Kincardine Committee of the Whole has voted in favour of continuing to support and enhance the pickleball program for this upcoming summer.
During a meeting on April 4, a report was brought forward recommending the municipality continue to support the Ward One operated pickleball program by offering it at the tennis courts.
It was also recommended council consider the existing skate park at the Davidson Centre be the future home of outdoor pickleball and a possible multi-sports pad.
The report says following a 2021 motion which had staff create a proposal to build outdoor pickleball courts, both inside and outside the Town of Kincardine, staff put together a survey to assist in developing a long-term strategy for the future of the activity in the municipality.
The survey received over 300 responses, along with conversations held with the Kincardine Lions Club, Tiverton Lions Club, Kincardine Tennis Club, and the Pickleball group led by staff.
The report says pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America. As of 2021, the activity had an estimated 60,000 players in Canada, and over 200,000 in the United States.
Back in the summer of 2021, the Harbour Street tennis courts were selected as a pilot project site to see if it met the needs of the users. During a specific time of day, court one was split into two pickleball courts.
Later in the fall, pickleball players raised $4,000 and presented it to the municipality. The funds were then placed in a dedicated pickleball account in preparation for any future development of outdoor pickleball courts, or other needs.
The report says currently, the number of players in Kincardine varies from the winter and summer months, but for indoor play, there are a minimum of 90 people who take part on a regular basis.
In preparation for this coming summer, the Kincardine Tennis Club made arrangements with the Pickleball group so one tennis court would be available again to house two pickleball courts.
Staff have also reached out to the Tiverton Lions Club to assess their interest to offer pickleball at the Annex as a way to generate revenue for the club. The club says for now they need to wait for their vehicles, which are currently stored in the Annex, to move to inspect the surface and determine the suitability.
The report says there will be no financial implications in 2022, but consideration will need to be given in future capital budgets if a permanent home is chosen for pickleball.
Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski says it would also be beneficial to have a stewardship program.
“There are great partnerships in this community that we can use and mimic in order to provide pickleball,” says Jagelewski.
This will be returning to council at their next meeting on April 20.
