Plans are unfolding for Canada’s first purpose-built goalball court at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s (CNIB) Lake Joseph Centre in Muskoka. The Ontario government is investing nearly $3 million for the accessible sport project, which is exclusive to athletes with visual impairments.

Once complete, the facility will offer a goalball court with specialized flooring and acoustic sound panels designed for athletes who are blind or have low vision, along with an accessible fitness centre and a teaching kitchen.

Angela Bonfanti, president and CEO of CNIB, said it will bring a legacy of inclusion. “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,” she said. “Accessible sport changes lives. It builds confidence, fosters independence, and creates a sense of belonging.”

The centre will serve local, regional and national goalball teams, creating a permanent home for training and competition. A wide range of programs will support recreational and competitive goalball players, as well as other adaptive sports and community activities to expand opportunities for people with sight loss.

“Goalball is such a unique sport for blind and visually impaired athletes and it can be tremendously hard to find a spot to train and play,” said Amy Burk, Captain of the Canadian Women’s Goalball Team. “I’m truly hoping this opportunity will help us reach other children and youth and expose them to the sport of goalball, and hopefully help us grow our program across Ontario and Canada.”

The project is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.