The city is serving new courts for people playing a growing sport.
The city’s first outdoor pickleball courts officially opened today (Aug. 19) outside the Mountjoy Arena, with the Timmins Pickleball Club in attendance.
“We’re really happy that it’s finally come through,” said Timmins Pickleball Club board member Brenda Gray, who recently picked up medals at the provincial championships.
For the project, the new Mountjoy Arena courts were resurfaced. It cost $40,000 and there are also permanent nets in place, so players do not have to bring their own, as has been the case in the past.
“You’re going to see a lot more people that are going to come and start to play,” said club member Jo-Anne St-Onge.
The club has been lobbying the city for more courts for some time.
“This is the first step for us, taking an existing tennis court that was in not-the-greatest shape and resurfacing it with fiberglass and all the new colours that are on this court,” said City of Timmins facilities and recreation supervisor Fred Salvador. “So now it’s a full-time pickleball court.”
The courts are free for the public to use and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, though the Timmins Pickleball Club will be there. There is not currently a booking system in place for the pickleball courts.
“They’re not booking on Service Timmins yet,” said Coun. Rock Whissell.
Pickleball has been a fast-growing sport due to its accessibility for people of all ages and skills. The Timmins Pickleball Club capped its membership at 115 people, and they have a waiting list to join.
The McIntyre Curling Club has been hosting indoor pickleball events during the summer when the ice is not in, with around 170 people showing up to learn more about the sport.
With the sport's growth, the city is looking at expanding the number of courts but has yet to make any solid plans on when or where they might be.
“Nothing’s etched in stone yet,” said Salvador.
There are nine other tennis and multi-use courts throughout the city. The Timmins recreation master plan recommends that the city look for more opportunities to expand pickleball facilities where possible.