Whitby Council Approves Next Steps for Luther Vipond Memorial Arena

New use will help expand indoor space for local floor-based sports

Whitby Town Council has approved next steps for Luther Vipond Memorial Arena, expanding local play and training space for floor-based sports like lacrosse, ball hockey, and soccer.

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. The Town will continue to monitor and evaluate use to ensure it is meeting community needs.

The site will also continue to host long-standing community events, including the Brooklin Spring Fair.

A longer-term vision for the site will be explored through a new Brooklin Memorial Park Master Plan planned for development in 2029.

Quotes

“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.”

    - Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby

Quick Facts

• 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.
• More than 1,300 people participated in an online survey, with several hundred more taking part in in-person and virtual engagement sessions. Results showed strong support for repurposing the space for activities like ball hockey, lacrosse, soccer and other recreational uses, while maintaining access for local events.
• Under the approved plan, the Town will continue to run the facility, handling bookings, permits, and scheduling.