Massive beach volleyball complex coming to London airport
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A massive beach volleyball complex is planned to open at the London International Airport next year, officials announced on Thursday.
The Beach Hanger, a six-court beach volleyball space that’s billed as Ontario’s only tournament-calibre facility, will feature more than 2,100 square metres of playing space with nine-metre ceilings.
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Set to open in January 2025, founders Kyla Woodcock and Dave Ward, the duo behind the Forest City Sport & Social Club, believe it will become a community destination.
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“Our vision is to create a vibrant, inclusive environment where athletes of all skill levels can come together to play, socialize, compete, and enjoy the spirit of the game, in a space that is best-in-class,” Woodcock said in a statement.
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The closure of Spikes Volleyball – an indoor beach volleyball venue that shuttered in 2023 after 26 years in operation – left London without a year-round venue for the sport.
But the airport venue won’t just be for volleyball. The space, featuring a spectators lounge with a licensed bar, can also be used for dodge ball, soccer, badminton and other sports and activities, officials say.
“New recreational spaces of this calibre don’t come along very often,” Tourism London’s director of sports tourism, Zanth Jarvis, said in the statement. “It’s a significant addition to our city’s recreational and tourism infrastructure that will help bring new national and international sport events to the city.”
The venture is touted as a significant public-private collaboration.
“Integrating the Beach Hangar within our property aligns with our vision to enhance the airport’s role as a signature destination in our community and around the world,” London International Airport chief executive Scott McFadzen said in the statement. “It’s a unique venture that showcases innovative use of space and supports local land development.”
The airport also opened an outdoor pickleball court in 2022 that’s free to use.
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Read More: Massive beach volleyball complex coming to London airport 2024-02-29 17:08:12