Peterborough has the potential to serve as a host city for national pickleball championships, according to a group of local players, but first, city facilities need to catch up with the community interest.
“Once we get a facility, people will come,” says Peterborough Pickleball Association president Bruce Bozec, adding that about 400 people already play in the community.
“Peterborough is the perfect venue. We are central and can bring in people from all over,” he adds, noting that a national tournament could easily bring 1,000 people to the city over the weekend, causing an economic ripple through the service and tourism industries.
Recently, Peterborough hosted the True North Pickleball Tournament at Bonnerworth Park, which had 261 participants. Approximately 150 of those players came from other communities to play and spend their money here, says association board member Robyn Percival.
However, given the state of current pickleball facilities in Peterborough, with the Knights of Columbus and Bonnerworth courts exhibiting cracking and other signs of disrepair, the likelihood of attracting future events is slim, says board member Tom Reburn.
“There are clubs all over Ontario in smaller communities that have much better facilities,” he says.
“We are totally underserviced.” …..
Credit: Peterborough Examiner