Ontario Series Lacrosse Arena Series - The Iroquois Park Sports 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.


Iroquois Park Sports Centre: A Lacrosse Cornerstone in Whitby

By Gary Groob

In the heart of Whitby, the Iroquois Park Sports Centre has become synonymous with box lacrosse excellence. For nearly five decades, the facility has played a pivotal role in the growth, development, and celebration of Canada’s National Summer Sport.

A Home for the Game

Since opening in the mid-1970s, Iroquois Park Sports Centre has provided a premier indoor venue for minor, junior, and senior lacrosse. While originally constructed as a hockey arena, its adaptable floor space quickly became a prime location for box lacrosse during the summer months.

Generations of athletes have suited up inside its walls — from first-year house league players to elite-level competitors chasing provincial and national titles.

Supporting Whitby’s Lacrosse Tradition

Whitby has long been a respected lacrosse community within Ontario. The Sports Centre has been the backdrop for:
• Minor lacrosse league play
• Provincial “A” and “B” championships
• Invitational tournaments
• Summer camps and development clinics
• Junior and Senior exhibition games

Its central location in Durham Region makes it an ideal host site for league play across the Ontario Lacrosse landscape.

Brooklin Lacrosse Club: Senior A Excellence

The Brooklin Lacrosse Club, founded in 1961, competes at the highest level of Canadian box lacrosse in the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) league. Known for their red, white, and black colors, the club has built a storied history, capturing multiple Mann Cup championships and consistently showcasing top-tier talent. Playing their home games at Iroquois Park Sports Centre, the team not only entertains fans but also inspires young players in the Brooklin area to reach for excellence in the sport.

Brooklin Merchants: Senior B Champions

Complementing the Senior A program is the Brooklin Merchants, the community’s Senior B lacrosse team competing in the Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) league. Established in 2000, the Merchants proudly wear blue, white, and orange, and have become a dominant force in Senior B lacrosse. In 2025, the team celebrated its 25th anniversary and captured the OSL championship, subsequently hosting the Presidents Cup, Canada’s national Senior B lacrosse tournament, at Iroquois Park Sports Centre.

A Development Pipeline

The facility has quietly served as a development hub, helping young athletes refine their skills before advancing to:
• Junior “A” and “B” lacrosse
• Major and Senior "B" competition
• Collegiate programs in Canada and the United States
• Professional leagues, including the NLL

Coaches often credit the consistent floor time and tournament exposure at Iroquois Park as key elements in athlete progression.

A Tournament Destination

Each summer, the Sports Centre transforms into a high-energy lacrosse venue, with multiple games running throughout the day. Families, scouts, and alumni regularly fill the stands, creating the unmistakable atmosphere that defines Ontario box lacrosse.

The building’s size and capacity allow it to host large-scale events efficiently — one reason it continues to be selected for marquee tournaments.

Continuing the Legacy

As the sport continues to grow across Ontario and North America, Iroquois Park Sports Centre remains an essential part of Whitby’s lacrosse identity. It is more than a facility — it is a proving ground, a training centre, and a place where community pride meets competitive passion.

For countless players, stepping onto the floor at Iroquois Park is not just another game — it is part of a tradition.