Skeptics worried about theft of equipment, but so far Mississauga program does well.
A new free park sports equipment program in Mississauga is succeeding despite the skepticism that surrounded its launch.
Four months into its year-long trial, the City of Mississauga told MPulse, “The Equip Sport pilot project has seen strong community participation and engagement since launching in Mississauga parks this summer.”
When the program started in June, the online commentary was very negative overall, with most people assuming that the equipment would be quickly broken, lost or stolen. For example, someone posted on X, “There is a ZERO percent chance these will make it back to the lockers. I’d be surprised if the lockers themselves don’t get stolen and scrapped.”
When council initially discussed the program back in May, Equip Sport said that their experience in other jurisdictions was that damage and loss were rare. According to the city, this has been the experience in Mississauga.
“While some equipment loss has occurred at select locations, these incidents have not significantly affected overall program uptake or user access. The service provider continues to monitor inventory levels, replace equipment as needed, and ensure lockers remain accessible and stocked for residents,” city staff wrote in an email to Mpulse.
Next year, when the pilot wraps up and before a decision is made about whether to continue with the program, council should get a more detailed report about the numbers of lost, stolen and damaged items.
In the meantime, despite the city’s reluctance to provide actual numbers, it’s clear the public’s worst fears have not come to pass. Instead, the city says the feedback from participants has been “overwhelmingly positive” with 89% of users giving the program a five star rating. Between June and August 4,500 registered participants used the program more than 8,800 times.
Basketballs and soccer balls were the most popular borrowed items accounting for an average of over 2,500 uses each month.
The app-based program allows Mississauga residents to borrow sports equipment from lockers at select parks throughout the city. It’s a joint venture between Equip Sport, a European company, Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart charity, which is funding the pilot and the City. It’s completely free to use and only requires a mobile phone, name and either phone number or email address.
According to the city, “winter operations are being finalized” and equipment availability will be posted on the city’s website in November.
