East Gwillimbury, ON, June 15, 2026 — Brian Johns, candidate for Mayor, today announced a series of commitments to modernize East Gwillimbury's sports and recreation infrastructure, with endorsements from major community sporting organizations including East Gwillimbury Soccer Club, East Gwillimbury Minor Softball Association, East Gwillimbury Eagles Basketball Club, and the newly formed East Gwillimbury Cricket Association.
At the centre of the announcement is a commitment to advance the development of an enclosed sports dome and lit artificial turf fields, delivered through best practices to maximize community benefit. Johns also committed to the expansion and grouping of baseball and softball diamonds with lights, continuing the Town's tennis court resurfacing program, advancing dedicated indoor and outdoor pickleball infrastructure, and expanding the Queensville tennis courts.
To ensure infrastructure decisions reflect every part of the community, Johns will also establish a Sports Committee with representation from all local sporting organizations — including emerging sports like cricket and futsal alongside established programs.
"East Gwillimbury is one of the fastest-growing communities in Ontario, and our sports infrastructure has to keep pace," said Johns. "Our kids shouldn't have to leave town to play the sports they love. I'm grateful to the organizations standing with us today — they're the ones who know what our community needs, and they're the ones who will help us get it done."
East Gwillimbury Soccer Club praised the plan as a turning point for recreation in the Town: "East Gwillimbury is at a pivotal moment. With our population growing rapidly, we need a vision for recreation that matches the pace and ambition of our community. The commitment to advancing a sports dome and lit artificial turf fields is especially important — for families, coaches, and athletes, this means reliable access to training and games regardless of weather. This pledge positions East Gwillimbury not just as a town that keeps up with growth, but as a regional leader in recreation, capable of hosting tournaments, attracting visitors, and supporting local businesses."
Ronni Foster, Treasurer of the East Gwillimbury Minor Softball Association highlighted Brian's direct engagement with the sports community: "Continuing my father's legacy with East Gwillimbury Minor Softball Association has always been important to me. As our community has grown, our softball infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. Brian was the first councillor to proactively reach out to our organization and ask what we needed — a level of engagement we hadn't experienced before. His commitment to listening, following through, and advocating for local sports has made a meaningful difference."
East Gwillimbury Eagles Basketball Club endorsed the broader investment in youth sport: "Eagles Basketball Club is proud to endorse Brian Johns' platform and his commitment to strengthening sports and recreation opportunities in East Gwillimbury. As a youth basketball organization, we believe access to quality, year-round sports infrastructure is essential for developing athletes, supporting families, and building a stronger community. We look forward to seeing continued support for basketball, volleyball, and other sports that help young athletes train, grow, compete, and thrive close to home."
The East Gwillimbury Cricket Association, representing one of the Town's newest sporting communities, welcomed the inclusion of emerging sports in the plan: "As a newly formed cricket association in East Gwillimbury, we wholly welcome Brian Johns' plan for expanded infrastructure within the community. A Sports Committee within the Town of East Gwillimbury will serve all of us in a productive way in advancing our common goals together."
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