Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre - Leamington Flyers
Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Highbury Canco Arena @ Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre
249 Sherk Street
Leamington, Ontario N8H 4X7
Canada
Year Opened: 1985
Capacity: 2,500
Ketchup War in the Tomato Capital
The Ketchup War was an actual thing. For 100 years, there was a Heinz plant in the Tomato Capital of Canada, Leamington, Ontario. In 2013, when Heinz announced they would no longer produce ketchup in Leamington, jettisoning some 700 jobs, competitor French’s stepped in and filled the void. With the aid of social media, the Ketchup War was on, and the battle for shelf space in grocery stores was real. Throughout all of this, the Leamington Flyers played hockey.
Established in 1954, the Flyers began at the Junior B level, dropping to Junior C from 1968 to 1992. Success was found in Leamington with Schmalz Cups as Junior C Champion in 1970, 1972, and 1980, to go with 7 league titles. The Flyers jumped up to Junior B in 1992 and went on to win a Sutherland Cup as Junior B Champions in 2023.
Immediately following this, the Flyers made the bold move to make another step up to the Junior A level and the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The relative isolation of Leamington in the OJHL makes the move bold, as the closest opponent is over four hours away. The team is owned by Jason Melo, Craig Mahon, Dan Jancevski, David Halliwell and Cam Crowder. Flyers alumni include T.J. Brodie, Tim Gleason, Steve Ott and Zack Kassian.
Home for the Flyers is the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre. Built as an aquatic centre in 1985, the Recreation Centre is a community hub that now features two ice pads and community rooms as well as the swimming pool. Naming rights are held by Nature Fresh Farms, a local greenhouse farming operation. The Highbury Canco Arena is the larger of the two ice pads and home of the Flyers.
Food & Beverage 3
Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre has a snack bar-style concession that is between the two ice pads. Run by the local Kinsmen, the Kinsmen Kanteen concession proceeds are donated to local charities. The typical items are found here, including burgers, fries, hot dogs,, and nachos. Soda and candy are also here, and Slush Puppies are quite popular.
In the northeast corner of the arena, a beer tent stands selling products from the nearby brewery, Brookston Oaks.
Atmosphere 3
The exterior of Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre is fairly attractive with light brick and blue accents. The main entrance is from the parking lot on the west side, which offers a canopied entrance.
Inside the recreation centre, there is a large atrium that functionally joins the two arenas with the swim complex. It is bright and attractive and features a cute box office structure in between the stairs that go up to Highbury Canco Arena and down to Unico Arena. In the atrium, curious fans will find a few trophy cases as well as torches from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2015 Toronto Pan Am games.
Fans will ascend the stairs to the Highbury Canco Arena and are greeted at the entrance with portraits of local products who have reached the highest levels of hockey, including Tim Hrynewich, Pat Ribble, Kirk Bowman, Randy Manery, Brad Selwood and Darren McCarty. A special place is held for Olympian Meaghan Agosta.
Inside the arena, the ice is north-south oriented with a full 360 walkway behind the seating bowl. The retired number 2 of Meaghan Agosta hangs above the doors. Only the most recent championship banners hang along the east side of the arena, including the 2023 Sutherland Cup banner. There is no hint of the Junior C days. There are also some trophy cases in the arena for local hockey teams.
The seating bowl consists of six rows of maroon, plastic, arena seats. The sightlines are strong in Highbury Canco Arena, and there are rails behind the seating, perfect for those fans who prefer to stand for the game. Fans should beware of stickers on seats or standing room spots reserving places for season ticket holders.
The game-day production in Leamington is fairly simple. The sound system is very good, and the PA announcer is clear and easy to understand. A pair of flag bearers lead the Flyers on the ice and stand with the players during the national anthem.
Neighbourhood 3
Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre is located in the town of Leamington. It has a population of just over 29,000. There are a few options for pre- or post-game food and drink that will require a short drive to get to. Some options include Moonlight, Imperial Diner, Rays Ribhouse, and Augusto’s Grill. Leamington has a few solid Mexican restaurants also, including Cancunsito and Salsa Caliente.
The Leamington Flyers are the only game in town. For other sports options, fans will need to head to nearby Windsor, where the Windsor Spitfires are king.
Other tourist options in Leamington include Point Pelee National Park, Seacliff Park and Beach, and The Bank Theatre.
For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Quality Inn is a good option.
Fans 4
Assessing fans in the OJHL can be a challenge as there are few outlets that compile attendance figures. At the game that was reviewed, the home opener for the 2026-27 season, the Flyers welcomed over 660 fans. This is not far off what they averaged in the previous season. It is fair to say that the Flyers rank in the top third of the OJHL with regard to attendance. The fans in attendance are definitely loud and proud, many bringing noisemakers and air horns to aid in their cause.
Access 4
Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre is located in the town of Leamington. With a population of less than 30,000, traffic should not be an issue, and getting to the arena should not be difficult. The arena is approximately 3 km south of the confluence of Highways 3, 33, and 77. Obviously, driving through town will be necessary but should not present a challenge.
There is plenty of parking at the rec centre at no cost. For fans who wish to take public transit, there is an LTGO On Demand Transit system. Fans should consult the LTGO website for details.
Getting around the arena is not difficult after the initial set of stairs. The washrooms are adequate for the venue, both in Highbury Canco Arena and in the atrium.
Fans should note that the arena is quite cold and should dress accordingly, especially early in the season. Fans should also be aware of stickers on seats and in standing room spots reserving them for season subscribers.
Return on Investment 5
OJHL hockey is very affordable, and the Leamington Flyers are no different. Flyers tickets are $15. Tickets for students and seniors are $13, and $6 for kids. Tickets are available at the door or online before the game. Parking at Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre is free, and concession prices are good. The Flyers provide a good game-day atmosphere, and the fans in Leamington add to the experience. It all adds up to a great time for a very reasonable price.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the Flyers as the only game in town in Leamington.
An extra mark for the successful jump the Flyers have made from the Junior B to Junior A level.
An extra mark for the Flyers being successful in the face of the relative isolation from the rest of the OJHL.
Final Thoughts
The Tomato Capital of Canada is ripe with hockey atmosphere! The Leamington Flyers are a solid member of the OJHL, and their home, Highbury Canco Arena @ Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre, is a great spot to catch some junior hockey.
