Town of Gander Hosts Official Opening Ceremony for Regional Soccer and Track Facility

Town of Gander Hosts Official Opening Ceremony for Regional Soccer and Track Facility

Gander, NL –The Town of Gander proudly marked a major milestone today with the official opening ceremony for its regional soccer, track and field facility.

Although the facility has been in active use since 2024, today’s ceremony formally celebrated its completion and recognized the partners and supporters who helped bring the long-anticipated project to life.

The event brought together community members, students, government officials from all levels, and representatives from the sports sector for a ribbon-cutting, first official race, and a celebration of the facility’s impact to date.

The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Dr. John Haggie, MHA for Gander, were among the featured speakers, highlighting the value of strategic investments in community infrastructure and healthy, active living.

Announced in 2020, the $6.7 million project was funded through all three levels of government. The facility includes a FIFA-regulation turf soccer field, a 400-metre, eight-lane track, field event areas, bleachers, lighting, and newly constructed washroom, changing, and storage facilities.

As residents and visitors alike take to the field and track, the Town of Gander looks forward to the many opportunities this space will create in the years ahead.

Quotes:

“This facility is more than just a field. It’s a strategic investment in our community’s future. By creating high-quality, multi-use infrastructure, we’re not only supporting local athletes, but we’re also strengthening Gander’s position as a regional hub for sport, events, and active living. Today is about celebrating how far we’ve come and what’s still to come. We’re grateful to our federal and provincial partners for their investment in Gander and their support in delivering a facility that benefits the entire region.”

Mayor Percy Farwell

Town of Gander

“The new sport multiplex facility in Gander will serve as an important community hub and promote healthy and active lifestyles for many years to come. The international regulation-sized soccer field and running track will provide residents with access to state-of-the-art recreational infrastructure and the Town with the opportunity to showcase their renowned hospitality when hosting tournaments and competitions.”

Honourable Joanne Thompson

Minister of Fisheries

“Investing in modern, accessible recreation infrastructure is essential to the well-being of residents and contributes to healthy and resilient communities. Our government is proud to work collaboratively with our federal and municipal partners on such important infrastructure initiatives like the new multiplex sports facility in Gander that will be an important hub for the town for many years.”

Honourable Elvis Loveless

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“I was very pleased to work with the Town of Gander and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as our federal counterparts, to help bring this project to fruition. To have a facility such as this in our community shows our commitment to supporting healthy, active lifestyles. Gander’s location as a regional hub is ideal as a sporting and recreational centre. Congratulations to all who have been involved in making this a reality.”

Honourable John Haggie

MHA for the District of Gander

Media Contacts:

Kayla White

Manager of Communications, Branding & Partnerships

Town of Gander

communications@gandercanada.com

709-651-5909

Sofia Ouslis

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Melony O’Neill

Director of Communications

Transportation and Infrastructure

709-729-3015; 709-689-0928

Jackie Watkins

Constituency Assistant to the Honourable John Haggie

709-256-3729