City of Stratford Sport Tourism Strategy Approved by City Council
Industry Partners, click here for a list of upcoming facility rentals and what groups are visiting Stratford.
The City of Stratford partnered with investStratford and Destination Stratford to develop a Sport Tourism Strategy for the City.
The project, funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario via RTO4, assessed the City’s current tourism assets, gathered information through public consultations and provides a strategy for growth and next steps.
The Sport Tourism Strategy project aims were to:
- determine the economic impact, and the size and scope of existing sport tourism opportunities – including an inventory of capital assets (infrastructure) and human assets (volunteer groups, local sport associations)
- explore the potential to expand those existing opportunities and to identify new areas for growth, complete with financial and socio-community impacts, effects and outcomes
- consider and recommend technology tools that link sport bookings to tourism assets, amplifying the visitor experience with local retail, food/beverage and accommodation providers
- provide a needs analysis for growth and potential funding opportunities

All members of the public, sports groups, and service clubs were encouraged to participate in the consultations. Opportunities included online engagement via the City of Stratford’s Engage Stratford platform, as well as in-person public consultations.
STRATFORD SPORT TOURISM – PUBLIC SURVEY RESPONSE REPORT
Surveys collected from 31 August 2022 to 04 October 2022.
PUBLIC SURVEY RESPONSE REPORTCOMMUNITY INPUT OPPORTUNITIES
Sport Tourism Strategy Input Timeline
Stratford Sport Tourism Strategy
Stakeholder Workshops Oct. 12
Public Town Hall Session
Stakeholder Workshops Oct. 13
Initial Public Input Summary Report
Destinate Group was selected as the consultant to lead this work, and started public consultation on the Sport Tourism Strategy in September. The Strategy was presented to City Council January 23, 2023. Council approved the following staff recommendations:
THAT the existing Sport Tourism Steering Committee (Community Services Department, Destination Stratford, investStratford) remain active and that the Tourism Advisory Committees of Destination Stratford be leveraged to inform and support the creation of the Stratford Sport Tourism Office;
AND THAT the Steering Committee explore funding opportunities and partnerships to create an organizational structure and funding model for inclusion in the City of Stratford 2024 budget.
For more information, please contact:
Joani Gerber
CEO, investStratford
519-305-5055 extension 1001; jgerber@investStratford.com
This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Upcoming Facility Rentals – 2023
Date | Facility | Group |
---|---|---|
May 26-27 | Rotary Rink | Milverton Christian Fellowship Tourn |
May 26-28 | Packham Road | U17 Softball – 3 diamonds |
May 30 | SERC | St. Mike’s Soccer Tourn – 2 fields |
Jun 1-2 | Packham Road | WOSSAA Soccer – 2 fields (2nd rain dt) |
Jun 1-2 | SERC | WOSSAA Soccer – 2 fields (2nd rain dt) |
Jun 2-4 | Packham Road | U13 Fastpitch – 5 diamonds (concession/bbq) |
Jun 6-8 | Rotary Rink | Ag Society Ifarm |
Jun 9-11 | Packham Road SERC National Stadium |
U15 Fastpitch – 5+ diamonds |
Jun 10-11 | SERC Packham Road |
Stratford Youth Soccer – 10 fields |
Jun 16-18 | Packham Road | U8-U11 Baseball – 5 diamonds (concession) |
Jun 19-23 | Agriplex/Rotary Rink | Ag Society Ontario Pork Congress |
Jun 30-Jul 2 | Packham Road | U17 Softball – 3 diamonds (concession/bbq) |
Jul 7-9 | Packham Road Anne Hathaway |
U17 Softball – 5+ diamonds |
Jul 7-9 | SERC National Stadium |
U14-U15 Baseball – 2 diamonds |
Jul 14-16 | Packham Road | Smash It Sports – 5 diamonds (concession) |
Jul 28-30 | Packham Road Anne Hathaway |
U15 Softball – 3 diamonds |
Aug 3-6 | Packham Road Anne Hathaway |
U17 Softball – 5 diamonds (concession) |
Aug 10-13 | Packham Road Anne Hathaway |
U15 Softball – 5 diamonds (concession) |
Aug 11-13 | SERC National Stadium |
Minor Baseball – 2 diamonds |
Aug 17-20 | Anne Hathaway SERC |
Huron-Perth Softball – 2 diamonds |
Aug 18-20 | SERC National Stadium |
Minor Baseball – 2 diamonds |
Aug 19-20 | Packham Road | U15 & U17 Softball – 4 diamonds (concession/bbq) |
Aug 20 | Packham Road | Stratford Youth Soccer – 5 fields |
Aug 26 | Anne Hathaway | Special Olympics – 1 diamond |
Aug 25-27 | SERC Dufferin Optimist |
Minor Baseball – 3 diamonds |
Sep 1-4 | SERC Dufferin Optimist |
Minor Baseball – 3 diamonds (4th rain date only) |
Sep 1-3 | Packham Road | Slo-Pitch fundraiser – 3 diamonds (concession) |
Sep 8-10 | Packham Road | Men’s & Ladies’ Tourn (concession/bbq) |
Sep 13-15 | Rotary Rink | Ag Society PW Cattle Show |
Sep 16-18 | Rotary Rink | Ag Society Jersey Show |
Sep 21-24 | Agriplex/Rotary Rink | Ag Society Stratford Fall Fair |
Updates to the above coming mid-April.