In 2015, Pickleball Hamilton in cooperation with the City of Hamilton used the footprint of two aging tennis courts and built 6 beautiful outdoor pickleball courts with lights for evening play. However, the growth of the sport made it evident, very quickly, that 6 outdoor courts would not meet local summer demand. So after numerous meetings with city officials and with the support of the local city councillor, Chad Collins, a vision was conceived. Twelve outdoor pickleball courts would be part of the city of Hamilton’s 40 million dollar revitalization of Confederation Park by the waterfront. Using the U.S. Open courts at Naples, Florida as the template, Pickleball Hamilton personnel have been meeting with city planners for several years to ensure these courts are a showcase. The courts visible from the QEW and located by the waterfront will be easily accessible to players from Grimsby, St. Catherine’s, Niagara Falls and Buffalo, as well as, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga. In fact, the Confederation Park courts are so centrally located that they are 14 km away from 3 different city halls…..Hamilton, Burlington and Grimsby!! They will be open from 8 AM until 11 PM from May 1 to Oct. 1. The light standards are in, the ground is prepared and the Grand Opening of these courts was scheduled for August. However, construction has stopped as per pandemic guidelines, so any further construction is on hold at this time.
But, that’s not all! Directly beside, the 6 outdoor courts that we presently use are two unused, decrepit tennis courts. Again, an idea was hatched and Pickleball Hamilton asked the city to refurbish these courts and build 6 more pickleball courts on the central mountain. With the support and guidance of the area councillor, Esther Pauls, it was determined that $200,000 could make this happen. If Pickleball Hamilton contributed $25,000, the city would kick-in $175,000.
In October 2019, at the Pickleball Hamilton AGM, fourteen players stepped forward, under the leadership of Linda Kawamoto, and volunteered to form a new Board of Directors. All directors are energetic, highly motivated individuals working long hours to promote pickleball in the Hamilton area. When faced with the task of raising $25,000, the Board of Directors established Platinum, Gold and Bronze memberships and the $25,000 was raised in 5 days. It was our hope that construction of these courts would happen in 2020, but like everything else the COVID pandemic has made many things uncertain.
We have a tournament planned for August 15 2020 with some of the proceeds being directed towards
The COVID pandemic will cause further changes to schedules but at some point in the next year or two, Pickleball Hamilton, in a leasing arrangement with the City of Hamilton, will be operating 24 well-lit, wind-screened outdoor pickleball courts from May-October each year.
Please stay apart so we can get back together.