News
Hampton Centre Set to Launch Public Campaign Phase with $2.2 Million Raised and Major Community Matching Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2025
Hampton, NB – The town of Hampton and the Hampton Centre Campaign Cabinet are proud to announce the official launch of the public phase of the Hampton Centre Capital Campaign. With $2.2 million raised to date, including two major gifts of $250,000 each from The John E. Irving Family (Isles Foundation) and Brenda & David Lutz, K.C., the campaign is moving into this new phase with strong momentum and a renewed call for public involvement.
“We believe in the power of community and the importance of stepping up at the right moment,” said David Lutz, K.C. “We hope our support will encourage others to join us in helping make this Centre a reality – not just for today, but for the generations that will follow.”
Hampton is excited to publicize that the new facility will now be known as the Summit Centre. A summit is not just the highest point of a mountain, but a symbol of perseverance, achievement, and the view from the top. It’s where the journey of effort culminates in something extraordinary. A place where you can stand united, empowered, and inspired. Just like reaching the peak of a mountain, the Summit Centre represents the best of our community, a destination where possibilities are limitless.
Scheduled to open in Fall 2025, the Summit Centre will be a 44,000-square-foot multi-use facility that provides residents of all ages with year-round access to recreational and wellness programs. The Centre will feature an NHL-sized ice surface, indoor walking track, community lounge, community room, and outdoor gathering spaces. Designed with full accessibility and inclusion in mind, the facility is expected to welcome over 50,000 visitors annually.
“This is a pivotal moment for our town,” said Mayor Robert Doucet. “The Summit Centre is more than a building – it’s a promise to future generations. Thanks to the generosity of early donors and the leadership of our campaign cabinet, we are closer than ever to seeing this vision come to life.”
Fundraising support for the project also includes significant contributions from the Moulton Family & Hampton Pharmacy, Carleton-Fundy Mutual Insurance Company, Sir James Dunn Foundation, MacMurray Foundation, Robert & Ann McLeod Family, Hovey Insurance & Financial Services/Western Financial Group Inc., and many other local champions.
“The support we’ve received during the initial phase of this campaign has been extraordinary,” said Mark Bettle,Chair of Hampton’s Summit Centre Campaign Cabinet. “From the very beginning, we’ve seen how deeply this project resonates with people. Today, we’re inviting the entire community to take part in the final stretch – and we’re doing so with an incredible opportunity to double their impact.”
As the public phase officially begins, the campaign is launching a Seat Dedication Matching Challenge, thanks to a $268,500 matching gift commitment from the J.T. Clark Family Foundation. Beginning May 1st, residents, families, and businesses are invited to dedicate all of the 537 arena seats in the Centre with a $500 donation per seat. If every seat is dedicated by July 31st, the Foundation will match the donation dollar-for-dollar – doubling the community’s contribution.
“We are proud to support the Summit Centre and the people behind it,” said a spokesperson for the J.T. Clark Family Foundation. “This matching gift challenge is about inspiring people to act together. It’s about turning hundreds of individual contributions into a shared success story – and we believe this community is more than capable of rising to the challenge.”
The Summit Centre is made possible through a collaboration between all levels of government and the local community. Confirmed funding includes:
- $8.3 million – Government of Canada
- $6 million – Province of New Brunswick
- $10 million – Town of Hampton
- $2.2 million – Private contributions to date through the capital campaign
How to Give
Hampton is pleased to partner with the Greater Saint John Community Foundation to facilitate the acceptance of online donations for the public phase of the campaign, as well as for the acceptance of shares for larger donations.
To sponsor a seat and double your impact through the J.T. Clark Foundation Matching Challenge, visit www.hampton.ca/fundraising. Community members can also contribute one-time donations online.
For individual sponsorship opportunities and naming opportunities for rooms and key spaces, contact Jennifer Gendron, Capital Campaign Coordinator at 506-832-6065 or email jennifer@hampton.ca.
For media inquiries or to arrange interviews, please contact: Riley Cosman, Communications Coordinator at 832-6065 or via email at riley@hampton.ca
Renaming of the Hampton Community Centre – Mike Murphy Memorial Field House
As the town grows its recreational offerings, we are excited to announce a change at our existing community centre. After we ice-out in 2025, this building will undergo a phased transition into a field house. To mark this new purpose, Mayor and Council are deeply honoured to announce that the Hampton Community Centre will now be known as the Mike Murphy Memorial Field House in recognition of Mike Murphy’s lasting legacy in our town.
Mike Murphy, who passed away on February 3, 2008, was more than a devoted family man, a successful professional, and a passionate sports enthusiast — he was the heart of our community. As a long-time resident and former Deputy Mayor, Mike dedicated himself to making Hampton a place where everyone could thrive. His leadership, vision, and kindness left a permanent mark on our town.
Mike’s contributions to hockey in Hampton were extraordinary. He founded and managed leagues like the Hampton Men’s Oldtimers and Junior Oldtimers Hockey Leagues and even rented ice time himself to ensure high school players could continue playing after graduation. His dedication reached beyond Hampton, leading local teams to tournaments across Canada and even Europe. Mike also served for 16 years as the local RCMP Coach for Help the Cops Help the Kids Inc. and as a board member, supporting youth through funding for sports-related expenses. More than organizing teams, Mike fostered camaraderie, mentorship, and sportsmanship – impacting countless lives.
Beyond hockey, Mike was a charter member of the Hampton Rotary Club, a coach, and a community advocate. His willingness to step up and sponsor local youth activities or offer a helping hand was a testament to his generosity and care for others.
Professionally, Mike transitioned from running the Co-op to building a successful real estate career with RE/MAX, where he earned numerous accolades. However, his true passion lay in serving his community and making a difference in the lives of others.
It is only fitting that we honour Mike’s memory by renaming our Hampton Community Centre after him, a place that symbolizes the spirit of togetherness he so deeply cherished. Welcome to the Mike Murphy Memorial Field House – a place built on community, just as Mike exemplified.
For more information regarding the Mike Murphy Memorial Field House please contact info@hampton.ca or call 506-832-6065. Additional information related to the variety of new recreational offerings at the Mike Murphy Memorial Field House will be announced in the coming months.
Hampton Regional Multipurpose Centre – Capital Campaign
The new state-of-the-art Regional Multipurpose Centre is making great progress! Construction of the 44,000-square-foot facility began in 2024 on William Bell Drive, and it’s already taking shape as a modern, accessible, and inclusive space that will serve as a hub for community activities, events, and wellness for all residents in the greater Hampton area.
Mark Bettle is leading the Capital Fundraising Campaign Cabinet, that will be approaching prospective donors in our community with the goal of raising the $4 million needed to complete this historic project.
“I’m excited to collaborate with such an engaged and dynamic group of Hampton citizens on this Cabinet. We know that many community partners will support our Centre, making generous contributions through naming opportunities that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.” – Mark Bettle, Campaign Cabinet Chair.
The Capital Fundraising Campaign will broaden in the months ahead, offering a series of engagement opportunities for community members. The Centre is slated to open at the end of this year. Keep following for more updates. If you have questions about any aspect of this historic undertaking, contact our Campaign Coordinator at jennifer@hampton.ca or 506-832-6065.
