The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has been selected to receive $145,000 through Airbnb's Host City Fund, supporting enhancements to local soccer and community infrastructure that will benefit residents for years to come.
The funding is part of Airbnb's commitment to supporting communities hosting visitors during soccer’s biggest event this summer in Toronto, the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with a focus on creating lasting community benefits and strengthening local infrastructure.
The investment will support several improvements at Town facilities, including new spectator bleachers, soccer nets, training equipment, storage enhancements, and the revitalization of a community meeting space used by local organizations. Together, these upgrades will support approximately 400 soccer participants annually and more than 1,000 community members who utilize the facilities and programs each year.
"This investment is a significant win for our community and will help enhance recreational opportunities for residents of all ages," said Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa. "Soccer continues to bring people together in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and these improvements will create a more welcoming and accessible experience for players, families, volunteers, and spectators. We are grateful to Airbnb and our provincial partners for recognizing the important role communities like ours play in welcoming visitors and supporting local recreation."
The project was developed in collaboration with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Soccer Club and reflects several long-standing priorities identified by community users and volunteers.
Planned improvements include:
- Installation of new spectator bleachers to improve the viewing experience and accessibility at local soccer fields;
- Replacement and enhancement of soccer nets;
- Procurement of new training equipment to support youth and community soccer programming;
- Improvements to equipment storage facilities; and
- Revitalization of an existing community meeting space used by local organizations and volunteers.
"This funding allows us to advance several projects that have been identified by our community as important investments for the future," said CAO Nick Ruller. "By enhancing recreational infrastructure and community gathering spaces, we are creating lasting benefits that extend well beyond the soccer field. These improvements will support local programming, volunteer efforts, and community connections for many years to come."
The Town looks forward to working with Airbnb and project partners to formalize the funding agreement and begin implementation of the improvements.
Read Airbnb's Host City Fund announcement.
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Media Contact:
Marah Minor, Corporate Communications Lead
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com