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Ontario Series Lacrosse
Ontario Series Lacrosse Arena Series - Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre
As we draw closer to the start of the season, the Ontario Series Lacrosse League is proud to begin a special weekly feature highlighting the teams that make our league so competitive — and the arenas they call home.
From Classic Canadian Rink to Lacrosse Landmark: The Bayshore Arena Story
For more than four decades, the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre — commonly known as Bayshore Arena — has stood as a central gathering place for sport and community gatherings in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. Originally built in 1983 to replace the city’s older downtown facility, the Bayshore has long been celebrated for its hockey heritage, hosting the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League and other local teams.
But beyond hockey, the Bayshore has also played a vital role in the development and celebration of lacrosse — one of Canada’s oldest and fastest growing sports — evolving into a year‑round home for both youth and senior lacrosse programs.
The Lacrosse Legacy at the Bayshore
Lacrosse has deep roots in Owen Sound. Organizations like the Owen Sound North Stars (Senior B) and the Owen Sound North Stars Jr. B (Junior B) have long called Bayshore home, competing in provincial box lacrosse leagues and helping nurture generations of local athletes.
Throughout the summer months, the arena traditionally operated without a dedicated playing surface beyond its concrete floor - common among indoor box lacrosse facilities but one that presented challenges the ability to host higher‑level competitions.
Why Turf Mattered
By late 2025, discussions in the lacrosse community around Owen Sound shifted from concept to action. Teams and organizers pointed to the increasing requirement among provincial and national lacrosse bodies that major championships — such as the Founders’ Cup (Junior B national championship) and the Presidents’ Cup (Senior B national championship) — be played on certified turf surfaces to meet competition standards. Without turf, cities like Owen Sound risked being passed over as hosts for these prestigious events.
The benefits were clear:
• Enhanced safety and ball control compared to bare concrete
• Alignment with competition standards
• New opportunities to host provincial and national events
• Better training and development conditions for players of all ages
Turf Timeline: A Milestone in Lacrosse History
November 2025 — Proposal and Funding Request
The initiative to bring turf to the Bayshore gained momentum when the Owen Sound Minor Lacrosse Association and the Owen Sound Junior B North Stars presented a funding request to the city’s Community Services Committee. They proposed purchasing a used professional‑grade surface once belonging to the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), with total costs around $50,000 — including purchase and shipping.
Community Services Committee members responded positively, referring the funding request to the city council’s capital budget process and recommending $25,000 in municipal support, with the remainder to come from fundraising and sponsorships.
December 18, 2025 — Official Approval Moves Forward
Owen Sound’s Community Services Committee passed a formal motion to allow the acquisition to proceed, confirming that the city would contribute up to $25,000 toward the project. The North Stars agreed to handle the turf purchase and donate it to the city as an asset.
At this stage, committee members were informed that the turf could last up to 15–20 years and would be installed atop the arena’s floor each May and stored during the hockey season in a container on site.
Early 2026 — Installation and First Season on Turf
Following city endorsement and community fundraising, the turf was installed in time for the 2026 box lacrosse season. Local lacrosse teams, youth leagues and tournament organizers began using the turf for regular games, practices and summer events — marking a new era for indoor box lacrosse in Owen Sound.
What the Turf Means for the Community
The installation of artificial turf at the Bayshore Arena represents more than a facility upgrade — it symbolizes a renewed investment in community sport. Local organizers see the turf as a catalyst that can:
• Boost tourism by attracting national championships and lacrosse tournaments
• Expand youth programming and player development
• Strengthen the local lacrosse ecosystem from grassroots to elite levels
• Encourage community pride and participation year‑round
• Provide a modern venue that aligns with provincial and national competition standards
The transformation has also tied lacrosse more closely into the larger identity of the Bayshore — blending tradition with innovation in Canada’s sporting landscape.
Looking Forward
As the Bayshore Arena continues to host box lacrosse seasons on its dedicated turf each summer, Owen Sound stands poised to further establish itself as a destination for major lacrosse events. With improved infrastructure, strong local programming and community support, the growth of lacrosse in this Georgian Bay city reflects both tradition and progress — proving that investing in sport can unite communities and elevate local athletes onto bigger stages.