News release

Newly Constructed Multisport Court Creates Positive Impact on Community

Entertainment and activities | October 7, 2016

oday, the City of Mississauga, along with MLSE FoundationCanadian Tire Jumpstart CharitiesRotary Club of Mississauga West and Peel Living opened the newly constructed multisport court at Springfield Gardens located at 3570 and 3590 Colonial Dr. Officially named the Ridgeway Community Courts, the space serves the recreational and sporting needs of more than 300 local-area youth weekly.

“It is wonderful how the Ridgeway Community Courts have brought youth together. It is a shining example of the importance sport can play within the community,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We’re grateful to our funding partners for their continual support of community-based sport projects. These projects have had a long-lasting impact in many Mississauga neighbourhoods and we are proud to add the Ridgeway Community Courts to our city’s legacy.”

To help with the construction of the court, the City received two grants:

  • $225,000 from MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
  • $50,000 from the Rotary Club of Mississauga West

“Getting this project off the ground took time and hard work, but it was all worth it,” said Ward 8 Councillor Matt Mahoney. “I am thankful to MLSE Foundation, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Rotary Club of Mississauga West for their generous financial contributions. I’d also like to thank our community partners such as, the Erin Mills Youth Centre and Peel Living who have shown their support with seeing this project through to completion. I am proud that a vision that started with the former Ward Councillor was able to be carried through during my term as Councillor in this community.”

The space for the Ridgeway Community Courts was provided by Peel Living to get youth engaged in physical activity. The space will provide drop-in recreational programming as well as sessions to coach and teach children about sports, teamwork and leadership.

“MLSE Foundation is thrilled to be involved in the Ridgeway Community Court Project and we believe in the power of sport to impact the lives of youth,” said Michael Bartlett, Executive Director, MLSE Foundation. “We are excited that the youth of Erin Mills Youth Centre took part in the extensive design process, ensuring this court is a true reflection of the community’s vision for the space. Thank you to our partners Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and Rotary Club of West Mississauga for believing in the collaborative vision required to create this transformational outcome.”

The new court will give youth in the area access to a safe space to play. It can be used by all ages and accommodates different recreational sports such as basketball, soccer, pickleball, tennis, hockey and volleyball.

“Sports equip kids for life by teaching them important life skills like courage, confidence and teamwork,” said Landon French, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, play and grow in a safe environment and the Ridgeway Community Courts will do just that, We’re proud to partner with MLSE Foundation and the Rotary Club of West Mississauga to bring this vision to life.”

The community provided feedback about the design of the multisport court during a number of planning and engagement sessions.

“The Rotary Club of Mississauga West is proud to have supported the development of the Ridgeway Community Courts,” said Jennifer Ngo, President of the Rotary Club of Mississauga West. “Neighbourhood residents have already expressed their gratitude for having a space where local-area youth can participate in playing a variety of sports. We’ve had youth tell us this court is a welcome addition to their community.”

The Ridgeway Community Courts officially opened on Friday, October 7. For more information, visit: mississauga.ca/recreation.

Background:

Ridgeway Community Courts

The multisport court will serve more than 300 youth each week and accommodates six different recreational sports: soccer, volleyball, tennis, cricket, basketball and hockey. Youth can access free sport programming to engage in physical activity. Peel Living owns the property and agreed to allow the lot to be used to encourage youth to get physically active. City staff will develop drop-in recreational programming for the space to ensure children are physically active. Additionally, the Erin Mills Youth Centre will use the space to coach and teach children about sports, teamwork and leadership.

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 MLSE’s teams, the Foundation funds the refurbishment of local athletic facilities and programs that support kids through sports and recreation. Set to open in 2017, MLSE Foundation’s latest project, MLSE LaunchPad, will be the first collaborative space in North America to leverage sport, education and research to promote social change. Since launching in December 2009, MLSE Foundation has invested more than $24 million into our community. For more information visit mlsefoundation.org, or follow @MLSEFoundation.

About Canadian Tire Jumpstart

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 300 local chapters, Jumpstart helps kids in communities across Canada by assisting with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation. Supported by the Government of Canada through Sport Canada and 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 one million Canadian kids and counting to get in the game since 2005. Follow Jumpstart on Twitter and Facebook to learn about how the charity is giving kids across Canada a sporting chance.

About the Rotary Club of Mississauga West

The Rotary Club of Mississauga West comprises of business, professional and community leaders from the west-end of Mississauga. Members provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace throughout the community. The club is non-political, non-religious and open to all cultures, races and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary’s main objective is service in the community, workplace and throughout the world.

Media Contact:
Karen Flores
Senior Communications Advisor
City of Mississauga
905-615-3200, ext. 5053
Karen.Flores@mississauga.ca
TTY: 905-896-5151