Construction starts on Northern College’s sports dome

Northern College has broken ground on construction on its Timmins Campus Sports Dome.

The 130,000 square-foot multi-use building will be the first sports facility constructed in Timmins since 1982. The facility will accommodate space for numerous court layouts, providing a centralized hub for sports and fitness in the region.

“This unique facility fulfills a number of priorities for Northern,” said college President and CEO Mitch Dumas. “It provides a place for our youth to gather productively, the kind of facility that fosters social growth, while allowing space for local clubs, teams and organizations, and in doing so, raising the profile of our institution and our community as a destination for employment and opportunity.”

“The Dome is the first sports facility constructed in Timmins since the Whitney Arena in 1982 and places no additional tax burden on Timmins residents due to how we’ve funded its construction and operations,” Dumas added.

The $20-million project is partially funded through Northern’s capital reserve fund. The remaining portion of the funding is being provided by the provincial government and community and industry partners.

“The groundbreaking of Northern College’s new sports dome shows what can be accomplished when partners come together,” stated Ontario’s Minister for Northern Economic Development and Growth George Pirie. “Through a $2-million investment from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, our government is supporting active lifestyles, helping students succeed, attracting new opportunities and positioning Timmins for long-term success.”

Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks, and Northern College expects the facility to be fully open and operational in late 2026 or early 2027.