Pickleball Courts Coming to Bradley Park: The Town of Moosomin is on a determined quest to bring four new pickleball courts to Bradley Park, a project that’s gaining momentum and support from the local community.
Mike Schwean from Moosomin Parks and Rec outlines the current state of fundraising efforts, revealing that the goal of $120,000 is within reach.
“We need about $120,000 for the four pickleball courts. Doing the initial prep work is $20,000 and the town is going to do that for us. We have $17,700 from a Kingston Midstream grant for the fencing. The Moose Fraternity gave $10,000. Tyler Thorn gave $10,000 and Darcy Rambold gave $5,000 and we got a Participaction grant of $2,500 worth of equipment.” – (Schwean)
“We allocated $2,300 from a Lotto grant and individual donors have given $7,000. So in total we have raised just under $75,000. So that leaves us about $45,000 to do everything. That will cover everything, the asphalt, fencing, lighting, trees, and finishing.” – (Schwean)
Schwean is optimistic about the future of the fundraising efforts.
“We have been doing pretty good. We have quite a few grants outstanding, Agri Spirit Fund we applied for $15,000 and New Horizons Grant was $25,000 and HelpAge Canada was $10,000. So if some of those come in, that will help a lot too.” – (Schwean)
Sponsorship Opportunities
For those looking to contribute more directly, Schwean highlights the sponsorship options available.
“The cost is $10,000 if you sponsor a court or $5,000 to sponsor half a court. So, we are still looking at a couple more courts to be covered. We’re hoping to have a donors night after harvest, like a barbecue to say thank you. We’re hoping to raise some more, and then if we get extra money we can do a little bit nicer or bigger rest area for the players.” – (Schwean)
Construction Timeline
Schwean is focused on ensuring that construction progresses as planned.
“The asphalt will be started this fall. My concern was we wouldn’t have enough to pay for the asphalt because if we don’t get the asphalt done this fall then we have to wait until next year, but we have enough to cover that now, so we have to make sure we get that done. It is the town pavers who will be doing it, so whenever they come they will be doing it. That will get done now and then over the winter we can fundraise more if we need to.” – (Schwean)
The goal is to have the courts ready for use by the start of summer next year.
“The grants are also slow—we won’t know until the fall. We would like to have a grand opening July 1 next year.” – (Schwean)
A Promising Future
Schwean is confident that the pickleball courts will become a valued addition to Bradley Park and the Moosomin community.
“If we get it paved this fall then we would still have to wait on the sealant for next spring and then get it going for next summer. It has gone really well. Bill Thorn has done a lot of stuff for us and is helping us. I am happy it is going good and I think it will be a great addition to the park.” – (Schwean)
He describes the envisioned layout of the new courts.
“There will be four courts side-by-side running North and South to avoid the sun. I envision the it being the Elks diamond, the pickleball, the teepee, then the playground all within a line of each other. We have done a bunch of drainage work—we have taken the drainage straight south so that it will be from golf world or fun area it will come across and then that creek runs all the way down and there will be bridges going across. It will look really nice once it is done.” – (Schwean)
Community Impact
Schwean is certain that the new facilities will be a hit with local pickleball enthusiasts.
“I think it will be used tons. We will have a shed there with all the pickleball stuff in so people can just grab a ball and racket and play. We are so tight on time at the convention centre we can’t give the pickleballers a lot of time and there are so many of them that work late and just can’t play because they can’t get there. So I know it will be busy and good for the community to have.” – (Schwean)
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts Coming to Bradley Park
The Town of Moosomin is close to raising $120,000 for four new pickleball courts at Bradley Park. With nearly $75,000 secured through various grants and donations, including $17,700 from Kingston Midstream and $10,000 from the Moose Fraternity, the project is progressing well. Fundraising continues, with additional grants pending.
Sponsorships are available for $10,000 per court or $5,000 for half a court. Construction, including asphalt work, is set to begin this fall, with hopes to complete the courts and open them by next summer. The new facility aims to enhance the park and meet growing community demand.
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