Essex’s PickleBarn Project Eyes: Essex is on track to establish itself as the epicenter of competitive pickleball in Canada, pending the successful completion of a public-private partnership announced Wednesday morning. The town is collaborating with local entrepreneur Scott Hollinsky and his son Evan to develop the PickleBarn, a state-of-the-art pickleball facility. Located on a 70-acre site at Batten Side Road and North Maldon Road, the Essex Sports Centre will feature a range of sports amenities, including baseball diamonds and soccer fields. The PickleBarn’s proposal was chosen from a competitive request for proposals process.
Expansive Facility Plans
According to Scott Hollinsky, the proposed PickleBarn would include 16 indoor pickleball courts, 10 outdoor pickleball courts, two outdoor tennis courts, one indoor tennis court, and four indoor padel courts. Padel, a sport akin to tennis but played on a smaller court with walls, will also be featured. If approved, the facility, slated to open in fall 2025, will be the largest of its kind in Canada. The PickleBarn will also house a full fitness center with physiotherapy services, member locker rooms with showers and saunas, a pro shop, and dining options including a restaurant, bar, and banquet hall.
Economic and Recreational Impact
“The facility will serve as a premier destination for not only our local municipalities, but provincially as well. We are confident that the complex will enhance the overall appeal of Essex as a destination for recreation and leisure.” stated Evan Hollinsky at a press conference. He expressed confidence that the complex will significantly boost Essex’s appeal as a recreational and leisure destination. The public-private partnership involves the town selling a parcel of land to the PickleBarn, which will finance the facility’s construction. Proceeds from the land sale will be reinvested in the development of the sports complex infrastructure.
Design and Future Tournaments
The PickleBarn will be the first facility in Canada designed by Rockville, MD-based Johns Design and Consulting, known for their work on courts in California, Florida, Texas, and Michigan. Evan Hollinsky highlighted the disparity between facilities in the U.S. and Canada, citing the need for more advanced courts to support growing demand. “When I go to tournaments in the States, there’s a minimum of 20 courts at these facilities,” he noted. “In Canada, particularly Ontario, we have six courts, leading to delays and limited play opportunities.” The new facility aims to address these challenges and accommodate potential professional tournaments in Canada.
News in Brief: Essex’s PickleBarn Project Eyes
Essex is set to become Canada’s pickleball hub with the proposed PickleBarn, a facility featuring 16 indoor and 10 outdoor pickleball courts, along with tennis and padel courts. Announced as part of a public-private partnership, the PickleBarn will also offer a fitness center, physiotherapy services, and various amenities. Expected to open in fall 2025, it will be the largest pickleball facility in Canada. The partnership involves selling land to fund the facility’s construction, aimed at addressing the gap in quality pickleball courts compared to facilities in the U.S.
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