Toronto is getting a massive sports complex with year-round indoor domes

A massive indoor sports complex planned for Toronto will soon give locals a year-round venue for soccer, racquet sports, and padel.

Set to open this winter, The Sports Complex at YZD is the latest attraction planned for the former Downsview Airport lands as part of the decommissioned facility's long-term transformation into a mixed-use community.

Field Recreation Inc. announced the new facility on Tuesday, promising over 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor sports and recreation space, including two full-size soccer fields, a 50,000-sq. ft. racquet sports facility, and one of the largest dedicated padel facilities in the country.

"Across Toronto, demand for sports fields and court space continues to outpace supply," said Robert Ortali, Founder of Field Recreation Inc. 

Ortali says that "The Sports Complex at YZD was designed to help address the growing need for sports infrastructure while creating a place where people can connect, compete, stay active and belong."

Soccer facilities will take up the vast majority of the complex, with two 75,000-square-foot soccer fields — one domed and one outdoors — boasting professional-grade soccer turf, which will feature North Toronto Soccer as an anchor tenant.

Kenrick Sylvestre, President of North Toronto Soccer, calls the new facility a "landmark moment" for the organization.

"The Sports Complex at YZD will give our players access to modern, high-quality facilities while helping us expand opportunities for youth at every level," said Sylvestre, adding that the facility "will help us break down barriers to participation, build community and give more young people the opportunity to fall in love with the game."

Another key feature of the facility will be its 50,000-sq. ft. racquet sports facility operated by Premier Racquet Clubs, offering six doubles and one singles tennis courts, six permanent pickleball courts, and services like coaching, leagues, camps, and year-round programming.

Community access will be another important element, with plans to offer free community-use hours every week for local schools, youth organizations, community groups, and seniors.

"One of the unique opportunities at YZD is to unveil attractions, amenities and activities in advance of the full redevelopment," says Mitchell Marcus, Vice President of Place & Destination Development at Northcrest Developments, the firm behind the YZD development.

"Opening this sports complex will make visits to YZD an ongoing tradition for thousands of players of all ages, pioneering the sense of activity, connection and community that will define YZD over time," added Marcus.