Grand Opening of the Fortis Canada Games Complex Marks Major Milestone for 2025 Canada Games

Today, Mayor Danny Breen was joined by The Honourable John Hogan, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Tom Osborne, Member of Parliament for Cape Spear, Kim Keating and Karl Smith, Co-Chairs of the 2025 Canada Games Host Society, Catriona Le May Doan, Chair of the Canada Games Council, Gary Smith, EVP, Operations and Technology, Fortis Inc. and other partners to officially open the new Fortis Canada Games Complex.

The state-of-the-art facility was built to support the upcoming 2025 Canada Games and leave a lasting legacy for sport in the province. Supported by more than $34 million in joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador and the City of St. John’s — each investing over $11.5 million — the Complex is a major investment in the future of amateur sport and athlete development in Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition, Sport Canada invested $3 million into the 2025 Canada Games capital fund to support the new Complex and the land was donated by the Provincial Department of Education, Pippy Park Commission and Memorial University.

The facility is proudly named the Fortis Canada Games Complex in recognition of Fortis Inc., the first major partner of the 2025 Canada Games.

Key features of the Fortis Canada Games Complex include:

• A Class II IAAF Certified Track & Field facility with a 400-metre, eight-lane track and outdoor throwing area.
• A FIFA Quality Pro Certified artificial soccer turf field.
• A modern indoor multi-purpose training facility with locker rooms, accessible washrooms, administrative and storage space.
• Year-round training opportunities for provincial track and field, soccer, and other sports.
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certified
• Enhanced capacity for coach, referee, and athlete development, strengthening amateur sport province-wide.

The complex will be operated by Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (NLSC) — a Provincial Crown Corporation dedicated to managing high-quality sport facilities and supporting provincial sports organizations in delivering training, competitions, and high-performance programs.

This new Complex not only provides a world-class facility for the 2025 Canada Games, but also provides lasting opportunities for local athletes, coaches, and communities for years to come.

Quotes:

“The incredible Fortis Canada Games Complex is a game changer for the sport and recreation community. The increased capacity for turf sports and track and field events will mean more opportunity for our provincial athletes to train and compete. I look forward to seeing the complex shine during the Canada Games and thank all partners for having a vision and bringing it to life.”

- Honourable John Hogan, KC, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The Fortis Canada Games Complex is a smart investment in our city and in the future of sport in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will give local athletes a place to train and compete, support coaches and volunteers, and open up new opportunities for schools, clubs, and community groups. It’s built to last, built to include everyone, and built to help more young people get active and stay involved.”

- Tom Osborne, Member of Parliament for Cape Spear.

“The opening of the Fortis Canada Games Complex marks a proud moment for our city and province. This facility represents much more than bricks and mortar — it’s an investment in our young athletes, in our community’s health and well-being, and in the legacy of sport in Newfoundland and Labrador. As we prepare to welcome the nation for the 2025 Canada Summer Games, this world-class venue ensures we’re ready to compete, to celebrate, and to inspire the next generation.

- Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s

“As anticipation builds for the 2025 Canada Summer Games, the Fortis Canada Games Complex grand opening marks an exciting new chapter for St. John’s and for sport in Atlantic Canada. This new world-class sport facility will be the site of unforgettable moments for Canada’s young athletes, fuelling dreams and shaping healthier communities long after the final medal is awarded. It will be a place for community, athlete development, and premier athletic events. The Government of Canada is proud to invest in vital sport infrastructure projects that will leave a legacy for years to come.”

- The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)

"We couldn’t be more excited to host athletics and soccer at the Fortis Canada Games Complex in just a few weeks for the 2025 Canada Games. Nearly 1000 athletes, including para and Special Olympics athletes, will compete at the facility over the two weeks of the Games. Facilities like the Fortis Canada Games Complex are a lasting benefit of hosting the Games, providing a legacy that will serve athletes and the community for years to come."

- Kim Keating and Karl Smith, Co-Chairs, 2025 Canada Games Host Society.

“The enduring legacy of the Canada Games is what extends well beyond what happens during the two weeks of competition. Communities are transformed through incredible legacy projects like the Fortis Canada Games Complex. This facility will spark greatness in Canada Games athletes, but also in the residents of St. John’s and province more broadly who will benefit from this world-class facility following the Games.”

- Catriona Le May Doan, Chair, Canada Games Council

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of this facility. The Fortis Canada Games Complex is a symbol of our deep commitment to our roots here in Newfoundland and Labrador. It reflects the perseverance, teamwork, and excellence — values that resonate deeply with our culture at Fortis. Congratulations to all partners who made this world-class venue possible for the Games and for our community. This is a legacy we’re honoured to be part of.”

- Gary Smith, EVP, Operations and Technology, Fortis Inc.

“The Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre is proud to take on operations of the Fortis Canada Games Complex on behalf of the sport community in our province. The addition of the Fortis Canada Games Complex to the NLSC group of facilities enables us to provide more high quality training and competition spaces to athletes and coaches in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are committed to continuing the legacy that the St. John’s 2025 Jeux du Canada Games will leave our province.”

- Tom Godden, Chairperson, NLSC Board of Directors