Pickleball Courts in Dayspring: The District of Lunenburg has announced a new plan to build six outdoor pickleball courts at the Municipal Activity and Recreation Centre (MARC) in Dayspring. The project now has an updated estimated cost of $555,000 after earlier bids were rejected for being too expensive. Construction will be carried out in partnership with the South Shore Pickleball Club.
Lower Budget, Same Goal
In 2023, the council had set aside $800,000 for the project. But when bids came in at $1.45 million and $1.8 million, both were turned down. The council then decided to work with the South Shore Pickleball Club to cut costs without removing the main features.
Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile said, “We heard loud and clear how important this facility is to our residents. While last year’s bids were far beyond what we could responsibly commit to, we didn’t give up. Thanks to the dedication of our staff and the incredible support and partnership of the South Shore Pickleball Club, we now have a plan that gets the project done without exceeding our financial limits.”
Community Support and Future Use
The new plan expects to receive $150,000 in grant funding. The District of Lunenburg says its share, including lease payments over 15 years, will be under $300,000. The courts will be fully accessible and will include public use and time for municipal programs.
Jared Uhlman, president of the South Shore Pickleball Club, said, “The construction of these courts will be the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration. We’re also excited for these courts to serve as a catalyst for introducing many new players to North America’s fastest-growing sport.”
Once built, the club will manage and maintain the courts. Scheduled hours will allow open play and programs run by the municipality.
What Comes Next
The courts are expected to serve people of all ages and skill levels. They will give more residents a chance to enjoy one of the most popular and fast-growing sports.
The District of Lunenburg will share more updates about the construction schedule and other project details once plans are finalized.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts in Dayspring
The District of Lunenburg will build six new pickleball courts in Dayspring after lowering project costs to $555,000. Partnering with the South Shore Pickleball Club, the courts will be run by the club and open to the public. More details will be announced as construction timelines are finalized.
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