One of many fields at the BMO Centre
The BMO Center, located at 295 Rectory Street in London, Ontario, is exploring a $30 million expansion to accommodate growing demand for its sports facilities. The center has been operating at full capacity seven days a week, prompting the need for more space to meet the needs of its users.
XFM News spoke with Tom Partalas, president and general manager of the BMO Centre, about the planned expansion. Partalas explained that the expansion would include either a new building
BMO Centre trophy case
or an outdoor field that could be converted into an indoor space. This, he said, would allow the center to better serve young athletes and provide more rental opportunities.
“It will be something that we need right now because we are running at full capacity seven days a week. Having another building or outdoor field that can be converted into an indoor facility would help us with the rentals and allow us to take care of more young players who want to get involved in the game,” Partalas said.
When asked about the steps needed to move forward with the expansion, Partalas noted that approval is the first hurdle. “We need to get approved first. It will take about a year and a half to finish the reports, including soil tests and other environmental assessments. Once we get that done, I’m sure we can get it approved,” he said.
Local aspiring soccer player Abdul Aukasha shared his thoughts on how the expansion will benefit youth in the region. “This BMO expansion is huge for the youth, considering all the new players being developed at such a young age. We don’t have another large facility close to us,” Aukasha said.
He added that the expansion would benefit not only London but also surrounding areas such as Woodstock, St. Thomas, and Stratford. “This will give the youth in these towns and cities a chance to show more potential,” he said.
Partales hopes the expansion will be approved within the next two years, allowing the BMO Center to continue supporting the region’s growing sports community.
