News Releases

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 8, 2011) -

Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this press release.

BMO Financial Group today announced the naming of the new BMO Centre, a soccer and sports facility for Londoners of all ages. The 110,000 square foot building will house four indoor playing fields, a club house, meeting rooms and an elevated walking track. The fields can also be converted into one regulation size soccer field – all under one roof.

The BMO Centre will open in September 2011, just over a year after construction began. It is estimated that the new facility will be used by over 500 teams, playing in kids, men's, women's and mixed soccer leagues, with more than 600,000 people passing through its doors each year.

"We are excited to be a part of this new community facility, which will bring together athletes of all ages and provide a state-of-the art home for soccer in London," said David Blyth, District Vice-President, Southwestern Ontario, BMO Bank of Montreal. "As the Bank of Soccer in Canada, the BMO Centre is a natural fit for us."

Located in downtown London, at 295 Rectory Street, the BMO Centre will provide opportunities for a wide variety of user groups, focusing on soccer but accommodating a number of other sports. The elevated walking track will broaden the usage of the facility giving parents and seniors a year round venue for activity.

"We couldn't be happier about having BMO on board to achieve our goal of offering this exceptional sports facility to the London community," said Tom Partalas, President, London Optimist Sports Centre. "With BMO's generosity, and funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, we have been able to build a $10-million dollar, leading-edge facility. The new BMO Centre will truly be one of the best indoor soccer venues in the country."

About BMO in London

Since its first branch opening in London in 1877, BMO Financial Group has been committed to the community. BMO provides major donations to institutions such as the University of Western Ontario, the Fanshawe College Foundation, Robarts Research Institute and the King's College Foundation. Most recently, BMO pledged $1 million to the London Health Sciences Centre.

In addition, BMO is committed to London's soccer community and currently sponsors nine different teams with the NorWest Optimist Club.

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