Empire Sportsplex
Get outside, get active, and hit the courts! Playing sports is a fun way to stay healthy, connect with your community, and enjoy the outdoors at the Empire Sportsplex.
Constructed and opened July 2022, this facility is one-of-a-kind in Ontario and an asset to the Welland community and sport and recreation user groups across the Niagara Region. The Empire Sportsplex is the recent recipient of the Parks and Recreation Ontario Park or Facility Design Award. This award is presented for completed projects that demonstrate excellence in design of recreation and/or park facilities intended for public recreation use, and showcasing uniqueness, innovation, and creativity.
Court rentals
With affordability as our guiding principle, our rates have been designed to be competitive with other recreational facilities within Welland and the surrounding municipalities.
| 2026 Rates for community members and not-for-profits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single court rental | per hour | $13 |
| Double court rental | per court, per hour | $11 |
| Additional court rental | per court, per hour | $4.20 |
Example of a double court rental:
- Renting 2 courts for 1 hour = $22
- Renting 1 court for 2 hours = $22
Please note that prices do not include HST. * Rates subject to change
If you or your league are interested in making this one-of-a-kind facility your home, or you would like to host a tournament please email schedulingadmins@welland.ca
The Licensee/Permit Holder may cancel with a minimum of 20 business days written notice. The written notice must be provided to the City of Welland within the timeframe to be eligible to receive a full refund.
No account adjustments or refunds will be issued if no notice or less than 20 business days notices was provided unless due to inclement weather.
The Licensee/Permit Holder agrees to inform the City of Welland - Recreation, Sport & Culture of cancellation due to inclement weather on the first business day following the cancellation by email at bookings@welland.ca. Each weather related cancellation with be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
- 6 dedicated pickleball courts
- 3 tennis courts with line overlay for 6 pickleball courts
- 5 beach volleyball courts
- full-size basketball court
- 2 half basketball courts
- amenity building with canteen, washrooms, and office/equipment storage
- fully lit facility
If you or your league are interested in making this one-of-a-kind facility your home, please email coordinators@welland.ca.
- Open access is available seven days a week in May, June, September, and October.
- Evening and weekend open access is available in July and August.
- Jumpstart courts are unavailable during the day in July and August due to the Welland Sportz Camp Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For inquiries or availability visit The Hub. There may be times when Jumpstart courts are unavailable for a tournaments or events that utilize all courts
Canadian Tire Jumpstart gifted an inclusive multisport court enhancement as a sub-facility within the sportsplex. Key features of the inclusive enhancement include:
- pickleball/tennis court
- full-size basketball court
- 2 side court basketball hoops
- high contract play area for hopscotch and four square
- sport/para sport court lines
- shaded double-wide benches and bleachers
- 4 LED overhead lights
- 6 fixed-height basketball nets
- 4 double-wide entry points
The City of Welland Recreation, Sport, and Culture Division is committed to a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where differences are celebrated. All staff, participants, and facility users must demonstrate respect for others and care for City property.
External organizations’ responsibilities:
External groups using City facilities must adhere to Fair Play. Non-compliance may result in suspension of facility use.
Fair Play statement:
“City of Welland Recreation, Sport, and Culture promotes a positive, inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected. Staff, volunteers, participants, and users must uphold Fair Play, showing sportsmanship and integrity. Violations may result in suspension or a ban from City property.”
Monitoring and intervention:
Fair Play will be monitored by City staff, with interventions including:
- Verbal warning
- Written warning
- Suspension or ban from facilities
Documentation:
All violations will be documented and reported to the supervisor for review and potential consequences
General Court Use Guidelines
- Open Access time is walk-on-only play, not for league or club play.
- Non-permit players must relinquish the court(s) to permit holders for the hours and courts designated on the permit.
Court Rotation for Open Access
- Open Access time is walk-on-only play, not for league or club play.
- When there are more players than courts available
- Introduce yourself and rotate in
- Play one game and rotate off.
- Wait until all other groups have rotated in before taking your next turn.
- When a game finishes, exit the court.
- When there are more courts than players, there is no need to rotate.
- Please allow other groups to play without interruption if there are courts available.
2025 Hours of Operation
Pre-season:
Date: April 14 - May 16
Time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Regular Season:
Date: May 17 - October 13
Time: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Open access: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily*
*Open access hours might change due to leagues, tournaments, or events. Please check the Open Access calendar for our most up-to-date times.
Post-Season:
Date: October 14 - Mid-November
Time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Note: Pre-season and post-season hours are unstaffed, this means there is no access to equipment rentals or building access.
Empire sportsplex Code of Conduct
- Be respecful to all users, visitors, and staff
- No alcohol or illicet drugs
- Do not use abusive or foul language
- Do not damage equipment, supplies, and facilities
- Violence in any form is not tolerated
All users and visitors are expected to exhibit positive behaviour and adhere to the following rules for a safe and enjoyable environment
Contact
- Recreation, Sport & Culture
- Welland Community Centre,
145 Lincoln St., Welland, ON L3B 6E1 - 905-735-1700 x4000
- bookings@welland.ca
- /wellandrecandculture
- /recreationandculture






