Project Overview

The City of Thunder Bay is moving forward with the development of a new multi-use Indoor Turf Facility. This transformational project will deliver year-round, inclusive access to high-quality recreational space for residents of all ages and abilities.

Approved by City Council on May 26, 2025, the facility will be centrally located near the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and is designed to meet both community needs and long-term sustainability goals.

Project Timeline

• Design Completion: Spring 2025

• Construction Start: Summer 2025

• Facility Opening: Fall 2026

Facility Features

• FIFA-quality synthetic turf field
• Flexible field configurations: full, half, and quarter fields
• Seating for 500 spectators
• Dressing rooms, concessions, and leasable spaces
• Multipurpose community meeting rooms
• Accessible and inclusive design
• Transit-friendly location
• LEED Silver equivalent energy efficiency, net-zero ready infrastructure

See the Virtual Tour of the Indoor Turf Facility.

Conceptual design visuals provided by Critchley-Hill Architecture and Verne Reimer Architecture.

Budget and Funding

The total approved budget for the Indoor Turf Facility is $32.65 million. The City of Thunder Bay is moving forward with a fiscally responsible funding strategy that reduces reliance on property tax revenue by utilizing reserve funds, external contributions, and limited borrowing.

Confirmed funding sources include:

• $14.05 million from the Indoor Turf Facility Reserve Fund (including accrued interest)

• $7.03 million from the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly the federal Gas Tax Fund)

• $4.5 million from a Tbaytel Special Dividend, allocated through the Renew Thunder Bay Reserve Fund

• $3.3 million in additional support from the Renew Thunder Bay Reserve Fund

• $3.3 million through Special Debenture Financing, reduced from the original $20.9 million and limited to a 10-year term

• $500,000 from the CEDC Tourism Development Fund, supported by the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)

The City has submitted applications for additional provincial funding and is supporting a community-led fundraising campaign. Any additional funds received will further reduce the borrowing requirement and strengthen the project’s long-term financial sustainability.

This approach reflects the City’s commitment to affordability, transparency, and responsible investment in community infrastructure.

Partners:

Project History

Soccer Northwest Ontario (SNO) developed a new indoor turf project concept in consultation with others which they presented to the newly elected City Council in December 2022. Council directed Administration to undertake preliminary site studies and develop a more refined project plan in consultation with SNO. In November 2023, Council directed Administration to complete public consultation and report back on estimated capital and operating costs according to two (2) different building standards: i) the Ontario Building Code (‘OBC Compliant’); and, ii) the City of Thunder Bay’s Facility Design Standards Policy (‘CTB Facility Design Standard’).

Demand for Indoor Turf in Thunder Bay

Since 2016, the City of Thunder Bay has been systematically examining the possibility of constructing an indoor turf facility to address the community’s need for indoor turf sports capacity during the long winter months that we experience. Participation in turf sports have trended upwards over the last decade in North America, with Thunder Bay being no exception. Past end user sport organization surveys concluded that a proposed indoor turf facility could benefit over 6,000 users who participate in a variety of turf sports – soccer, football, Ultimate frisbee, field lacrosse, cricket, baseball in the city. Peak demand for access to the proposed indoor turf facility will be evenings/weekends October to April.

Alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan – “Maamawe – Growing Together”

The realization of a proposed multi-use indoor turf facility is aligned with the “Safety and Well-being” strategic pillar to keep our community healthy, safe and strong through creating equitable access to recreation and sport. The investment in the proposed facility will also support City Council’s strategic priority of growing our city.