City of Brampton launches free sports equipment locker pilot in local parks
New partnership with Equip Sport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities gives residents free access to sports gear at select City parks and outdoor recreation sites
The Voice of Canada News:
The City of Brampton marked the launch of a new pilot partnership with Equip Sport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Jumpstart), introduced free sports equipment lockers designed to make outdoor recreation more accessible across the City.
The free sports equipment lockers make it easier for residents to play on site, with gear available to unlock, use and return at select parks and outdoor recreation sites. Credit: City of Brampton
Through the pilot, approximately 30 free, self-serve sports equipment lockers are being installed at high-use community access sport fields and courts across Brampton, with future expansions being explored as the program rolls out across the city. Using the Equip Sport mobile app, residents can unlock equipment at select City parks, play on site and return it when they are finished. The service is free to use, with no credit card or payment required.
The program brings recreation closer to where people live, making it easier for residents to take part in casual, outdoor play without needing to purchase equipment or plan around formal facility access. Equipment available through the lockers may include basketballs, soccer balls, frisbees and footballs, depending on the location. A list of locations and more information can be found at brampton.ca/sportlockers.
Fully funded by Jumpstart, the initiative comes at no cost to the City and residents. Equip Sport will deliver the program as a turnkey service, managing installation, maintenance, day-to-day operations and data reporting.
The pilot supports Brampton’s goal of building a more active, inclusive and connected community by reducing barriers to sport and physical activity. It also introduces a usage-over-ownership model to local parks, giving residents more freedom to access equipment when they want to play.
About Equip Sport lockers
Founded in Switzerland in 2021, Equip Sport is redefining urban sport through free, open-access equipment stations powered by a smartphone app. The model has expanded to more than 500 stations across Europe, 50 in the City of Ottawa and 80 in British Columbia. With this pilot, Brampton becomes the first municipality in the Greater Toronto Area and the second in Ontario to introduce Equip Sport lockers.
Quotes
“Recreation should be easy to access, close to home and available to everyone. This pilot gives Brampton residents free sports equipment in local parks, helping remove barriers and creating more opportunities for people of all ages to stay active. We are pleased to work with Equip Sport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to support healthier, more active communities.” – Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“Access to equipment can be the difference between watching from the sidelines and joining the game. By placing free sports gear in high-use parks and fields, this pilot gives residents more ways to enjoy recreation in their own neighbourhoods, while supporting a more inclusive approach to sport and physical activity across Brampton.” – Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Chair, Community Services Section, City of Brampton
“We’re proud to partner with the City of Brampton as we grow this work with Equip across the country. This pilot helps bring sport and play closer to where people live by making it easier to access equipment in local parks and community spaces. By removing equipment cost and access barriers, more kids and youth can take part in play and experience the many benefits that come with it.” – Stuart McReynolds, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
“Too often, the barrier to sport is not motivation, it’s access. At Equip Sport, we believe every park, court and public space can become a place where people connect, move and play together. We’re proud to partner with the City of Brampton and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to bring free access to sport directly into neighbourhoods and help unlock more active, inclusive and connected communities.” – Vincent Borel, CEO of Equip Sport
