​Proposed Pickleball courts in Point Clark estimated to cost $200,000

A proposal to build four Pickleball courts in Point Clark could cost $200,000.

That’s the word from Huron-Kinloss community services director Mike Fair, in a report to council at its committee-of-the-whole meeting, Dec. 4.

Fair stated that a four-court Pickleball facility, 130-feet-by-70-feet, could be built between the Point Clark Community Centre parking lot and Lake Range Drive. The benefits include a tree buffer between the roadway and the Pickleball courts to reduce noise, parking already exists, and existing asphalt courts in the parking lot could act as overflow, if required. Plus, the zoning is “open space.”

The proximity to the baseball diamond could be considered precarious, stated Fair, but the traditional times do not conflict with Pickleball during the day, and baseball in the evenings, and additional signage may be required.

Fair stated that staff received an estimate of $90,000 to clear trees, excavate, and install gravel; $61,000 to install the cement pad; and $10,000 for five-foot chain-link fencing around the perimeter. Staff did not include any estimates for electrical or plumbing. The total construction estimate could be $200,000.

The Pickleball courts were not included in the 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, said Fair, partly because all the existing tennis courts had Pickleball lines painted on them, the program had just started, and numbers were just beginning to build. He noted that Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in North America - registration in the township doubled to almost 50 in 2023.

Fair said that staff also considered the possibility of covering the four courts with a membrane and frame coverall-type system and received an estimate for $285,000. The benefit to covering the courts is to extend the season of Pickleball to possibly March to November, from May to October, while eliminating rain-day cancellations.

The covered system could potentially allow the concrete surface to be converted to an outdoor rink in the winter months of December to February, dependent on weather.

Fair said the report is for information purposes only. Staff will investigate details regarding any preliminary work required for future grant applications or fund-raising efforts, and bring a plan forward during the 2024 budget process.

Deputy mayor Jim Hanna said there could be problems due to the noise from the Pickleball courts.

Fair said that has been a contentious issue for locations across North America.

However, he noted that he lives across the street from one and he can hear the noise from the ball and the paddles.

“If it were all day every day, it could become annoying,” he said. “However, this is just one proposed location; we expect to get lots of feedback from the Pickleball players and the nearby residents.”

Councillor Scott Gibson suggested a dual program with the tennis courts, and Fair said there is potential for that. But the Point Clark Community Centre location is the least intrusive.

“It’s near a ball diamond and lights so you expect noise there,” said councillor Larry Allison.

“This is something we all should be supporting,” said mayor Don Murray, “as a way for people to remain active. There are ways to mitigate the noise. This is the right thing to do here.”

“We will have more conversations with the players and the neighbours,” said Fair.