Luther Vipond Memorial in Whitby is set to expand its indoor space, including the local play and training space for floor-based sports like lacrosse, ball hockey, and soccer.
The Luther Vipond Memorial Arena, located on Winchester Road East, has served as a community gathering space for recreation and the iconic Brooklin Spring Fair since 1973.
As ice sports prepare to move to the future Fieldgate Sports Complex, the programming shift will help create more year-round space for floor-based sports, providing more developmental opportunities locally, said a town announcement.
The site will also continue to host long-standing community events, including the Brooklin Spring Fair. Under the approved plan, the town will continue to run the facility, handling bookings, permits, and scheduling.
A longer-term vision for the site will be explored through a new Brooklin Memorial Park Master Plan planned for development in 2029.
“This is a thoughtful and forward-looking decision that reflects what we heard from our community. Residents and user groups told us there is a growing need for flexible, year-round indoor space for floor-based sports, and this plan responds directly to that. Luther Vipond Memorial Arena has been an important gathering place in Brooklin for more than 50 years, and that will continue. By repurposing the space, we’re creating new opportunities for local athletes while ensuring the facility remains a hub for community events like the Brooklin Spring Fair,” said Mayor Elizabeth Roy.