LONDON, ON – February 29th 2024 |Founders of Forest City Sports & Social Club and Summit Sports are thrilled to announce the launch of The Beach Hangar, a groundbreaking indoor beach volleyball facility set to open its doors in January 2025 at the London International Airport. The Beach Hangar marks a significant milestone as Canada’s only purpose-built indoor beach volleyball facility, offering an unparalleled sporting experience.
Designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality volleyball play spaces in London, The Beach Hangar will feature Ontario’s only tournament-calibre six-court beach facility, making it the region's prime destination for amateur and recreational volleyball enthusiasts as well as professional athletes. With over 23,000 sq ft of play space, with 30ft ceilings, and bathed in natural light, the facility is designed to support recreational and competitive leagues, national and provincial tournaments, private events, camps, clinics, and drop-in play for adults and kids.
“The Beach Hangar is not just a facility; it’s a community destination where passion for sport and recreation comes alive,” said Kyla Woodcock, Founder of Forest City Sport & Social Club and co-owner of The Beach Hangar. “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.”
In London, the demand for sports facilities, particularly for volleyball, outstrips the available supply. The recent closure of Spikes, the city's sole indoor beach volleyball venue, has left many enthusiasts without a year-round play space.
Beyond volleyball, The Beach Hangar’s versatile space is designed to host a variety of sports and activities, including dodgeball, soccer, badminton, and more, making it a true hub for community recreation and sports tourism. The facility also boasts a unique mezzanine-level spectator lounge with a licensed bar and quality food service, enhancing the experience for players and guests alike.
Zanth Jarvis, Director of Sports Tourism at the City of London, heralds the Beach Hangar as a game-changer for the city’s tourism and sports economy. “New recreational spaces of this calibre don’t come along very often. 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 Beach Hangar also represents a significant public-private collaboration, bringing together the expertise of seasoned entrepreneurs Kyla Woodcock and Dave Ward with the support of the Greater London International Airport Authority. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering community engagement and sports excellence in London and beyond.
Scott McFadzean, CEO of the London International Airport, highlights the strategic partnership’s value. “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. It’s a unique venture that showcases innovative use of space and supports local land development.”
As the Beach Hangar gears up for its grand opening in January 2025, the anticipation among the community and sports enthusiasts is palpable. This facility is not just a milestone for Forest City Sport & Social Club and Summit Sports, but a landmark project for London, promising to attract visitors, generate economic benefits, and cultivate a thriving sports culture.
Mayor Josh Morgan adds, "The Beach Hangar is a shining example of London's growth and innovation. It underscores our commitment to enhancing quality of life and supports our vision of making London a leading city for sports and leisure."
The Beach Hangar is on the hunt for a culinary partner to helm it's dining experience and is actively scouting for unique sponsorship prospects to enhance its distinctive setting. Dave Ward emphasizes the venue's broader mission to foster community ties, encourage healthy living, and bolster the local economy. “With a commitment to excellence, the Beach Hangar aspires to be both a competitive sports arena and a vibrant hub for leisure, professional engagements, and family-oriented fun, merging the thrill of sport with the warmth of community connection, food and drink.”
For more information or to setup interviews please contact:
Jeff Sage
519.851.3689
jeff@sagecomm.com
To stay informed sign up via www.beachhangar.ca
BACKGROUNDER
About Forest City Sport & Social Club
Established in 2009, FCSSC has grown into a vital part of London's social and recreational scene. FCSSC offers its 25,000+ members a wide range of recreational sports leagues and social activities that foster community connection and healthy lifestyles.
About Summit Sports
Summit Sports, founded in 2021, delivers competitive sports exclusively for adults in London. Summit is committed to providing high energy game play at the best facilities, with certified officials, and excellent customer service. In its first two years Summit has grown to over 1,500 players.
About London International Airport
London International Airport (YXU) is Southwestern Ontario’s easy and comfortable airport. Convenient flights and affordable parking provide an enjoyable, stress-free passenger experience. From our airline partners to our tenants, we provide the support and infrastructure necessary to foster economic vitality in our aviation community and beyond. We do this while keeping things easy and simple, from concessions to leases, to operations, and across all areas of our business.
About Kyla Woodcock
MBA, Ivey School of Business at Western University. Successful entrepreneur in Sport for 15 years. Kyla founded Forest City Sport & Social Club in 2009. Owner of a real estate & home construction business, Kyla also owns an event production company. Throughout her career Kyla has held multiple Board positions with local non-profit organizations and raised over $8 million dollars for our community as a past Campaign Chair, United Way Elgin Middlesex. Kyla is a visionary, strategic thinker, community builder and experienced collaborator.
About Dave Ward
MBA, Ivey School of Business at Western University. Co-Founder of Summit Sports and General Manager, Forest City Sport & Social Club. As the former Regional Manager, Member Experience for YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Dave has had a key leadership role in opening four new, multi-million dollar recreation facilities. ADD NON-PROFIT WORK. Dave is a financially-savvy operational leader, talented project manager and team leader who makes great ideas a reality for our community.
