Turkey Point Pickleball Courts Plan: Plans to build two dedicated pickleball courts in Turkey Point Park are moving forward after receiving initial approval from Norfolk County councilors. If fully approved later this month, construction could begin as early as the second quarter of 2025.
Community-Backed Project Moves Ahead
The proposal to install the courts was passed in principle during a council-in-committee meeting on April 8. The final decision will be made at an upcoming council meeting. The project is being funded by Norfolk County and a group of local residents who are passionate about bringing pickleball closer to home.
Doug Johnson, a member of the Turkey Point Pickleball Committee, shared that the group has been working on the plan for over a year. Many of them have been driving 45 minutes to Tillsonburg just to play.
“There has been overwhelming support from the community. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport for seniors in Ontario and is played by many of our Turkey Point residents.” – (Doug Johnson)
Concerns From Opposing Residents
Not everyone supports the idea. Rosemary Jamieson spoke to councillors on behalf of those who are against the project.
“The group she represents have been ‘steadfast in their opposition to this project.’” – (Jamieson)
Stephanie Potter, Norfolk’s manager of corporate initiatives, explained that while the project has gained strong community interest, it has also created division.
Concerns include increased noise, traffic, parking issues, and environmental impact due to the courts’ proximity to conservation land. The sound of paddles hitting balls has been raised as a specific issue, especially when courts are near homes.
Compromises and Alternatives Discussed
To help address concerns, the committee agreed to reduce the original plan from three courts to two and install sound barriers. Johnson said the change and the sound screens are a “good compromise for the concerned neighbours” and will “make pickleball the quietest activity at our park.”
Jamieson proposed a different idea: multi-use courts that could be shared by pickleball, tennis, and basketball players.
“This would definitely be a more inclusive plan, which would appeal to a larger demographic. And rather than cause divisiveness in our lakeside community, this would bring many more people together.” – (Jamieson)
Funding, Ownership, and Timeline
The total cost of building the courts is about $173,000. Norfolk County would contribute $120,000, and the remaining amount would come from the pickleball committee and in-kind contractor donations. Johnson said the committee has already secured $43,000 in contractor support.
Once completed, the courts will be owned and operated by the county. Ongoing costs are estimated at $7,000 annually for operations and $18,000 for lifecycle maintenance. Potter mentioned that construction could begin in the second quarter of 2025 but might be delayed to avoid the peak tourist season.
The Bigger Picture
Norfolk County currently has 19 places to play pickleball, but none of them are built specifically for the sport. Councillor Chris VanPaassen emphasized the importance of having proper courts.
“We’ve got masking tape in our community centres. We’ve got some tennis courts with extra lines painted on them and basketball surfaces with extra lines painted on, but what we don’t have are any dedicated pickleball courts with the right dimensions, size and lines.” – (VanPaassen)
“I think (the committee) has done a good job of the balancing act between getting something new for some with the least amount of problems for others.” – (VanPaassen)
News in Brief: Turkey Point Pickleball Courts Plan
Norfolk County councillors have approved in principle the construction of two dedicated pickleball courts in Turkey Point Park. The $173,000 project will be partially funded by the county and local residents. Final approval is expected later this month, with construction possibly starting this spring.
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