Brampton, Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 – On Friday, May 17th 2024 Mayor Patrick Brown, joined by renowned Canadian soccer player and Brampton native Atiba Hutchinson, announced the official opening of Canada’s first-ever fully-lit soccer court. Named in honour of Mr. Hutchinson, the new soccer court is an addition to the future Century Garden Youth Hub opening in 2025 and will contribute to the accessible and modern facility serving the community and enhancing youth development.
“We are thrilled to bring this groundbreaking recreational facility to Brampton. The soccer court at Century Gardens Youth Hub will provide a safe and inclusive space for youth to engage in the sport they love or want to explore. This investment underscores our dedication to meeting the needs of our growing community and builds a culture of health and wellness among our youth.”- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
Mayor Patrick Brown, City Council and Canadian soccer player Atiba Hutchinson celebrate the official opening of the new soccer court.
The soccer court is a fully enclosed turf field welcoming residents of all skill levels and abilities to learn the sport and build on their skills in a safe environment. The court creates additional outdoor spaces in the community to encourage youth to be active and lead healthy lifestyles.
Brampton is proud to be home to approximately 150,000 youth ages 14 to 29. The City remains committed to creating safe and accessible spaces that encourage learning and offers a wide-range of programs to meet the needs and interests of young people in Brampton.
For more information about the Atiba Hutchinson Soccer Court, visit this website.
About Atiba Hutchinson
Atiba Hutchinson, the recently retired captain of the Canadian men’s national soccer team, is the most accomplished male soccer player that Canada has ever produced. He has been named the top male Canadian Soccer Player of the Year six times and represented Canada in more international matches than any other male player in history.
Quick facts about soccer in Brampton
The Atiba Hutchinson Soccer Court is Canada’s first-ever fully lit soccer court.
The new soccer court is designed with artificial turf surface and fencing.
Brampton is home to 133 outdoor soccer fields, three year-round indoor turf fields, four seasonal indoor turf fields (from November – April).
The City’s soccer amenities host over 525 unique seasonal organizations, tournaments and individuals that booked over 40,000 hours of field time in 2023.
Quotes
“We are thrilled to bring this groundbreaking recreational facility to Brampton. The soccer court at Century Gardens Youth Hub will provide a safe and inclusive space for youth to engage in the sport they love or want to explore. This investment underscores our dedication to meeting the needs of our growing community and builds a culture of health and wellness among our youth.”- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
”The opening of Canada’s first-ever fully lit soccer court marks a significant milestone for sports infrastructure in Brampton. This innovative facility, named in honour of Atiba Hutchinson, reflects our commitment to providing accessible and modern amenities for our community. The Atiba Hutchinson Soccer Court will serve as a hub for soccer of all skill levels and abilities enthusiasts and promote active living and youth development in Brampton. Thank you, Atiba, for your partnership in bringing this sport to more youth in our city.” – Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“As a proud Brampton native, I know firsthand the transformative power of soccer in shaping young lives. Growing up in this vibrant community, I honed my skills on local fields, learning valuable lessons of teamwork, resilience, and dedication. I am honoured to have the newest soccer amenity to join the collection named after me. I look forward to helping to provide the same opportunities I had to the next generation of Brampton’s youth through the soccer court and will continue to be a strong advocate for youth development through sports.” – Atiba Hutchinson, Renowned Canadian Soccer Player and Founder, The AH13Foundation
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to nearly 700,000 people and more than 100,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable, and successful. Connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca
About The AH13Foundation
The AH13Foundation was founded by Canadian professional soccer player Atiba Hutchinson. The Foundation focuses on youth athletic development with the belief that team sports, physical activity and leadership opportunities have the ability to profoundly impact youth and the communities in which they live. The Foundation’s inaugural event, the Atiba Hutchinson invitational youth soccer tournament, encourages youth to positively impact their local community by requiring teams to showcase the ways in which they are giving back as the form of entry to the tournament.
Brampton, May 17, 2024 – On May 11the day before Mother’s Day, Neville-Lake Park in Brampton was filled with warmth and solidarity of locals and guests gathered for the annual ‘Plant a Seed for Ed’ event, organized by Jennifer Neville-Lake in collaboration with York Region MADD and Many Hands, Doing Good. This gathering not only raised awareness about road safety but also paid tribute to the cherished memories of Jennifer’s late husband Edward Lake, father Gary Neville, and children Daniel 9, Harrison (Harry) 5, and Milagros (Milly) 2.
In it’s first year being held at Neville-Lake Park, local representative, Councillor Rowena Santos shared opening remarks for the ‘Plant a Seed for Ed’ event. The park, named after the family in 2019, recently received enhancements including a multi-purpose court and ground art installations representing the passions of Jennifer and Edward’s children. A basketball court for Daniel and a Planetarium Fitness Trail for his love of astronomy, a Word Affirmation Hopscotch for Harry who cherished the words “ I am” and a Duck Print activity for Milly who loved ducks.
“In the heart of Neville-Lake Park, we gather here to plant seeds of remembrance and resilience, honouring the spirits of those we’ve lost to tragedy, and nurturing the growth of safety, community, and hope for the future.” said Santos, and stressed the paramount importance of road safety, declaring, “Driving impaired is never the option.” Mayor Patrick Brown also provided remarks on the significance of road safety advocacy and the importance of collective action in preventing tragedies on the road.
City of Brampton was also represented through the presence of Brampton Fire, Peel Regional Police – Road Safety Unit, and Brampton Animal Services.
All proceeds from the event support York Region MADD and Many Hands Doing Good. These contributions will further their mission of promoting road safety and supporting children affected by trauma through arts therapy funding.
The event concluded with a powerful performance by Abe Drennan, a Canadian award-winning folk artist, who dedicated his song “Spirits Soared” to the memory of Edward Lake and his children. All proceeds from the song were pledged to support Many Hands, Doing Good.
About Many Hands, Doing Good:
Many Hands Doing Good is a charitable organization dedicated to nurturing and inspiring children affected by trauma through arts therapy funding. Founded by Jennifer and Edward Neville-Lake, the charity aims to empower individuals to create a positive impact in their communities.
