In just over one year Maple Ridge will host the 2020 BC Summer Games with up to 2800 athletes and 900 coaches and officials competing in 18 sports.

The City of Maple Ridge has embarked on many facility upgrades over the past few years including the new Golden Ears synthetic field, and an extensive retrofit of the pool at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre set to open later this summer.

“The City is investing $50 million in our recreation infrastructure to ensure that our fast growing community has the places for our youth to participate in sports and recreation at whatever level they choose,” said City of Maple Ridge Mayor, Mike Morden.  “The 2020 BC Summer Games will give us the opportunity to showcase the investments in these upgraded and new facilities and put a spotlight on the many dedicated volunteers and sport experts who bring these spaces to life. This will be a celebration of how sport builds strong resilient and connected communities around BC. We are honoured to be able to host up to 3700 participants from around our province in July of 2020.”

Maple Ridge Secondary and Merkley Park will be a hub of activity with athletics, soccer, and wrestling taking place.  Karina LeBlanc field at Merkley Park will host soccer competitions and it will be an inspiration for this next generation of soccer athletes to play on a field named after Karina LeBlanc who competed at the 1994 BC Summer Games on her way to winning a Olympic bronze in 2012 with the women’s national soccer team.

Soccer will also take place at Thomas Haney Secondary along with field lacrosse and indoor volleyball.  Whonnock Lake will see canoe/kayak and triathlon competition, golf will be hosted at Meadow Gardens Golf Club, softball will be at the Albion Sports Plex and Planet Ice will host box lacrosse. Venues for rowing, sailing, beach volleyball, and towed water sports will be confirmed soon.

“The investment in sport and recreation facilities in Maple Ridge is remarkable and will set the stage for high level competition and memorable experiences at the 2020 BC Summer Games,” said Alison Noble, President and CEO of the BC Games Society.

The 2020 BC Summer Games will take place July 23-26.  Maple Ridge previously hosted the BC Summer Games in 1983 and co-hosted the Games with Pitt Meadows in 1998.

See the full list of sports and venues here.