On Mon. Feb. 1/16 St. Thomas City Council approved the 2016 city budget. Included in the budget is an $850,000 expenditure for fully funded new tennis courts and new pickleball courts at Pinafore Park.
According to Ross Tucker, Director of Parks & Recreation, here is the plan:
1. Remove the old courts and build 8 new tennis courts.
2. Add 8 new courts dedicated solely to pickleball.
3. Windscreens and lights to be included for all courts.
4. Timelines: tendering by June, open house for public consideration of planning details, commence construction in Sept., final surfacing & lines completed in spring 2017 followed by grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony
5. Funding: Majority of funding comes from a Federal Gas Tax rebate with a lesser amount coming from Community Development Charges levied by the city on new housing etc. Municipal property taxes are not being used for this project.
This has been a long term goal of our club almost since the beginning. Achieving it was not easy. There was no pickleball in St. Thomas prior to May 2013. We gradually built the sport to the point that additional facilities were required. For those that are not familiar with what has transpired over the last 2-3 years, here is a partial list of steps leading up to the approval of this project.
May 2013 – pickleball introduced to St. Thomas with only four players and two time slots per week at the Timken Centre.
Oct. 2013 – St. Thomas Pickleball Club formed with 41 members. Main goal was to provide an entity that could lobby for more and better playing facilities as well as grow the sport in our community. Membership cap has been expanded three times to the current number of 89.
Club website developed in 2014 to inform members and serve as a marketing tool for the sport.
2014 to present – club Executive serves as advisers to Timken administration.
2014 – negotiated additional time at Pinafore with lines painted for 4 courts on 2 of the tennis courts. The city approved limited play on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for club members only.
2014 – partnered with city to submit an application to the TSN/Kraft Celebration Tour Contest for funding of facilities (no funds forthcoming).
2014 – negotiated one evening a week during the winter for club play at St. Joe’s.
2015 – one evening a week at St. Joe’s increased to two evenings a week.
2015 – partnered with the Kinsman Club for possible submission to the Trillium Foundation for funding (since the new courts are fully funded we are no longer pursuing this as a funding source).
2015 – funding request presented to Green Lane Foundation to support Pinafore pickleball project (our request was turned down but they did agree to help with miscellaneous expenses).
2015 – received a $3000 provincial grant to run three “Try It” days at Pinafore. This was hugely successful and led to lessons for almost 100 new players. This may have been the catalyst that led to city council approving new courts at Pinafore.
2015 – negotiated expansion of Timken drop in program to the present 3 levels of play plus open play with 10 sessions/week.
Feb. 1, 2016 – City Council approves budget item for new pickleball courts at Pinafore Park.
About a month ago we were informed that new dedicated courts were tentatively included in the budget. We didn’t announce it at that time because the budget had yet to be passed. Thanks go to the many players who completed the online city budget survey prior to Feb. 1.
This is an obvious game changer for our sport. For 5-6 months of the year these courts will be available from sun up to 11 pm. The entire community regardless of age will be able to play pickleball. The potential for club play, open play, league play, lessons and even tournaments will definitely be something to look at.
Thanks go to Ross Tucker and staff for supporting our vision and efforts. Thanks also to City Council for supporting Ross’ budget submission in order to meet the growing demand within the community. But most of all this giant leap forward is a testament to the popularity of this great game, the enthusiasm of the players and the perseverance and work of our club executive past and present.
More and more communities in Ontario are converting to or sharing tennis courts with pickleball. To the best of our knowledge there is no place that has built 8 or more brand new outdoor courts dedicated solely to pickleball. Way to go St. Thomas!
