You may be wondering, what’s a Mini-Pitch?  Supplied by Musco Sports Lighting, a Mini-Pitch is an all-in-one sport court complete with a sport tile playing surface, built in soccer goals and basketball hoops, and sturdy fencing.  Lighting, benches and graphics complete the stand-alone facility to ensure it’s welcoming and ready for action.  

But to the residents of Antigonish, the new Scotiabank Mini-Pitch is much more!  It’s a space for inclusive and accessible free play. Close to schools, neighbourhoods, and transportation links, the Mini-Pitch is a low barrier space for children and families to come together for fun and healthy activity. 

The Antigonish Mini-Pitch project was initiated by the donation of a Mini-Pitch to the community of Antigonish by Scotiabank. Through the recommendation of local educator Maggie MacDonnell and Just Us! Coffee Roastery owner, Jeffrey Moore, Scotiabank approached local coach Trevor Reddick to partner on a social impact project aligned under Scotiabank’s ScotiaRISE platform supporting youth, newcomers and disadvantaged groups.   

The purpose of the Mini-Pitch is to ensure that all children have access to play sports and experience the benefits.  No expensive membership needed, just a ball and a bit of initiative to get moving!  Many of the Mini-Pitch court amenities contribute to its ease of use . While the surrounding fencing keeps the ball in play for many activities, the sport tile surface maximizes grip, dries quickly in wet weather, and offers the basic playing lines for soccer, basketball, and volleyball.   

It was important to the County and Town of Antigonish to incorporate additional family friendly features. A sidewalk and accessible paved parking welcome families to the venue, while the lighting, benches and a perimeter concrete walking path ensure family members can provide support while seated up close or while getting in some extra steps.  

Feedback on the project has been very positive. Many are intrigued by the fencing, but when they wander down to the Mini-Pitch they are quickly impressed. Students at the adjacent elementary school have watched the construction happening all fall and are looking forward to a break in the winter weather to explore the court that borders their school playground.   

The project was a significant team effort to bring to life. It began a little more than two years ago, when a partnership formed between community volunteers, Scotiabank, Sport Nova Scotia, Strait Regional Centre for Education, and both the County and Town recreation departments.  Financial support from councils for the Municipality of the County of Antigonish and the Town of Antigonish and Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage enabled the project to come to life.  

As operator of the Mini-Pitch facility, the Antigonish County Recreation Department is making plans to host an opening ceremony with Scotiabank in the spring. The department looks forward to welcoming youth from all parts of the region, and to share the facility’s purpose of inclusive and accessible free play.  

“I am very excited about the opening of the new Mini-Pitch facility in Antigonish,” says Reddick.  “The Mini-Pitch will provide a safe and accessible space for free play opportunities for our local youth, some of whom may not have access to other facilities for various reasons. I’m very thankful to Scotiabank, the Town and County of Antigonish, and the Strait Regional Centre for Education for their overwhelming support of this project.”