Ontario Upgrading McHugh Park Soccer Field in Windsor

$200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund supporting economic growth and building healthier communities.

The Ontario government is investing $1,000,000 to provide a lower maintenance, FIFA quality artificial turf soccer field at McHugh Park in Windsor. This investment is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a provincewide initiative that helps communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario.

“The new FIFA-quality turf at McHugh Park is a big win for Windsor—giving our local athletes more opportunities to play, grow, and compete right here at home,” said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh. “I’m proud to see our government investing directly in our community—supporting active living, bringing people together, and helping Windsor thrive.”

The project will create Windsor’s first municipally owned turf soccer field and increase the city’s ability to potentially host high-level soccer tournaments and an extend playing season for athletes to train. The project is being further supported by the City of Windsor in partnership with the Essex County Soccer Association (ECSA).

“At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services for people while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “With investments in infrastructure like this, we are protecting Ontario jobs, strengthening our communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.”

CSRIF is a key part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers, businesses and families by unleashing the economy and getting more shovels in the ground, with a historic $200 billion investment to build highways, hospitals, transit, schools and other critical infrastructure across the province.

“The construction of Windsor’s first City-owned artificial soccer field is a landmark moment for our city,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “This project will meet the growing demand for year-round soccer facilities and solidify Windsor as a premier sports destination. Having the Province at the table with the City and our partners at the Essex County Soccer Association is a wonderful development for this project. We remain committed to Building Windsor’s Future through our parks and recreation amenities that promote healthy and active living. As we move forward with strategic infrastructure projects supporting quality of life, growth and sustainability, we are grateful to Premier Ford, Minister Lumsden, MPP Dowie, and the provincial government for the continued investments in our community as part of a robust plan to strengthen, enhance, and protect Ontario.”

The project end date is expected to be in the fall of 2025.

QUICK FACTS

• The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) is an application-based program providing a $200 million investment over two years. It supports municipalities, Indigenous communities, and non-profit organizations, through two streams: one for repairing and rehabilitating existing sport and recreation facilities and spaces, and another for building new or transformative sport and recreation infrastructure.
• Each year, Ontario invests $32 million in community recreation programs to help achieve active, healthy communities across the province, including Ontario’s After School Program, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program and the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund.
• Sport contributes more than $7.5 billion to Ontario’s economy every year, creating tens of thousands of meaningful and good-paying jobs in every corner of the province.