McKinnon Park Pickleball Court Project: The Royal Canadian Legion Caledonia Branch 154 is spearheading the construction of new pickleball courts at McKinnon Park to ease conflicts over court time between tennis and pickleball players. The project broke ground last week, with completion expected by late October.
Funding and Community Support
Ron Winegard, a Caledonia businessperson, approached past legion president Brian Haggith in spring 2024 to raise funds for a four-court pickleball complex. The legion contributed $40,000 in seed money. Corporate and individual donations raised $275,000 of the estimated $450,000 cost.
Additional funds include a $157,500 grant from Haldimand’s Community Partnership Program and $50,000 from Coun. Dan Lawrence’s ward fund, bringing total funding to $482,000.
“I was very impressed, because it’s a large amount of money,” said Brian Haggith. “The community supported the legion in doing this.”
Design and Construction
Over the next two months, an unused soccer pitch at McKinnon Park will be transformed into four fenced-in pickleball courts and a practice pad, with windscreens, shaded seating, lighting for evening play, and a paved accessible pathway from the parking lot.
The courts will be built about 200 feet from nearby homes to reduce noise, with trees providing a natural buffer. Spencer Garrett, president of Court Surfaces Specialists Ltd., said players could use the new courts by late October if weather permits.
The facility will be named the “Royal Canadian Legion-Caledonia Branch 154 Pickleball Courts.” Seven commemorative benches will honor the branch’s original members, including Winegard’s grandfather, former town reeve William Winegard.
Community Impact
The new courts address a growing local need. Haldimand has a 300-member pickleball group that currently travels to Brantford and Brant County to play due to limited local space. Nearby students from the high school and two elementary schools may also use the courts.
Coun. Dan Lawrence said, “Ron and Brian took the bull by the horns and I was just glad to contribute any little way that I could.”
Brian Haggith added, “We wanted to have something that would be here permanently to recognize the work that the members of this legion have done.”
The addition provides a long-term recreational option while continuing nearly a century of community service by the Caledonia legion.
News in Brief: McKinnon Park Pickleball Court Project
The Royal Canadian Legion Caledonia Branch 154 is building four pickleball courts at McKinnon Park to meet growing demand. With $482,000 raised from donations, grants, and council funds, construction begins on an unused soccer pitch. The courts will include shaded seating, lighting, and a practice area for local players and students.
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