from low-income families with the opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sports and physical activities. With an extensive, national network of more than 330 local chapters, Jumpstart helps kids in communities across Canada by assisting with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation. Supported by the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which includes Canadian Tire, PartSource, Gas+, Sport Chek, Atmosphere, National Sports, Sports Experts, Mark’s and Canadian Tire Financial Services, Jumpstart has enabled more than 960,000 Canadian kids and counting to get in the game since 2005.