The Windsor Pickleball Club is stepping up to make a game-changing proposal for the gym at the WFCU Centre: transforming it into a semi-permanent pickleball court during the winter months. With the popularity of pickleball rising, the club’s ambitions reflect a desire to elevate the player experience while handling the complexities of scheduling and facility use.
The Current Setup
As it stands, the Windsor Pickleball Club rents the gym around 22 times a week, providing members ample opportunity to get their game on. However, Patrick Brown, the club’s president, envisions a more dedicated space for their favorite sport.
We’re looking at exclusively pickleball at the WFCU gym from basically October until the end of April and then during the period outside of that the gym would be multi-use, including pickleball.” – (Patrick Brown)
Patrick Brown highlighted the club’s commitment to enhancing the experience for pickleball fans and ensuring the gym remains versatile for other sports the rest of the year.
A Push for Safety and Upgrades
With the proposed conversion comes a significant request for a removable floor to improve the playing conditions. But it’s not just about flooring—there’s also a critical safety component.
The club is demanding new padding on the gym walls, a request that has taken on a more somber tone following a tragic accident. A member of the club suffered a fatal injury after striking his head against the wall during play, showing the need for enhanced safety measures.
In response, the City of Windsor staff has already begun looking into options for installing wall padding, showing a proactive approach to ensuring player safety.
Next Steps
The proposal has caught the attention of Windsor City Councillors, who have asked for the proposal and cost estimates to be referred to budget deliberations.
As discussions progress, the club’s initiative to secure a winter haven for pickleball might just set the stage for a new era of play at the WFCU Centre.
News in Brief: Windsor Pickleball Club
The Windsor Pickleball Club has proposed converting the gym at the WFCU Centre into a semi-permanent pickleball court during the winter months, seeking to enhance player experience with a removable floor.
The pickleball club also calls for new padding on gym walls for safety after a tragic accident involving a member. Windsor City Councillors have requested that the proposal and cost estimates be discussed during budget deliberations.
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