Ontario Invests $3.2M to Build Canada’s First Goalball Court in Muskoka

Province backs CNIB Lake Joe and Métis Nation of Ontario projects through Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

MACTIER  – Ontario is making a landmark investment in accessible and community sport. The province has committed $3.2 million to support two major recreation projects in Muskoka and Burk’s Falls, including the creation of Canada’s first purpose-built goalball court at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s (CNIB) Lake Joseph Centre.

The funding comes through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a $200-million provincewide initiative designed to modernize local facilities, strengthen the economy, and promote healthy, active living across Ontario.

Thrilled to join @Graydonthempp to announce that our government is investing $3.2 million in two big projects in Parry Sound – Muskoka through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund!

We’re investing $3 million to help build a new multi-purpose facility that… pic.twitter.com/R5tr7cwc7E

— Neil Lumsden (@NeilLumsdenMPP) September 11, 2025

A first for goalball in Canada

Goalball, a Paralympic sport created for athletes who are blind or have low vision, has long lacked a dedicated facility in Canada. With Ontario’s support, CNIB will build a multi-purpose facility at Lake Joe, featuring:

• A specialized goalball court with tactile flooring and acoustic panels.

• An accessible fitness centre.

• A teaching kitchen to support healthy living and independent skills.

The new space will serve as a hub for local, regional, and national goalball teams, offering a permanent location for training and competition. Beyond sport, it will host adaptive recreation and community programs for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision.

Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, said the project reflects the government’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

“Our government is proud to support organizations that are breaking down barriers for those who are blind or have low vision, empowering people and strengthening communities across our province,” Lumsden said. “These investments in the CNIB and the Métis Nation of Ontario will create more opportunities for youth, families and seniors to participate in sport and recreation, give athletes the chance to train and compete closer to home — all while protecting local jobs and building a more resilient economy.”

Angela Bonfanti, President and CEO of CNIB, called the new court and facilities a transformative step.

“With a new purpose-built facility, CNIB Lake Joe is opening the door to accessible sport and recreation in ways that have long been missing for our community,” Bonfanti said. “Accessible sport changes lives. It builds confidence, fosters independence, and creates a sense of belonging. This investment will help CNIB Lake Joe expand its seasons and programs and create a lasting legacy of inclusion for generations to come.”

Supporting Métis youth and families

The investment also includes more than $230,000 for the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Children and Youth Camp in Burk’s Falls. The funds will go toward accessibility improvements and facility upgrades, creating a safe and welcoming hub for sports, recreation, and cultural programming.

The camp plays a key role in promoting Métis heritage, offering children, families, and Elders opportunities to gather, learn, and connect with the land and water.

Sharon Cadeau, Interim Chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario, said the upgrades will have lasting cultural and community impact.

“Being on the land and water is at the heart of Métis culture. It’s where teachings are passed down and connections are made,” Cadeau said. “Through Ontario’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, we’re creating an accessible waterfront at our ELCC Culture and Language Camp in Burk’s Falls, so that more Métis children, families, and Elders can gather in safety, in dignity, and with a true sense of belonging.”

Building healthier, stronger communities

These investments highlight the dual role of sport and recreation facilities in Ontario. Beyond promoting physical activity and inclusion, they also support local economies by creating construction jobs and boosting tourism.

Sport itself is a major economic driver, contributing more than $7.5 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the province. At the same time, programs like CSRIF aim to ensure that sport and recreation facilities are modern, accessible, and responsive to community needs.

The government invests approximately $32 million each year in community recreation programs, including the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund and the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program. Since 2018, these efforts have been paired with large-scale infrastructure spending, part of Ontario’s plan to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.

Looking ahead

For Muskoka, the new goalball court at CNIB Lake Joe represents a national first — a facility designed from the ground up to meet the needs of athletes who are blind or have low vision. For Burk’s Falls, the improvements at the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Children and Youth Camp promise a more inclusive space for cultural and recreational programming.

Together, these projects underscore how local investments can deliver both social and economic benefits, ensuring Ontario’s communities — from cities to small towns — have the facilities they need to thrive.

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