Pickleball Lines at Bill Barber Rink Await Funding Decision

Pickleball Lines at Bill Barber Rink: The Bill Barber Rink in Callander has seen a series of significant upgrades over the past few years. Now, the community looks forward to further enhancements that could expand the range of activities hosted at the facility. The latest development on the horizon involves the addition of lines on the rink’s concrete surface, aimed at accommodating more sports, including pickleball, ball hockey, and roller derby.

The Waiting Game: Grant-Dependent Timeline

The eagerly anticipated pickleball lines are part of the broader plans, but their installation depends on funding. If Callander’s municipal staff secures a grant from the Inclusive Community Grant Program, the lines will be painted this year. If not, residents will need to wait until 2025, as the project will be rolled into next year’s budget. The municipality has applied for the grant with hopes of receiving the necessary funds to speed up the process.

Expanding Access to Sports

Council’s plans for the rink are ambitious. Along with pickleball courts, they intend to add lines for ball hockey games and an oval track outline for the Bombshell Bobbers, the local roller derby team that utilizes the rink during warmer months. The addition of these lines reflects a commitment to increasing accessibility and providing diverse recreational opportunities for the community.

The Inclusive Community Grant Program, a provincial initiative, supports projects that respond to the needs of an aging population by creating environments that promote active living. Callander’s proposal aligns with this mission, and the community awaits the government’s decision, expected this fall. Municipal staff estimate the cost of the pickleball courts at $6,500, which the grant would cover.

Budget and Future Plans

In total, the cost of painting the lines for all the proposed activities is expected to reach $8,500. Should the council decide to include a shuffleboard in the project, the cost could rise to an estimated $15,000. While a final decision on shuffleboard has not yet been made, any additional lines would likely be painted on concrete outside the rink proper. Regardless of the grant’s outcome, the council intends to allocate the necessary funds in the 2025 budget to ensure the work is completed.

If the grant application is successful, residents could see the new lines painted as early as this fall. Mayor Robb Noon remains optimistic, stating,

“Hopefully we’re successful.”