Pickleball players in Grande Prairie will soon have a new place to play. The City of Grande Prairie plans to convert the tennis courts at Legion Field into outdoor Pickleball courts.
Community Recreation Development Supervisor Katie Biberdorf says they chose that location because the courts aren’t able to be used for tennis.
“They’re just an asphalt court right now and they’re underutilized because they need a special playing surface. We’re going to convert them into pickleball courts and put as many courts in there as we can.”
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and can be played by people of all ages. The Grande Prairie Pickleball Club has been playing out the Dave Barr Community centre which added the sport to its drop-in schedule in May.
Biberdorf estimates the cost of the outdoor courts to be around $100,000. $20,000 of that has come from the 2018 Alberta Summer Games Legacy Fund leaving the club to fundraise for the rest.
“We’re hoping that the club is able to contribute some gift in kind. They’ve offered to help apply the layers of paint and filler and sealer that’s needed as well and they are going to work on applying for some grants as well to help cover the difference.”
City council members have also discussed giving $55,000 from the Council Strategic Initiatives Fund to help with the project. That will need to be approved at the July 15th council meeting. If the weather cooperates, Biberdorf is hoping to have the new courts open by the fall.