New Pickleball Facility in Clarence-Rockland: Clarence-Rockland, Ontario, is on the verge of becoming a premier destination for aspiring tennis stars with the recent approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by the city council. The agreement permits Rockland Racket Sports to establish a state-of-the-art tennis and pickleball campus on two strategically located parcels off Highway 17.
Phase One: A Modern Sports Complex
The initial phase of this ambitious public-private partnership (P3) involves constructing an indoor dome equipped with four tennis courts, approximately 14 outdoor pickleball courts, and a viewing pavilion. According to the MOU, construction is set to commence this summer, with hopes to open the facility to players by the fall.
Phase Two: Expanding the Vision
Looking ahead to 2025, the project will enter its second phase, featuring a larger building to house the tennis academy. This phase will also include a gym, restaurant, and additional retail spaces, significantly enhancing the campus’s offerings.
Financials and Community Impact
Rockland Racket Sports will cover the estimated $20 million cost of the campus, while the municipality will contribute around 1.5 hectares of land. Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth highlighted the importance of such partnerships in reducing tax burdens and fostering economic growth.
“We have to stop relying on citizens to shoulder the tax burden of all these kinds of infrastructures.” – (Mayor Mario Zanth)
“And I think these types of partnerships with the city [are] exactly what we need for economic development.” – (Mayor Mario Zanth)
Local and Global Aspirations
Aaron Markel, co-founder of Rockland Racket Sports, emphasized the academy’s dual focus: providing elite training while reserving 70 percent of court time for local players. Membership drives and future events will support the facility’s sustainability. Zanth anticipates the project will establish Clarence-Rockland as a notable sports tourism hub, comparable to other prestigious athletic academies in eastern Ontario.
“I left my family and friends and life behind to pursue a dream. And I really feel proud that now those same children can stay local. They can live at the academy if they choose to, or they can commute. But they can keep their life intact.” – (markel)
“[We’re] going to be, essentially, a sports tourism hub that’s going to be the envy of eastern Ontario.” – (markel)
News in Brief: New Pickleball Facility in Clarence-Rockland
Clarence-Rockland, Ontario, is set to become the site of a new, high-performance tennis academy after the city council approved a memorandum of understanding with Rockland Racket Sports. The first phase will feature an indoor dome with four tennis courts and 14 outdoor pickleball courts, with construction starting this summer.
The second phase, beginning in 2025, will expand to include a full academy, gym, and retail spaces. Rockland Racket Sports will invest around $20 million, while the city will provide land. The project aims to enhance local tennis training and boost economic development through sports tourism.
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