Thunder Bay, ON — City council has given its blessing for staff to enter the second stage of funding applications for the latest round of renovations planned for the Canada Games Complex, a project carrying a total price tag of just over $2 million.
The city is seeking financial support to upgrade the facility, which aims to align with the changing criteria of national sports governing bodies, including Canada Games, Ontario Games, and Squash Canada, as indicated in a report presented to council. The estimated total cost for these improvements is approximately $2 million, with the city contributing around $250,000 and the CEDC Tourism Development Fund adding another $140,000. Additionally, the city has requested $1 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and $685,000 from FedNor.
According to city officials, the applications have been accepted to progress to stage two of the NOHFC and FedNor processes, and council approval was required to advance. The applications must be submitted by the end of June to finalize the phase two submissions, and evaluations will be conducted by NOHFC and FedNor. Officials hope to receive feedback by the end of 2026. The city’s objective is to be ready to issue tenders and complete the work by the end of 2027, should funding be secured.
The Canada Games Complex upgrades would allow Thunder Bay to host additional national sporting events, building on the city’s reputation as a destination for major athletic competitions.
The proposed enhancements come amid a wave of sports infrastructure investment in Thunder Bay. Fort William Stadium has undergone significant upgrades including new turf and scoreboards, while nearby Delaney Arena is set to see improvements this summer. Construction is also in progress on a new indoor turf sports facility adjacent to the Canada Games Complex, and the Thunder Bay Community Tennis Centre recently launched its new inflatable tennis dome. These investments collectively signal a strong commitment to expanding recreational and competitive sports capacity across the city.
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🔗 Read the original report from CBC News Thunder Bay
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: Staff · 🗓️ June 15, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
